The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Tecno Spark 7 Pro and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C edges out the Tecno Spark 7 Pro thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset (Helio G85 vs G80), faster charging, and generally more refined software experience. While both are solid budget options, the Redmi 12C offers a bit more polish.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 27 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 28 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76.2 x 8.8 mm (6.49 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.5 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 48 MP, PDAF
Secondary unknown camera
Third unknown camera | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Alps Blue, Spruce Green, Neon Dream, Magnet Black | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | - | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | - | £ 132.99 / € 107.41 |
| SAR | - | 1.08 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Spark 7 Pro
- Larger Display (often FHD+)
- Decent Camera for the Price
- Good Battery Life
- Slower Charging
- Less Powerful Processor
- Software can be Bloated
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Slightly More Powerful Processor (Helio G85)
- Faster Charging (10W)
- Generally Smoother Software Experience
- Good Value for Money
- Lower Display Resolution (often HD+)
- Camera Performance Can Be Inconsistent
- Design May Be Less Appealing to Some
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, typically around 6.6 inches. The Tecno Spark 7 Pro often boasts a slightly higher resolution (typically FHD+) compared to the Redmi 12C (often HD+), resulting in a sharper image. However, panel quality (color accuracy, brightness) can vary, and neither phone excels in this area. Expect decent viewing experiences for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
The Tecno Spark 7 Pro often features a higher megapixel count on its main camera (typically 48MP vs 50MP on the Redmi 12C), but megapixels aren't everything. Image processing and sensor size play a crucial role. Both phones offer decent camera performance in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light. Video recording capabilities are similar, with both capable of 1080p recording.
Performance
The Redmi 12C holds a slight advantage here. While both utilize Mediatek Helio processors, the G85 in the Redmi 12C is generally considered a bit more powerful than the G80 in the Spark 7 Pro. This translates to slightly smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance, though neither is a powerhouse.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is generally comparable, often around 5000mAh on both devices. However, the Redmi 12C's 10W wired charging provides a noticeable advantage over the Spark 7 Pro's likely slower charging speed (often 5W or 7.5W). This means the Redmi 12C will charge faster.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark 7 Pro is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display and a decent camera for the price. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking a smoother overall experience, slightly better performance, and faster charging in a similarly priced package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C's slightly more powerful Helio G85 chipset gives it a slight edge for gaming, although neither phone is designed for demanding titles.
❓ Does the Tecno Spark 7 Pro have NFC?
NFC availability varies by region for the Tecno Spark 7 Pro. Check the specific model's specifications for your area.
❓ What is the software experience like on each phone?
The Redmi 12C generally offers a cleaner and more streamlined software experience, while the Spark 7 Pro's HiOS can be more heavily customized and sometimes include bloatware.
