The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the ZTE Blade A75 4G and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches, with ZTE opting for a Unisoc chipset and Xiaomi leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon series. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 685, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better thermal management compared to the ZTE’s Unisoc T606. While both offer similar battery endurance, the Redmi Note 12 4G’s faster 33W charging is a significant convenience.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, July 10 | 2023, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July | Available. Released 2023, March 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 183.5 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Basalt Black, Aqua Green, Marble White | Onyx Gray, Mint Green, Ice Blue |
| Models | Z2359 | 23021RAAEG, 23021RAA2Y, 23027RAD4I, 23028RA60L |
| Price | About 110 EUR | £ 189.99 / € 107.98 / ₹ 9,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.9 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 319219 (v9)
GeekBench: 1797 (v5.1), 1341 (v6)
GFXBench: 7.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A75 4G
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Acceptable battery life for basic usage.
- Functional for essential smartphone tasks.
- Less powerful Unisoc T606 chipset.
- Slower 22.5W charging.
- Display brightness likely inferior to the Redmi Note 12 4G.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 685 chipset.
- Faster 33W wired charging.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Slightly higher price point.
- May not offer a dramatically different camera experience.
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations.
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 744 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the ZTE Blade A75 4G. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are described as having an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for IPS LCDs), the Redmi Note 12 4G’s superior brightness is a clear advantage. Details regarding the panel technology (e.g., PWM dimming frequency) for the ZTE are unavailable, making it difficult to assess its suitability for users sensitive to flicker.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Redmi Note 12 4G’s overall focus on delivering a more refined experience, it’s reasonable to assume its image processing algorithms are more sophisticated. The inclusion of features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) – if present – would further enhance the Redmi Note 12 4G’s photographic capabilities. The ZTE Blade A75 4G likely relies on software enhancements to compensate for potentially less capable hardware.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm) offers a more modern architecture and fabrication process than the ZTE Blade A75 4G’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The Snapdragon 685 utilizes Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.8 GHz, providing a substantial performance uplift over the A75 cores in the Unisoc T606, which are clocked at 1.6 GHz. The 6nm process also contributes to improved power efficiency, meaning the Redmi Note 12 4G is likely to maintain performance for longer under sustained loads. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural advantages of the Snapdragon 685 are significant.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G’s 33W wired charging significantly outperforms the ZTE Blade A75 4G’s 22.5W charging. This translates to faster top-ups, reducing downtime. While both will likely last a full day for average users, the Redmi Note 12 4G offers the convenience of quicker charging when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A75 4G if you prioritize a slightly lower initial cost and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G if you value smoother performance for multitasking, occasional gaming, a brighter display, and faster charging speeds – all without a substantial price premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 685 in the Redmi Note 12 4G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 685 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it offers a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G with the 33W charger?
While Xiaomi claims fast charging, a full 0-100% charge with the included 33W charger typically takes around 60-75 minutes. This is significantly faster than the ZTE Blade A75 4G's 22.5W charging, which could take over 2 hours.
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the ZTE Blade A75 4G sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is perfectly adequate for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and messaging. However, you may experience some lag when multitasking or running more demanding applications.
❓ Does either phone support NFC for contactless payments?
Information regarding NFC support is not provided in the context data. However, based on market trends for phones in this price range, it's likely that only the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G offers NFC functionality. Check the specific model variant before purchasing.
