Apple iPhone XR vs Xiaomi Redmi 12C
The Verdict
iPhone XR and Redmi 12C operate in completely different markets, making direct comparison challenging. Apple's flagship from 2018 delivers the A12 Bionic chipset with superior single-core performance, a compact 6.1-inch Liquid Retina display at 625 nits brightness, and proven iOS longevity. Its 12MP camera with optical image stabilization produces better computational photography despite lower megapixel count. However, the 2942 mAh battery feels constraining by today's standards. Xiaomi's budget contender counters with a massive 5000 mAh battery lasting 2 days easily, larger 6.71-inch screen, and impressive 50MP main sensor. Yet the MediaTek Helio G85 struggles against sustained gaming, 10W charging crawls, and plastic construction feels cheap. Display brightness at 400 nits appears dim indoors. At $119 versus $749, the Redmi 12C offers exceptional battery endurance and storage for budget buyers willing to compromise processing power and software updates. The iPhone XR remains superior for performance-demanding users and long-term software support. Budget shoppers should choose Redmi 12C; anyone needing reliability picks iPhone XR.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone XR if…
- →Best-selling iPhone of 2018-2019
- →Great battery life for the era
- →Six vibrant color options
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if…
- →Ultra-affordable at $119 for a functioning smartphone
- →Large 5000 mAh battery lasts multiple days with light use
- →50 MP main camera is decent for basic photography
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone XR
Pros
- Best-selling iPhone of 2018-2019
- Great battery life for the era
- Six vibrant color options
- Same A12 Bionic as the XS models
- More affordable entry into Face ID iPhones
Cons
- LCD display instead of OLED
- 720p-class resolution
- Single rear camera only
- Thicker bezels than XS
- Only 3 GB RAM
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
Pros
- Ultra-affordable at $119 for a functioning smartphone
- Large 5000 mAh battery lasts multiple days with light use
- 50 MP main camera is decent for basic photography
- Large 6.71-inch display for media consumption
- MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB for storage
Cons
- HD+ resolution is noticeably pixelated on the large screen
- Micro-USB port is obsolete — not USB-C
- Only 10W charging takes 4+ hours for a full charge
- No NFC for contactless payments
- Helio G85 struggles with anything beyond basic apps
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone XR | Xiaomi Redmi 12C |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 12 | Android 12 (MIUI 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 194 g | 192 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP67 | None |
| Dimensions | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.77 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8 |
| Front camera | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Depth | — | 0.08 MP, f/2.8 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 3 GB | 3 GB / 4 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2942 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired (adapter sold separately) | 10W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.71 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1792 x 828 | 1650 x 720 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 400 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz + 4x1.6 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | MediaTek Helio G85 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | Micro-USB |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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