Xiaomi Redmi 12C vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
The Verdict
Both phones share a 5000 mAh battery and 50 MP main camera, but the Redmi Note 12 pulls ahead significantly in nearly every important category. Its 6.67-inch AMOLED display delivers 2400 x 1080 resolution with 120Hz refresh rate and 1200 nits brightness, vastly superior to the 12C's 1650 x 720 IPS LCD at 400 nits and 60Hz. The Note 12 features a faster Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor with Adreno 619 GPU versus the Helio G85, resulting in noticeably better gaming and multitasking performance. Charging speed jumps from 10W to 33W, meaning the Note 12 reaches full battery in roughly half the time. Additional advantages include a 13 MP selfie camera (versus 5 MP), PDAF on the main sensor, IP53 water resistance, 5G connectivity, NFC support, and USB-C. The 12C compensates slightly with a more compact 6.71-inch screen and longer software support roadmap via MIUI 13. At $60 more, the Redmi Note 12 represents substantially better value, offering flagship features typically found in $250+ devices. The 12C serves only as a budget option for basic tasks. For anyone willing to spend a bit more, the Note 12 is the clear winner.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 if…
- →AMOLED 120Hz display at $179 is exceptional value
- →5G connectivity at ultra-budget pricing
- →33W fast charging for the 5000 mAh battery
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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- Micro-USB port is obsolete — not USB-C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
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
Pros
- AMOLED 120Hz display at $179 is exceptional value
- 5G connectivity at ultra-budget pricing
- 33W fast charging for the 5000 mAh battery
- IP53 splash resistance for basic protection
- Lightweight and slim design at 188 g
Cons
- Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 offers limited performance
- Only a depth sensor as secondary camera — no ultrawide
- 4 GB base RAM is very tight for multitasking
- Video recording capped at 1080p@30fps
- MIUI has ads and bloatware
Full Specifications
| Spec | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 12 (MIUI 13) | Android 12 (MIUI 14) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 192 g | 188 g |
| Material | Plastic frame and back | Plastic frame, glass front, plastic back |
| IP rating | None | IP53 |
| Dimensions | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.77 mm | 165.9 x 76 x 7.98 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8 | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Depth | 0.08 MP, f/2.8 | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Front camera | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 3 GB / 4 GB | 4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Storage options | 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.71 inches | 6.67 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1650 x 720 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 400 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G85 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Micro-USB | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.1 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
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.
Explore more in phones, see all Xiaomi products or all Xiaomi products. View full details for the Xiaomi Redmi 12C or the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12.