The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) and Realme C55 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key aspects to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C55 edges out the Redmi Note 12 thanks to its brighter display, faster charging, and impressive battery endurance. While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 offers a slight CPU advantage, the Realme's overall package provides a more polished and user-friendly experience for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 27 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 01 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Samsung AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 13 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | 22101317C | RMX3710 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | ₹ 8,399 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 257263 (v9)
GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6)
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China)
- Slightly more modern chipset (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Potentially better primary camera sensor (based on general knowledge)
- Compact design (assumed)
- Less bright display
- Slower charging
- Potentially less optimized software
Realme C55
- Brighter display (659 nits)
- Faster charging (50% in 29 min)
- Excellent battery life (123h endurance)
- Stylish design (generally)
- Older chipset (Helio G88)
- Potentially less refined camera processing
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 boasts a significantly brighter display with a measured peak brightness of 659 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight. Both phones have a 1264:1 contrast ratio, indicating good image depth. The Redmi Note 12's display is likely adequate, but the Realme's is noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are described simply as 'Photo / Video', making a direct comparison difficult. General knowledge suggests the Redmi Note 12 might have a slightly better primary sensor, but the Realme C55's image processing could compensate. Testing would be needed for a definitive verdict.
Performance
The Redmi Note 12's Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, built on a 6nm process, theoretically offers better efficiency and potentially slightly improved performance compared to the Realme C55's Helio G88 (12nm). However, real-world performance differences are likely to be minimal for everyday tasks. Gaming performance will be similar on both devices.
Battery Life
The Realme C55 shines in this category with an impressive endurance rating of 123 hours. While the Redmi Note 12's battery capacity is likely similar, the Realme's optimization and potentially more efficient chipset contribute to its superior battery life. The Realme C55 also charges faster, reaching 50% in just 29 minutes.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 (China) is ideal for users prioritizing raw processing power and a slightly more modern chipset. The Realme C55 is a better choice for those who value a vibrant display, long battery life, and faster charging speeds, making it perfect for everyday use and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones offer adequate gaming performance for casual titles. The Redmi Note 12's slightly more powerful chipset might provide a marginal advantage in demanding games, but the difference is unlikely to be significant.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12's chipset worth the extra cost?
Not significantly. The performance gains are minimal in everyday use, and the Realme C55 offers a more well-rounded package with a better display and battery life.
