The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Umidigi G3 Plus and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison will dissect those differences and determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C emerges as the better choice. Its MediaTek Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Umidigi G3 Plus’s Unisoc T606, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While both offer similar battery and charging capabilities, the Redmi 12C’s extra processing power makes it the more versatile option.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 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 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.7 x 8.8 mm (6.45 x 2.98 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) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~82.7% 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 | 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 | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Dual-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/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@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 | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5150 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, Dark Green, Lavender Purple | 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) |
Umidigi G3 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Slower processor compared to the Redmi 12C
- Less responsive user interface
- Limited gaming capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More powerful MediaTek Helio G85 chipset
- Smoother multitasking and app loading
- Better gaming performance
- Potentially improved camera image processing
- May be slightly more expensive than the Umidigi G3 Plus
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- Basic camera system
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on functionality. Without specific display specs, we can assume both offer standard 60Hz refresh rates. The real difference lies in the processing power needed to drive a smoother display, which the Redmi 12C is better equipped to handle if a future software update were to enable it.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both rely on primary sensors with modest resolutions. The Redmi 12C’s image processing pipeline, benefiting from MediaTek’s ISP, is likely more refined than Umidigi’s, resulting in slightly better image quality in various lighting conditions. The presence of a dedicated camera ISP in the Helio G85 allows for faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The often-included 2MP macro lenses on both devices are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core differentiator between these two phones is their chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 12C’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) features a CPU clocked up to 2.0 GHz, utilizing two Cortex-A75 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores. This is a step up from the Umidigi G3 Plus’s Unisoc T606 (12nm), which tops out at 1.6 GHz with the same core configuration. The higher clock speeds on the Helio G85, particularly on the A75 cores, translate to faster application loading times and improved responsiveness. While both are 12nm chips, the Helio G85’s architecture is optimized for gaming, offering a more fluid experience in less demanding titles. The G85 also has a more powerful GPU, further enhancing its gaming capabilities.
Battery Life
Both the Umidigi G3 Plus and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C are equipped with 10W wired charging. This is a slow charging standard by today’s standards, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time. Without knowing the battery capacity of the G3 Plus, it’s difficult to definitively say which phone offers better battery life. However, the Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C is generally more power-efficient than the Unisoc T606, potentially offsetting any capacity differences. Users should expect all-day battery life with moderate usage on both devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G3 Plus if you prioritize a slightly less expensive entry point and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you want a phone that can handle more demanding applications, occasional gaming, and a generally snappier experience without breaking the bank. The Redmi 12C is the better all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 12C handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Redmi 12C’s Helio G85 chipset is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to play at lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Don’t expect a flagship gaming experience, but it’s certainly playable for casual gamers. The Umidigi G3 Plus will struggle with these titles.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either phone from 0%?
With both phones utilizing 10W charging, expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours. This is a relatively slow charging speed, so it’s best to charge overnight or during periods of inactivity. Neither phone supports fast charging technologies.
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 chipset in the Umidigi G3 Plus sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is adequate for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and messaging. However, you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns when multitasking or opening multiple apps. The Redmi 12C offers a significantly smoother experience for these tasks.
❓ Does the Redmi 12C have any software features that the Umidigi G3 Plus lacks?
Xiaomi’s MIUI software, running on the Redmi 12C, typically includes features like game mode, app cloning, and a more robust set of customization options compared to the likely stock Android experience on the Umidigi G3 Plus. These features can enhance the user experience.
