Need a smartphone with a bigger screen and storage without breaking your budget?
Smartphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. From staying connected with friends and family to managing work and entertainment, smartphones have become the go-to device for many daily activities. With the growing demand for multimedia content, a smartphone with a bigger screen and storage has become a necessity for many people.
A larger screen allows for a more immersive experience when watching videos, playing games, or browsing the web. Meanwhile, larger storage capacity ensures that users have enough space to store their favorite apps, photos, videos, and other important data. In this context, having a smartphone with a bigger screen and storage is essential for keeping up with our digital lifestyles.
This is where Xiaomi‘s latest smartphone, the Redmi 12C has a real advantage.
Redmi 12C — Xiaomi’s Powerful Budget Smartphone
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C, which is available in the Philippine market since 24 March 2023, offers a range of features to make daily usage easier and more enjoyable. Powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 processor, the device ensures smoother day-to-day operations and faster app starts, along with up to 6+5GB extended RAM and 1TB storage extension. It is worth noting that the memory extension is only available when there is enough storage space on your device, and the extension of RAM storage capacity varies across different models (functionality that is comparable to our desktop computers’ virtual RAM).
First Impressions & Physical Attributes
Opening the box of the Xiaomi Redmi 12C, you will find:
- The Smartphone Device
- Power Brick (10W Adapter)
- USB Cable (USB Type A to Micro USB)
- SIM Tray Ejector Tool
- Quick Start Guide
- Warranty Card
- Safety Information
You will right away notice the screen size of the Redmi 12C at first glance — it is bigger than usual but still perfectly fits my small hands. Featuring a 6.71-inch HD+ display (bigger than my Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G, which I use as a daily driver) with a sleek 20.6:9 aspect ratio, the device provides a more immersive experience when reading, watching videos, and gaming.
This smartphone has a stylish and distinctive textured design offering a better slip-resistant grip. The curved back side coupled with its unibody enclosure makes the device more comfortable to hold, especially with the fingerprint sensor strategically hidden in the camera island.
Battery Life & Security Features
The Redmi 12C boasts a large 5,000mAh battery allowing you to use the phone all day without worrying about running out of power. The smartphone’s advanced and responsive fingerprint sensor (strategically hidden at the back of the phone within the camera island) makes unlocking your phone, opening an app, or authenticating a mobile payment a breeze.
Camera Tests
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is equipped with a 50MP main camera with an aperture of f/1.8 and a 5MP selfie camera with an aperture of f/2.2. For video recording, the Redmi 12C supports shooting at 1080P (1920 x 1080) at 30fps and 720P (1280 x 720) at 30fps.
With powerful HDR and Night Mode, the Redmi 12C takes clearer city nightscape pictures with greater details, even in challenging situations.
Here are some of the sample shots I took using the Redmi 12C:
Still Photo
Video
Performance
Powered by a powerful MediaTek Helio G85 octa-core processor, the Redmi 12C delivers impressive performance that can easily outperform its competitors within the same category. The Mali-G52 gaming GPU provides a smooth entertainment experience for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts. With up to 5GB of idle ROM space, the Redmi 12C allows for maximum expansion of RAM up to 11GB, providing a next-level smooth user experience so that they can enjoy smoother day-to-day operations, faster app starts, and more storage for their content. Multitasking (read as flipping from one to another) is such a breeze with this smartphone.
The Redmi 12C comes with a reading mode that helps relieve eye strain that may come with extended screen time. Having a bigger and better display packed into a stylish and recognizable design, coupled with a flat edge and a unibody curved back helps improve the overall aesthetics and grip feel of the Redmi C12.
Specifications
| Performance | MediaTek Helio G85 processor; CPU up to 2.0GHz LPDDR4X + eMMC 5.1 3GB+32GB, 3GB+64GB, 4GB+64GB 4GB+128GB, 6GB+128GB Supports expandable storage of up to 1TB MIUI 13 based on Android 12 |
| Display & Design | 6.71″ HD+ Dot Drop display – 1650 x 720 Refresh rate: 60Hz 20.6:9 aspect ratio 1500:1 contrast ratio NTSC 70% (typ) Dimensions: 168.76 x 76.41 x 8.77mm Weight: 192g Colors: Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, Lavender Purple Unibody curved back with flat edge design |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor AI Face Unlock |
| Audio | 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Rear Camera | 50MP main camera; f/1.8 Auxiliary lens3 Video recording: 1080P 1920 x 1080 30fps – 720P 1280 x 720 30fps |
| Front Camera | 5MP selfie camera; f/2.2 Video recording: 1080P 1920 x 1080 30fps – 720P 1280 x 720 30fps |
| Battery | 5,000mAh (typ) battery 10W fast charging with 10W in-box charger Micro USB |
| Connectivity | Dual SIM + dedicated MicroSD Bands: GSM: B2/3/5/8 | WCDMA: B1/5/8 | LTE FDD: B1/3/5/7/8/20/28 | LTE TDD: B38/40/41 Bluetooth 5.1 Wi-Fi Protocol: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Supports FM radio (with headphones) |
Availability & Pricing
The Xiaomi Redmi 12C comes in four colors: Graphite Grey, Ocean Blue, Mint Green, and Lavender Purple. Here are the variants available for the Philippine market (with their respective freebies until the end of March 2023):
| Variant | Availability | SRP | Freebies |
| 4GB + 64GB | Online | Tiktok Shop | Physical Stores | PHP6,499 | Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 |
| 3GB + 32GB | Online | Tiktok Shop | Physical Stores | PHP5,499 | Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 |
| 4GB + 128GB | Online | Tiktok Shop | Physical Stores | PHP7,499 | Mi Compact Bluetooth Speaker 2 |
| 6GB + 128GB | Online Only | PHP8,999 | Early Bird Price: PHP8,599 with Redmi Buds 3 freebie |
My Final Take
Overall, the Redmi 12C is an excellent phone that provides a range of features at a reasonable price. Its large display, advanced camera, and extended storage and memory capacities make it an attractive option for those looking for a budget-friendly phone with great features. For as low as PHP5,499 (as of this posting), you can own a piece of awesome technology device from Xiaomi. One thing though: Xiaomi should have opted to have the Redmi 12C with a USB-C port instead of a Micro USB (for me to finally get rid of the older USB charger cables).