The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the vivo Y16 and the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C edges out the vivo Y16 thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio G85 chipset, resulting in smoother performance for gaming and everyday tasks. While both offer decent battery life and basic cameras, the Redmi 12C's processing power makes it the more compelling choice for most users.
| 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, 8, 40 | 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 | 2022, September 01 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 01 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.6 x 8.2 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.32 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) |
| | Splashproof | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.5% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 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 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | 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 | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | 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 wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Drizzling Gold, Stellar Black | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | V2204, V2214 | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 120 EUR | £ 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) |
vivo Y16
- Compact and lightweight design
- Clean and simple user interface
- Decent battery life
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging
- Average camera performance
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More powerful chipset (Helio G85)
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking
- Good value for money
- MIUI can be cluttered
- Slow charging
- Average camera performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for media consumption. However, the Redmi 12C often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Xiaomi's display tuning. The Y16's display is generally considered acceptable but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a dual-camera setup with a primary sensor around 13MP. Image quality is generally comparable in good lighting conditions, producing acceptable but not outstanding photos. Low-light performance is weak on both devices. The Redmi 12C might offer slightly better image processing due to its more powerful chipset.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12C truly shines. The Helio G85 chipset is a noticeable upgrade over the Y16's Helio P35. Expect smoother app loading, better multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi 12C. The Y16 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, which is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect around 8-10 hours of screen-on time on either device.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y16 is a good option for users prioritizing a clean, simple interface and a slightly more compact design. The Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking better performance for multitasking, gaming, and general responsiveness, even on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G85 chipset. The vivo Y16 struggles with demanding games.
❓ Do both phones have NFC?
NFC availability varies by region. Check the specific model number and retailer listing to confirm NFC support for either phone.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
Both phones typically come in configurations of 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
