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Xiaomi Redmi 12C vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12

Updated Apr 2026phones
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
Xiaomi
Xiaomi Redmi 12C
$119
6.8/10
VS
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
Xiaomi
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
$179
8.1/10
Winner

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.

ValueNote 12
CameraNote 12
BatteryNote 12
DisplayNote 12
PerformanceNote 12

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

Xiaomi Redmi 12C
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
Value
7.5
8.2
Camera
7.1
8.0
Battery
7.8
8.5
Display
5.2
8.9
Performance
6.5
8.3

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  • Micro-USB port is obsolete — not USB-C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

SpecXiaomi Redmi 12CXiaomi Redmi Note 12
SoftwareAndroid 12 (MIUI 13)Android 12 (MIUI 14)
Body
Weight192 g188 g
MaterialPlastic frame and backPlastic frame, glass front, plastic back
IP ratingNoneIP53
Dimensions168.8 x 76.4 x 8.77 mm165.9 x 76 x 7.98 mm
Camera
Main camera50 MP, f/1.850 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Depth0.08 MP, f/2.82 MP, f/2.4
Front camera5 MP, f/2.213 MP, f/2.4
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Memory
RAM3 GB / 4 GB4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB
Storage options32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB64 GB, 128 GB
Battery
Capacity5000 mAh5000 mAh
Charging10W wired33W wired
Wireless chargingNoNo
Display
Size6.71 inches6.67 inches
TypeIPS LCDAMOLED
Resolution1650 x 7202400 x 1080
Refresh rate60Hz120Hz
Brightness (nits)4001200
Processor
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 619
ChipsetMediaTek Helio G85Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1
Connectivity
5G
NFC
USBMicro-USBUSB-C 2.0
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth5.15.1

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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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