The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Note 12P and the Xiaomi Redmi 10C. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C takes the crown. Its superior Snapdragon 680 chipset, faster charging, and generally more refined software experience outweigh the Ulefone Note 12P's potential strengths. While both are budget options, the Redmi 10C offers a more polished and performant package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 25 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 25 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 173.6 x 79.1 x 10.2 mm (6.83 x 3.11 x 0.40 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 237 g (8.36 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 7700 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | - | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 130 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Note 12P
- Potentially lower price
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Weaker processor
- Slow charging
- Less refined software
- Lower camera quality
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Better camera system
- Smoother software experience
- FHD+ Display (likely)
- May be slightly more expensive
- LCD display (not OLED)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, typically around 6.5 inches. The Redmi 10C often boasts a slightly higher resolution (typically FHD+) and potentially better color accuracy, though both are LCD panels. Viewing angles and brightness are likely comparable, adequate for everyday use but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 10C generally offers a more versatile camera system, often including a higher resolution main sensor (typically 50MP) and potentially better image processing. While both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting, the Redmi 10C is likely to produce more detailed and vibrant photos. Low-light performance will likely be better on the Redmi 10C as well.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 10C shines. The Snapdragon 680 is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc SC9863A. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 10C. The Ulefone Note 12P may struggle with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones typically feature batteries around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the Redmi 10C's 18W fast charging provides a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups compared to the Ulefone Note 12P's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Note 12P might appeal to users prioritizing a larger screen and potentially a slightly lower price point (depending on retailer). However, the Xiaomi Redmi 10C is the better choice for most, especially those seeking reliable performance, faster charging, and a smoother user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Ulefone Note 12P good for gaming?
The Ulefone Note 12P's processor isn't ideal for demanding games. You might experience lag and stuttering. The Redmi 10C is a much better choice for gaming.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Xiaomi generally provides better software updates and support than Ulefone. Expect longer software support for the Redmi 10C.
