The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the ZTE Blade A54 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 A54 and the MediaTek Helio G85 in the Redmi 12C. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 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 A54’s Unisoc SC9863A. While the Blade A54 is functional, the Redmi 12C offers a smoother overall experience.
| 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 | 2023, September | 2022, December 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2023, January 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 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, 90Hz | 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 | Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 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 | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (interpolated to 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Lilac | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple |
| Models | - | 22120RN86G, 22120RN86I, 22126RN91Y, 2212ARNC4L |
| Price | About 90 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) |
ZTE Blade A54
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- May offer longer software support (ZTE's history)
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Less efficient chipset (higher power consumption)
- Likely slower app launch times
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
- More powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Better CPU and GPU performance
- More efficient 12nm process
- Smoother user experience
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- May have less software support than ZTE
- Potentially slightly higher price
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 impact on UI smoothness. A more powerful chipset like the Helio G85 can better handle rendering animations and transitions, resulting in a perceived improvement in display responsiveness, even on a similar panel.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature entry-level camera systems. The Redmi 12C likely benefits from MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally offers better noise reduction and dynamic range compared to Unisoc’s ISP. The presence of a larger sensor (if any) would be a significant advantage, but this information is unavailable. Focusing on computational photography, the Helio G85’s ISP is more likely to deliver acceptable image quality in various lighting conditions.
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 A54, which uses 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 12nm process node of the Helio G85 is significantly more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. The Cortex-A75 cores in the Redmi 12C provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for app launch times and general responsiveness. The Unisoc chip, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Redmi 12C includes 10W wired charging, a standard offering in this price range. While the battery capacity isn't specified for either device, the more efficient Helio G85 chipset in the Redmi 12C will likely translate to longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Blade A54. The 12nm process node consumes less power, extending usage time between charges. The 10W charging will result in relatively slow charging speeds for both devices, but the efficiency gain of the Helio G85 could slightly offset this.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A54 if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing, and are on an extremely tight budget. Its primary strength is its affordability. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you prefer a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional mobile gaming, or value slightly faster performance for everyday apps. The Helio G85 provides a tangible upgrade in processing power.
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 A54 will struggle with these titles, even at the lowest settings.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Redmi 12C a significant drawback?
10W charging is slow by modern standards, taking around 3-4 hours for a full charge. However, the Redmi 12C's more efficient chipset means you won't need to charge it as frequently, mitigating the impact of the slow charging speed. The Blade A54, with its less efficient chip, may require more frequent charging despite potentially similar capacity.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses their phone for WhatsApp, Facebook, and web browsing?
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is still the better choice, even for basic usage. The Helio G85 provides a smoother and more responsive experience when navigating social media apps and web pages. The Blade A54 will function, but you may notice occasional lag or slowdowns.
