The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Tecno Spark Power 2 and the Realme C12 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Spark Power 2 prioritizing battery capacity and the C12 focusing on a slightly more powerful processor. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and light gaming, the Realme C12 is the better choice. Its Helio G35 chipset, with its higher clock speeds, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Tecno Spark Power 2’s Helio P22. While the Spark Power 2 offers faster charging, the C12’s performance boost is more impactful for daily use.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 17. Released 2020, June 23 | 2020, August 14. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 174.9 x 79.6 x 9.2 mm (6.89 x 3.13 x 0.36 in) | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~256 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 116.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
5 MP, 115˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP B/W, f/2.4
2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, 50% in 60 min | 10W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ice Jadeite, Misty Grey, Fascinating Purple | Marine Blue, Coral Red, Silver, Power Blue, Power Silver |
| Models | LC8 | RMX2189 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.80 W/kg (body) | - |
Tecno Spark Power 2
- Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Likely larger battery capacity for extended use.
- Potentially better battery life due to optimized power management.
- Less powerful Helio P22 processor results in slower performance.
- May struggle with multitasking and demanding apps.
- Likely less responsive user interface.
Realme C12
- More powerful Helio G35 processor for smoother performance.
- Faster application launch times and improved responsiveness.
- Better suited for light gaming and multitasking.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the Tecno Spark Power 2.
- May require more frequent charging.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both utilize standard LCD panels, and detailed specifications like resolution and brightness are not provided. However, given the price point, users should expect 720p+ resolution. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather on functional usability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature. Color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment, meaning it won't be suitable for color-critical work.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are unavailable, but it’s safe to assume both devices feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Given the market segment, expect a primary sensor around 13MP, potentially accompanied by auxiliary lenses of limited utility (like a 2MP depth sensor). Image processing will likely prioritize scene recognition and basic enhancements over nuanced detail. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means low-light performance will be limited. The Realme C12 may have a slight edge due to the more powerful ISP within the Helio G35, potentially leading to slightly better image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C12’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm) features an octa-core configuration split into 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This contrasts with the Tecno Spark Power 2’s Helio P22 (12nm) which utilizes a uniform octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. The G35’s higher peak clock speeds on its performance cores translate to a tangible improvement in application launch times and overall system responsiveness. While both use the same 12nm process, the G35’s architecture is more efficient for handling demanding tasks. The Realme C12 will offer a smoother experience when multitasking or playing less-intensive games.
Battery Life
The Tecno Spark Power 2’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Realme C12’s 10W charging. Tecno claims a 50% charge in 60 minutes, which is a respectable figure for this price range. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Spark Power 2’s emphasis on battery life suggests a larger capacity. However, the Realme C12’s more efficient processor may partially offset the capacity difference, resulting in comparable real-world battery endurance. The faster charging of the Spark Power 2 is ideal for users who need to quickly top up their phone.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark Power 2 if you absolutely need the fastest possible charging in this price bracket and prioritize extended battery life over raw performance. This phone is ideal for users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Realme C12 if you want a more responsive experience for everyday tasks and occasional gaming. The C12 is better suited for users who multitask, browse the web frequently, or enjoy casual mobile games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C12 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G35 in the Realme C12 can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to use low to medium graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it’s capable of casual gaming sessions. The Tecno Spark Power 2 will struggle more with demanding titles.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Tecno Spark Power 2 with the 18W charger?
Tecno claims a 50% charge in 60 minutes with the 18W charger. A full charge from 0% to 100% will likely take around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the Realme C12’s 10W charging.
❓ Is the difference in processor speed between the Helio G35 and Helio P22 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Realme C12 with the Helio G35 will feel snappier when opening apps, browsing the web, and switching between tasks. The Tecno Spark Power 2’s Helio P22 can feel sluggish in comparison, especially with multiple apps open.
