The war of entry-level phones is becoming huge, especially thanks to Xiaomi and Realme. Every time one of these two companies launches a great entry-level device, each other comes up with an even better one. The latest one is Realme C12, just announced with a huge battery at a very affordable price. We think it is time to compare it with the latest Xiaomi entry-level in order to establish whether or not it has a higher value for money: we are obviously talking about the direct rival Redmi 9C. And let’s not forget Huawei: even this company has amazing entry-level devices in its portfolio. If we consider the price range of the Realme C12, the most suitable one for this comparison is the Honor 9C.

Realme C12 vs Xiaomi Redmi 9C vs Huawei Honor 9C

Realme C12 Xiaomi Redmi 9C Huawei Honor 9C
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm, 209 grams 164.9 x 77 x 9 mm, 196 grams 159.8 x 76.1 x 8.1 mm , 176 grams
DISPLAY 6.5 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD 6.53 inches, 720 x 1600p (HD+), 270 ppi, IPS LCD 6.39 inches, 720 x 1560p (HD+), 269 ppi, IPS LCD
PROCESSOR Mediatek Helio G35, octa-core 2.3 GHz Mediatek Helio G35, octa-core 2.3 GHz Huawei Hisilicon Kirin 710A, octa-core 2.2 GHz
MEMORY 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD dedicated slot 2 GB RAM, 32 GB – 3 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot
SOFTWARE Android 10, Realme UI Android 10, MIUI Android 10, EMUI
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 b/g/n, 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		 Triple 48 + 8 + 2 MP f/1.8, f/2.4 and f/2.4
8 MP f/2.0 front camera
BATTERY 6000 mAh 5000 mAh, 10W charging 4000 mAh
ADDITIONAL FEATURES Dual SIM slot, reverse charging Dual SIM slot Dual SIM slot

Design

Despite it is an older handset, the Honor 9C has the most beautiful and futuristic design. It is the only device from this trio to feature a punch-hole display. Not everyone may like a hole on the upper left corner of the screen, but it is considered a more modern and less invasive solution to the waterdrop notch found on the Realme C12 and the Redmi 9C. The Honor 9C also comes with a less invasive camera module, despite the ones of its rivals are trendier because they look like the iPhone 11 lineup. Realme C12, Redmi 9C, and Honor 9A feature both a fingerprint reader and a 3.5 mm audio jack, that is great.

 

Display

With each of these handsets, you get a below-average display with an HD+ resolution. You do not get a high level of detail, but they are sufficient IPS panel for daily use. With the Redmi 9C, you even get a high brightness. But overall, the differences between these three panels are just marginal. You would better make your choice by evaluating other aspects of these devices. Unfortunately, we can not test the display of the Realme C12 since it just debuted and it only launched in Indonesia. But on the paper, Redmi 9C seems slightly better and it also comes with a slightly wider panel.

 

Specs & Software

The MediaTek Helio G35 chipset found on the Redmi 9C and the Realme C12 is actually more powerful than the Kirin 710A found on the Honor 9C. It is also more efficient because it is built on a better 12 nm production process. But with the Honor 9C, you can get a higher quantity of RAM, so its inferior processor is not a big thing to worry about. Between Realme C12 and Redmi 9C it is essentially a draw, except when it comes to the internal storage: Redmi 9C goes up to 64 GB, while Realme C12 stops at 32 GB. In each case, you get Android 10 out of the box.

 

 

Camera

The best camera phone here is the Honor 9C, there is no doubt about it. The Honor 9C has a much better main sensor with a 48 MP resolution and a bright f/1.8 focal aperture. Further, unlike Realme C12 and Redmi 9C, it packs an ultrawide secondary sensor. Even its selfie camera is better, with its 8 MP resolution and an f/2.0 focal aperture. There is just no challenge: Honor 9C is a superior camera phone in all of the scenarios. Between Realme C12 and Redmi 9C, it is again a draw on the paper: they feature the same sensors.

 

Battery

The Realme C12 has one of the biggest batteries in the entry-level segment, with a 6000 mAh capacity. And it obviously lasts more on a single charge than both Redmi 9C and Honor 9C. The silver medal goes to the Redmi 9C with its 5000 mAh battery. But even though Honor 9C loses the comparison, it still provides a good battery life thanks to its 4000 mAh battery. Unfortunately, none of these devices supports fast charging. But the Realme C12 features reverse charging, so it can be used as a power bank to charge other devices.

 

Price

Actually, Realme C12, Redmi 9C, and Honor 9C are all priced below €150/$180. But Realme C12 is a bit more affordable (depending on the country). And despite being more affordable, it is my favorite handset of this comparison because it offers a bigger battery, reverse charging, and great hardware. On the paper, Redmi 9C is a Realme C12 with a smaller battery. Instead, the Honor 9C is very interesting because it features a way better camera department, as well as a more beautiful design. But when it comes to the other specs, it can not compete with Realme C12 and Redmi 9C. I would pick the Realme C12, but a lot of people would prefer the Honor 9C because it is very hard to find a so nice camera in that price segment.

 

 

Realme C12 vs Xiaomi Redmi 9C vs Huawei Honor 9C: PROs and CONS

Realme C12

PROs

  • Biggest battery
  • Reverse charging
  • FM radio

CONS

  • Nothing particular

 

Huawei Honor 9C

PROs

  • Best cameras
  • Ultrawide sensor
  • 4/64 GB
  • Compact
  • Punch-hole design

CONS

  • Smaller battery

 

Xiaomi Redmi 9C

PROs

  • FM radio
  • MIUI 12 out of the box
  • Best hardware

CONS

  • Nothing particular

 

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