The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the ZTE Blade A34 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices: the Unisoc SC9863A in the Blade A34 and the MediaTek Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which device offers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and occasional gaming, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C is the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, delivers noticeably improved CPU and GPU performance compared to the ZTE Blade A34’s Unisoc SC9863A. While the Blade A34 may offer slightly better efficiency in very light tasks, the Redmi 12C’s performance advantage outweighs this.
| 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 | LTE | 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 | 2024, February | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, March | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.46 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) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.2% 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 (Go edition) | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 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 | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Gray | 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) |
ZTE Blade A34
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer slightly longer standby time with minimal use
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly weaker CPU and GPU performance
- Less efficient chipset (28nm)
- Likely to struggle with multitasking and demanding apps
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More powerful Helio G85 chipset
- More efficient 12nm process
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking
- Faster app loading times
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- May be slightly more expensive than the Blade A34
- Potentially slightly shorter standby time
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, the lack of detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) necessitates focusing on the chipset's impact on UI smoothness. A more powerful chipset like the Helio G85 can better handle rendering the UI, resulting in a more fluid experience, even on a basic display.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The Redmi 12C likely benefits from MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP) which generally offers better image processing capabilities than those found in Unisoc chipsets. This could translate to slightly better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a more powerful chipset in the Redmi 12C also aids in faster image processing and potentially better video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) in the Redmi 12C features a more modern architecture with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) in the Blade A34, which uses 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Helio G85’s A75 cores provide a significant performance boost in single-core tasks and are more capable in handling demanding applications. The 12nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, meaning less heat generation and potentially more sustained performance. The Unisoc chip, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with multitasking and graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified, but the Unisoc SC9863A’s 28nm process is less efficient than the Helio G85’s 12nm process. While the Blade A34 *might* exhibit slightly longer standby times due to its less powerful chipset, the Redmi 12C’s 10W charging and more efficient processor will likely result in comparable, or even better, real-world battery life with moderate usage. The Helio G85’s ability to complete tasks faster also means less time spent with the screen on, further contributing to battery savings.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A34 if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and you prioritize potentially longer battery life during minimal usage. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you want a more responsive experience for everyday tasks, enjoy occasional mobile gaming, and value a chipset with more headroom for future software updates and app compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 12C be able to run popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to play at lower graphics settings (Medium or Low) to maintain a stable frame rate. The Unisoc SC9863A in the Blade A34 will struggle significantly with these titles, even at the lowest settings.
❓ Does the Redmi 12C's 10W charging feel slow in everyday use?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take around 3-4 hours. However, the Helio G85's efficiency means you won't be constantly needing to top up the battery, mitigating the impact of the slow charging speed.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A chipset likely to receive software updates and security patches for a long period?
Historically, Unisoc chipsets have had a less consistent track record for long-term software support compared to MediaTek or Qualcomm. The ZTE Blade A34 may receive fewer software updates and security patches over its lifespan than the Xiaomi Redmi 12C.
❓ For someone who primarily uses their phone for WhatsApp, Facebook, and browsing, is the Redmi 12C overkill?
While the Blade A34 *can* handle those tasks, the Redmi 12C provides a smoother and more responsive experience even for basic usage. The extra processing power ensures apps load faster and multitasking is less laggy, making it a more pleasant experience overall, even if you don't push the phone's limits.
