The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Tecno Spark 8C 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 8C thanks to its slightly more powerful Helio G85 chipset, faster charging, and generally better software experience. While both are solid budget options, the Redmi 12C provides a more polished and performant package.
| 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 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 31 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.99 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 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 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 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), HiOS 7.6 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 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 | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED lash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | 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 | Turquoise, Magnet Black, Iris Purple, Diamond Gray | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | KG5k, KG5j, KG5n, MZ-TECNO KG5k | 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 8C
- Large Display
- Long Battery Life
- Affordable Price
- Slower Performance
- Slow Charging
- Less Refined Software
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Better Performance (Helio G85)
- Faster Charging (10W)
- Refined MIUI Software
- Good Value
- Slightly Smaller Display
- Battery life slightly less than Spark 8C
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.6-inch displays, but the Redmi 12C often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Spark 8C's display might be a bit more vibrant, but the Redmi 12C's panel generally offers a more pleasing viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is comparable, with both phones offering decent image quality in good lighting conditions. The Redmi 12C might have a slight edge in low-light scenarios due to its more capable processor and image processing algorithms. Both phones typically include a main camera around 50MP and a depth sensor.
Performance
The Redmi 12C's Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Spark 8C's Unisoc T606. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 12C. The Spark 8C is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Tecno Spark 8C often boasts a larger battery capacity (typically 5000mAh), potentially offering slightly longer battery life under moderate usage. However, the Redmi 12C's 10W charging support provides a faster charging experience compared to the Spark 8C's slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark 8C is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display and extended battery life on a tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking a smoother performance, faster charging, and a more refined user interface, even if it means a slightly smaller screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G85 chipset.
❓ Does the Tecno Spark 8C have fast charging?
No, the Tecno Spark 8C typically has slower charging speeds compared to the Redmi 12C's 10W charging.
❓ Which phone has a better camera?
While both are decent, the Redmi 12C generally produces slightly better photos, especially in low light.
❓ Which phone offers better value for money?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C offers better overall value due to its improved performance and faster charging, despite a similar price point.
