You can actually get a lot of valid entry-level phones in the Indian market. The best ones were launched in the last period, including the new POCO C3 which is the first entry-level device from the POCO brand. For those who do not know, it is a rebranded Redmi 9C for the Indian market. Besides Xiaomi, even Realme came up with a lot of budget phones: the main rival of the POCO C3 is the Realme C12. In the same price range, you can even find the amazing Infinix Hot 9 which offers unique specifications for that segment. Here is an in-depth specs comparison between POCO C3, Infinix Hot 9, and Realme C12.

Xiaomi POCO C3 vs Infinix Hot 9 vs Realme C12

Realme C12 Xiaomi POCO C3 Infinix Hot 9
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm, 209 grams 164.9 x 77 x 9 mm, 196 grams 165.4 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm, 185 grams
DISPLAY 6.5 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD 6.53 inches, 720 x 1600p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD 6.6 inches, 720 x 1600p (HD+), 266 ppi, IPS LCD
PROCESSOR Mediatek Helio G35, octa-core 2.3 GHz Mediatek Helio G35, octa-core 2.3 GHz Mediatek Helio A25, octa-core 1.8 GHz
MEMORY 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD dedicated slot 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 3 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot 2 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot
SOFTWARE Android 10, Realme UI Android 10, MIUI Android 10, XOS
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS
CAMERA Quad 13 + 2 + 2 MP f/2.2, f/2.4 and f/2.4
5 MP f/2.0 front camera		 Triple 13 + 5 + 2 MP, f/1.8, f/2.4 and f/2.4
5 MP front camera		 Quad 13 + 2 + 2 MP + QVGA or 16 + 2 + 2 MP + QVGA
8 MP front camera
BATTERY 6000 mAh 5000 mAh, 10W charging 5000 mAh
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Dual SIM slot, reverse charging Dual SIM slot Dual SIM slot

Design

The most attractive design belongs to the Infinix Hot 9, at least in my honest opinion. One of the reasons is that it has a punch-hole display instead of a classic waterdrop notch, and it makes the device look more elegant. Even the color variants are more attractive with their prism pattern. On the other hand, Realme C12 and POCO C3 are more compact in terms of dimensions. But the Infinix Hot 9 is thinner and lighter: this is another reason which would let me go for it. What would your choice be?

 

Display

You’d better focus on the other specifications because there are no big differences between the displays of these devices and we are not talking about great displays. They come with below-average HD+ resolution, so you do not get a very high level of detail. They are good panels, but there are a lot of better options if you increase your budget a bit. I would personally go for the POCO C3 due to its high brightness, but the Infinix Hot 9 has a wider panel with a punch-hole design. Note that POCO C3 does not feature a fingerprint reader.

 

Specs & Software

The most advanced hardware setup belongs to the POCO C3, at least in the most expensive memory configurations. It is fueled by the Helio G35 mobile platform by Mediatek paired with up to 4 GB of RAM and it is actually better for advanced users and multi-tasking. Right after, we got the Realme C12 with an Helio G35 chipset paired with 3 GB of RAM. Unfortunately, Infinix Hot 9 boasts a weaker Helio A25, but you can get more internal storage: up to 128 GB. In each case, you get Android 10 out of the box and a micro SD dedicated slot to expand the internal storage.

 

Camera

On the paper, Infinix Hot 9 has a more interesting camera department. In its most expensive configurations, it has a 16 MP quad-camera instead of the 13 MP triple camera found on the POCO C3 and the Realme C12. The quad-camera includes a pair of 2 MP sensors for macro and depth calculation and a QVGA low light sensor to improve shots in the dark. Further, the Infinix Hot 9 has a better 8 MP front camera. This device is all but a camera phone, but it is superior to its rivals. POCO C3 and Realme C12 come with the same entry-level camera setup with the algorithm and camera apps making the difference.

 

Battery

The strongest point of the Realme C12 is battery life: this handset has a mammoth 6000 mAh battery which lasts up to three days with moderate use. Unfortunately, it does not support fast charging, but it supports reverse charging and it can be used as a power bank. With their 5000 mAh battery, POCO C3 and Infinix Hot 9 provide more or less the same battery life; none of them supports fast charging.

 

Price

POCO C3 is the most affordable with an Rs. 7,499 ($102) starting price, Infinix Hot 9 costs Rs. 8,499 ($115), and Realme C12 is priced at Rs. 8,999 ($123). My favorite device from this comparison is the Realme C12 because of its bigger battery. The Infinix Hot 9 has better cameras, but its chipset is too weaker, while the POCO C3 is just a Realme C12 with a smaller battery, but it carries a more affordable price.

 

 

Xiaomi POCO C3 vs Infinix Hot 9 vs Realme C12: PROs and CONS

Realme C12

PROs

  • Biggest battery
  • Reverse charging
  • Fingerprint reader

CONS

  • Thicker

 

Infinix Hot 9

PROs

  • Best cameras on the paper
  • Fingerprint reader
  • Wider display
  • More memory configurations
  • Punch-hole display

CONS

  • Inferior hardware

 

Xiaomi POCO C3

PROs

  • Very affordable
  • Compact
  • MIUI 12 out of the box
  • Best hardware

CONS

  • No fingerprint reader

 

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