Xiaomi's budget phone lineup is incredibly competitive, making it tough to choose. The Poco C51 and Redmi 12C are two popular contenders offering affordability and essential features. But which one delivers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi 12C emerges as the clear winner. While both are budget options, the Helio G85 chipset in the Redmi 12C provides a noticeable performance boost over the C51's G36. Both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, but the Redmi 12C's superior processing power makes it the better choice.
| 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, 41 | 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, April 07 | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 13 | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 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 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 (Go edition), MIUI | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Power Black, Royal Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | MZB0E6DIN, MZB0DXKIN, 2302EPCC4I, 2305EPCC4G, 2302EPCC4H | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 100 EUR | £ 132.99 / € 107.41 |
| SAR | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body) | 1.08 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Poco C51
- Extremely affordable
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging
- Low resolution display
- Basic camera
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Better performance (Helio G85)
- Slightly better camera
- Good battery life
- Larger display
- Slow charging
- Low resolution display
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.71-inch HD+ (1600 x 720) IPS LCD display. While the resolution is low for modern standards, it's typical for this price range. Expect similar viewing experiences in terms of color accuracy and brightness, though the Redmi 12C might have a slightly better panel due to potential manufacturing refinements.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 12C generally offers a slightly better camera experience. While both typically feature a 50MP main sensor and a depth sensor, the G85's image signal processor (ISP) allows for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. Expect slightly more detailed and vibrant photos from the Redmi 12C.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 12C shines. The Mediatek Helio G85 is significantly more powerful than the Helio G36. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better experience with casual games on the Redmi 12C. The Poco C51 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are identical at 10W wired, meaning charging will take a considerable amount of time.
Buying Guide
The Poco C51 is a decent option for users prioritizing basic functionality and extremely tight budgets. The Redmi 12C is ideal for those seeking a smoother user experience, better gaming performance, and a slightly more capable camera, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco C51 good for gaming?
The Poco C51's Helio G36 chipset is not ideal for gaming. It can handle very basic games, but you'll likely experience lag and low frame rates in more demanding titles.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both phones run Xiaomi's MIUI, and software support is generally good. However, the Redmi 12C, being a slightly newer model, might receive updates for a longer period.
