Looking for a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank? The Xiaomi Redmi 12C and Samsung Galaxy A04s are two popular contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04s edges out the Redmi 12C thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset, better display brightness, and faster charging. While the Redmi 12C offers a competitive price, the A04s provides a more refined overall experience.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 31 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 01 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | £ 132.99 / € 107.41 | € 133.89 |
| SAR | 1.08 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1614:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.3 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 145123(v9)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- Very affordable
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Expandable storage
- Slower performance
- Lower display brightness
- Slower charging
- Less versatile camera
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Better performance
- Brighter display
- Faster charging
- Potentially better camera versatility
- Samsung's One UI
- Slightly more expensive
- Design may be less appealing to some
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a slightly brighter display (389 nits vs Redmi 12C's estimated 350 nits) and while both have a 1614:1 contrast ratio, the A04s's panel generally offers better color accuracy and viewing angles. Both phones feature a large 6.5-inch display, making them suitable for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer decent camera capabilities for their price range. The Galaxy A04s typically has a more versatile camera setup, often including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially an ultrawide lens. The Redmi 12C's camera performance is adequate but may struggle in low-light conditions. Specific camera specs vary by region.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04s's Exynos 850 chipset (8nm) generally outperforms the Redmi 12C's Helio G85 (12nm) in everyday tasks and light gaming. While both have octa-core CPUs, the A04s's architecture and manufacturing process provide a noticeable performance advantage. The Redmi 12C's GPU is also slightly weaker.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A04s shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 114 hours. While the Redmi 12C has a decent battery capacity, the A04s's power efficiency gives it a significant edge. The A04s also supports 15W charging, compared to the Redmi 12C's slower 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is ideal for users prioritizing affordability and basic functionality. It's a great option for first-time smartphone users or those needing a secondary device. The Samsung Galaxy A04s is better suited for users who value a slightly better performance, brighter display, and faster charging, even at a slightly higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A04s generally offers better gaming performance due to its more powerful chipset.
❓ Is the Redmi 12C a good phone for basic use?
Yes, the Redmi 12C is a good option for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, especially if budget is a primary concern.
❓ Does the Galaxy A04s have expandable storage?
Yes, the Galaxy A04s typically supports microSD card expansion.
❓ Which phone has a better user interface?
Samsung's One UI on the Galaxy A04s is generally considered more polished and feature-rich than Xiaomi's MIUI on the Redmi 12C, although MIUI has improved significantly.
