Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Realme C35 and Xiaomi Redmi 12. We'll go beyond just the specs and explore what these differences mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specs, along with what they mean for your daily usage:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm | The Redmi 12 is slightly taller and thicker, but the difference is marginal. Both phones are similarly sized. |
| Weight | 189g | 198.5g | The Realme C35 is a bit lighter, which could be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.79" | The Redmi 12 offers a slightly larger screen, giving you a bit more real estate for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2460 | Both have similar FHD+ resolution; the difference is negligible to the naked eye. Expect crisp visuals on both. |
| PPI | 401 | 396 | Very similar pixel density, meaning similar sharpness on both screens. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same panel type, expect good color reproduction and decent viewing angles, though not as vibrant as AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Redmi 12 has a smoother display, which means scrolling and animations will appear more fluid and pleasant to the eye. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 | Mediatek Helio G88 | The Helio G88 in the Redmi 12 has a slight edge in performance, offering faster processing in daily tasks, and marginally better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 249,400 | The Redmi 12 scores slightly better in benchmarks indicating better day-to-day performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Redmi 12's GPU has a bit more power, offering slightly better graphics for gaming and other GPU-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both offer 50MP main cameras, but Xiaomi has a slightly bigger sensor. Expect good daylight shots from both, but the Redmi 12 may have a slight edge in low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.1 | The Realme C35's slightly wider aperture could mean slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Only the Redmi 12 has a wide-angle lens, making it versatile for capturing more in each shot. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both feature similar macro lenses, mainly useful for close-up detail shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | Only Realme C35 has a black & white camera; not the best performance. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both can record Full HD video, but Redmi 12 adds slow-motion capability. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, meaning similar all-day battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Both phones support 18W fast charging. |
| Additional Features | None | Reverse Charging | Redmi 12 can charge other devices in emergency situations, a handy bonus feature. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 13 (upgradeable to 14) | The Xiaomi Redmi 12 runs a newer version of Android out of the box, and gets an upgrade to 14, providing more features, security enhancements, and improved performance. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both have similar Wi-Fi capabilities. The Redmi 12 adds Wi-Fi Direct and display features, which are useful for streaming media and sharing screens. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | The Redmi 12 has the latest Bluetooth version, offering better connectivity, efficiency, and audio quality via APT-x compatibility. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Redmi 12 has more accurate GPS due to additional Galileo support, useful for navigation. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Xiaomi Redmi 12 offers more storage options, giving you more flexibility for media and files. |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | The Xiaomi Redmi 12 comes with more RAM options, supporting smoother multitasking and better performance. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither has an option for expandable storage |
| Other Features | |||
| Audio | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Neither phone is particularly stand-out in the audio department. |
| Security | Side Fingerprint | Side Fingerprint | Both have a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The Xiaomi Redmi 12 has more sensors such as the Ultrasonic sensor making it a better experience overall. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35 Strengths:
- Slightly Lighter: A bit more comfortable for extended holding.
- Wider Selfie Aperture: Possibly better low-light selfies.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Strengths:
- Newer and Better OS: Ships with Android 13 and upgrades to 14, ensuring more features and security updates.
- Slightly Better Performance: The Helio G88 chipset offers a bump in day to day performance and gaming.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably more fluid visual experience.
- Versatile Camera: Wide-angle lens for more dynamic shots, 4K and slow-motion recording.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Offers up to 256GB of storage and up to 8GB of RAM, providing more space and flexibility for running multiple apps.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Improved Connectivity: Has a more recent Bluetooth version and additional GPS support.
- More Sensors: Includes more sensors for better overall experience.
Trade-offs:
- Realme C35: The older OS is its main drawback; otherwise, it's a good phone.
- Xiaomi Redmi 12: The slightly larger size may not be for everyone.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Who need a reliable device for daily tasks without breaking the bank.
- Users with Light Usage: Those who don’t heavily rely on gaming or media consumption.
- People who don't require the latest software
Xiaomi Redmi 12:
- Multimedia Lovers: Those who enjoy streaming videos, gaming, and using social media, benefiting from a smoother display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with wide-angle lens and slow motion video.
- Power Users: Those who need more storage, RAM, and an up-to-date operating system.
- People who want to make the most out of new features
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- How important is software and display smoothness to you? If you want a fluid user experience and the latest features, the Redmi 12’s 90Hz display and Android 13/14 are crucial.
- Do you need a versatile camera with a wide angle lens? If you often take landscape or group photos, the Redmi 12's wide-angle lens is a significant advantage.
- How important are more storage, ram, and reverse charging for your usage? If you have a lot of media and often multitask, or want the convenience of charging other devices the Redmi 12 is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User – If you mainly use your phone for calls, texts, and light social media, the Realme C35 will be adequate and save you money.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia Enthusiast – If you enjoy watching videos, playing games, and want a smoother experience, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Active Photographer – If you want a more versatile camera system, then the Xiaomi Redmi 12's wide-angle lens is very useful.
My Choice
If I were in the market for a new phone between these two, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi 12. The slightly newer, and better OS, combined with the smoother 90Hz display, the wide-angle lens camera, the enhanced performance, increased ram options and the additional reverse charging feature, make it a more compelling device overall. Even though the Realme C35 is lighter, the advantages offered by the Redmi 12 are more beneficial. The Redmi 12 is more future-proof, with a better user experience that justifies the slightly higher cost.
