The Ulefone Note 16 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi 12C represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a low price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money, focusing on performance and longevity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and slightly better gaming, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C is the stronger choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, with higher clocked Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage. However, the Ulefone Note 16 Pro boasts impressive battery endurance, making it ideal for users who prioritize longevity over raw speed.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 30 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 30 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.4 x 8.7 mm (6.50 x 3.01 x 0.34 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 | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | 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 13 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4400 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Violet, Serenity Blue, Meteorite 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) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 40:15h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class C (98 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Ulefone Note 16 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (40:15h endurance)
- Potentially longer battery lifespan (1000 charge cycles)
- Efficient Unisoc T606 chipset
- Slower CPU performance compared to Redmi 12C
- Less capable for gaming
- 10W charging is slow
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Faster CPU performance (Helio G85)
- Better gaming performance
- More responsive user experience
- Shorter battery life compared to Ulefone Note 16 Pro
- 10W charging is slow
- Potentially faster battery degradation
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Detailed display specs (resolution, brightness, color gamut) are unavailable, but the focus here is on internal performance. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing cost reduction over premium aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices relying on budget sensors and image processing. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. Focusing on the main sensor’s capabilities is more relevant, but details are missing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C’s MediaTek Helio G85 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, compared to the Ulefone Note 16 Pro’s Unisoc T606 with 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This 0.4 GHz clock speed difference, coupled with the slightly faster Cortex-A55 cores (1.8 GHz vs 1.6 GHz), translates to a tangible performance boost for the Redmi 12C in CPU-intensive tasks. While both utilize a 12nm process, the Helio G85’s architecture is optimized for gaming, offering a smoother experience in titles like PUBG Mobile. The Ulefone’s T606 prioritizes efficiency, contributing to its superior battery life.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Note 16 Pro shines in battery endurance, boasting a claimed 40:15h of usage. This is likely due to the more efficient Unisoc T606 chipset and potentially a larger battery capacity (though not specified). Both phones feature 10W charging, meaning slow charging speeds – expect several hours to reach a full charge. The Ulefone’s 1000 charge cycle claim suggests a focus on long-term battery health, potentially mitigating degradation over time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 16 Pro if you need a phone that can reliably last through a full day – and beyond – on a single charge, and your usage primarily consists of basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you prefer a snappier user experience, enjoy occasional mobile gaming, and don't mind charging your phone more frequently. The Redmi 12C is better suited for users who value responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 12C struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Helio G85 can handle some gaming, Genshin Impact is likely to require significant graphics settings reductions and may still experience frame drops. It's best suited for less demanding titles or playing at lower settings.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Ulefone Note 16 Pro with the 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging rate and the likely battery capacity (estimated to be around 5000mAh), expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours. This is typical for phones in this price range.
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 chipset a reliable option for everyday tasks?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is perfectly capable of handling everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and calling. It prioritizes efficiency, which contributes to the Ulefone Note 16 Pro's excellent battery life, but it's not designed for intensive workloads.
❓ Does the Redmi 12C support fast charging, or is 10W the maximum?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C officially supports only 10W charging. There are no provisions for faster charging protocols, so you won't see any benefit from using a more powerful charger.
