The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up. The Umidigi G100, leveraging the Unisoc T615, aims to deliver affordability, while the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, promises a more refined experience. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, built on a more efficient 4nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better thermal management compared to the Umidigi G100’s Unisoc T615. While the G100 offers slightly faster 20W charging, the Redmi 12 5G’s overall package is more compelling.
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December | 2023, August 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 28 | Available. Released 2023, August 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass) |
| Dimensions | 171 x 77.6 x 8.1 mm (6.73 x 3.06 x 0.32 in) | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 113.1 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T615 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Unspecified |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rock Black, Interstellar Blue, Lake Green, Starry White | Jade Black, Pastel Blue, Moonstone Silver |
| Models | - | 23076RN4BI, 23076RN8DY, 2AFZZRN8DY |
| Price | About 110 EUR | € 104.09 / ₹ 15,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Umidigi G100
- Faster 20W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Unisoc chipset offers a different experience for those seeking alternatives to Qualcomm
- Less powerful Unisoc T615 chipset
- 12nm process leads to higher heat and potential throttling
- Likely inferior image processing
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
- 4nm process for better efficiency and thermal management
- Qualcomm’s optimized software and ISP
- PD charging support
- Slightly slower 18W charging
- May be marginally more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) necessitates focusing on the chipset impact on UI smoothness. The Redmi 12 5G’s more powerful GPU will contribute to a more fluid scrolling experience, even if the panel itself is similar.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) plays a crucial role. Qualcomm’s ISPs are generally more sophisticated, offering better noise reduction, dynamic range, and image processing capabilities. While both phones likely feature a primary camera and several auxiliary lenses (potentially including a 2MP macro), the Redmi 12 5G will likely produce more consistently pleasing images, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The G100’s ISP will likely struggle to keep up with the Snapdragon’s processing power.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the Umidigi G100’s Unisoc T615 (12nm). The 4nm process node translates to superior power efficiency and reduced heat generation, allowing the Snapdragon to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Redmi 12 5G also offer a substantial architectural advantage over the Cortex-A75 cores in the G100, resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance. This impacts everything from app launch times to multitasking and gaming.
Battery Life
The Umidigi G100’s 20W wired charging is slightly faster than the Redmi 12 5G’s 18W charging with Power Delivery (PD). However, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2’s superior power efficiency means the Redmi 12 5G will likely offer comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar or smaller battery capacity. The 4nm process significantly reduces power consumption during both active use and standby.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G100 if you prioritize maximizing charging speed and are comfortable with potentially lower sustained performance during demanding tasks. It’s a viable option for very light users. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, better long-term performance, and the benefits of Qualcomm’s optimized software ecosystem. It’s the superior choice for everyday use and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Umidigi G100 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T615 is not designed for demanding gaming. While PUBG Mobile may be playable at lower settings, expect noticeable frame drops and potential overheating during extended sessions. The Redmi 12 5G’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 will provide a significantly smoother and more stable gaming experience.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
While Xiaomi doesn't explicitly advertise carrier aggregation support for the Redmi 12 5G, Qualcomm chipsets generally support it. This means you may experience faster 5G download and upload speeds in areas with carrier aggregation enabled, compared to the Umidigi G100 which may have limited 5G capabilities.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the Umidigi G100 significantly faster in real-world use?
While 20W is faster than 18W, the difference in charging time from 0-100% will likely be minimal – perhaps 15-20 minutes. The Redmi 12 5G’s PD support also allows for compatibility with a wider range of chargers.
