Okay, let's break down the Realme C35 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12. I'll put on my tech journalist hat and dive deep into what these specs mean for you, the user.
Smartphone Showdown: Realme C35 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
Here’s a detailed breakdown of these two devices, designed to give you a clear picture of their strengths, weaknesses, and how they fit into your daily life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Realme C35 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm | Virtually identical sizes, but the Redmi Note 12 is a tiny bit taller. Negligible difference in daily use. |
| Weight | 189g | 188g | Both feel similar in hand; lightweight and manageable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Very similar screen real estate; minor difference is unlikely to be noticeable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Sharpness is almost identical; both offer a detailed visual experience. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 401 | 395 | Visually indistinguishable; both offer crisp text and images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Redmi Note 12 has a major advantage; AMOLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Redmi Note 12 offers a smoother user experience with significantly less visual lag during scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Redmi Note 12 is vastly superior outdoors; its screen will be much easier to see in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Redmi Note 12 is more powerful; the 6nm Snapdragon is faster and more energy-efficient than the 12nm Unisoc. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 460,800 | Redmi Note 12 is significantly faster; will feel snappier, especially in gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 619 | Redmi Note 12 is better for gaming; its Adreno GPU offers superior graphics performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer good all-day battery life, assuming similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Redmi Note 12 charges considerably faster; quicker top-ups, less waiting time. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 50MP | 48MP | Marginal resolution difference; likely not noticeable in most scenarios. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 | Similar light gathering ability. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 8MP | 13MP | Redmi Note 12 has a higher resolution front camera; potentially better selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.45 | Realme C35 potentially performs slightly better in low-light situations due to its wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 8MP | Redmi Note 12 gives you a more versatile camera system with the ability to capture more in each shot. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Both have a macro lens for extreme close-up shots. |
| Black & white lens | 2MP | No | Realme C35 has a dedicated black and white camera. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Similar video quality for day-to-day recording; nothing much separating them here. |
| Video Slow-motion | No | Yes (120 fps) | Redmi Note 12 can do slow-motion videos, a creative option lacking in Realme C35. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 69, Photo: 74, Video: 49 | Only Redmi Note 12 has been tested. |
| Camera Features | CDAF | Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, RAW, Night Mode | Redmi Note 12 offers more advanced camera software features for better photos in a variety of conditions. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Redmi Note 12 has a newer version of Android, potentially offering better features and optimization. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Redmi Note 12 has additional features: Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, and Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Redmi Note 12 has a newer version of Bluetooth with more codecs for higher quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | Redmi Note 12 supports more satellite systems, improving location accuracy in challenging environments. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Redmi Note 12 offers more storage options: 128GB/256GB vs Realme's 64GB/128GB; you may find yourself needing the extra storage. |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Redmi Note 12 has higher RAM options, useful for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both offer similar fingerprint sensor functionality. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi Note 12 provides better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. |
2. Key Insights
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Dominates in Key Areas: The Redmi Note 12 has a superior AMOLED display, a faster processor, better camera system, and faster charging. The screen technology alone is a massive leap over IPS LCD, making it significantly better for media consumption and general use.
- Realme C35's Strengths are Limited: It has a slightly higher-resolution main camera (which doesn't always equate to better pictures) and a dedicated B&W camera but struggles in most other metrics compared to Redmi Note 12.
- Performance is the Key Difference: The Snapdragon chipset in the Redmi Note 12 is noticeably faster and more efficient than the Unisoc in the Realme C35. This impacts everything from app loading to gaming.
- Real-World Usability: The 120Hz refresh rate and significantly brighter AMOLED screen of the Redmi Note 12 makes a big difference in daily use, making scrolling smoother, and the display visible even under sunlight.
- Value: The Redmi Note 12 offers much more value for the price, given its superior performance and display.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12:
- Ideal for: Users who value display quality, performance, and faster charging. Gamers and media consumers will benefit greatly from its higher refresh rate, AMOLED screen, and faster processor. Great for social media users who need better cameras for photos and videos.
- Use Cases: Streaming videos, playing games, taking photos/videos in various lighting conditions, daily social media and web browsing.
- Why: The Redmi Note 12 excels in aspects that contribute to a modern, responsive smartphone experience.
Realme C35:
- Ideal for: Users who are on a tight budget, with undemanding daily tasks.
- Use Cases: Basic social media, web browsing, calling, and messaging. This phone can handle these tasks, but is noticeably slower than Redmi Note 12.
- Why: The C35 is a basic workhorse, suitable for those who need a smartphone without the bells and whistles.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- How much do I value display quality and responsiveness?
- If a vibrant, smooth, and bright display is essential, the Redmi Note 12 is the obvious choice.
- Am I a gamer or heavy multitasker?
- If yes, the Redmi Note 12’s more powerful chipset and higher RAM options will be much better suited to your needs.
- Is fast charging important to me?
- If the speed of charging is a concern, the Redmi Note 12 is the winner by a big margin.
Scenario Recommendations:
- For the Average User: If you're looking for a device that handles everyday tasks smoothly and gives you a better overall experience, the Redmi Note 12 is the way to go.
- For the Budget Conscious: If budget is the primary concern and you are willing to sacrifice performance and display quality, the Realme C35 might be considered, but understand that you are making big sacrifices.
- For Power Users: If gaming or intensive multitasking is a priority, the Redmi Note 12 is the hands-down winner, offering a faster processor and better display performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I'd go for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 without hesitation. The AMOLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon processor, and faster charging all contribute to a dramatically better user experience. While the Realme C35 might save a bit on cost initially, the benefits you get from the Redmi Note 12 significantly outweigh the marginal savings, making it the better long-term investment. The difference in quality is immediately noticeable in everyday use, and it’s worth spending a bit more to have a device that feels significantly more modern and responsive.
The Redmi Note 12 is not only more powerful but also offers a better experience across the board, with its modern AMOLED display, smoother user experience, better quality photos, and faster charging. These improvements justify choosing the Redmi Note 12.
