The Samsung Galaxy A05 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are two budget smartphones that were released in 2023. They are both very similar in terms of specifications, but there are a few key differences between them.
It is worth noting that while the Samsung Galaxy A05 was released this September (2023), the Redmi 12C has been around since the beginning of the year, and the device has been solid since launch.
But now, with Sammy’s offer joining the race, is the Redmi 12C still worth considering? Well, here is how both devices compares in a tabular summary.
Samsung Galaxy A05 vs Xiaomi Redmi 12C Specs Comparison
| Feature | Galaxy A05 | Redmi 12C |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch IPS LCD, 720 x 1600 pixels, 82.11% screen-to-body ratio | 6.71-inch IPS LCD, 720 x 1650 pixels, 82.5% screen-to-body ratio |
| Performance | MediaTek Helio G85 CPU, up to 6GB RAM, up to 128GB storage | MediaTek Helio G85 CPU, up to 6GB RAM, up to 256GB storage |
| Camera | Rear: 50MP + 2MP, Front: 8MP | Rear: 50MP + QVGA, Front: 5MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh with 25W fast charging | 5000mAh with 10W fast charging |
| Other features | Rear fingerprint scanner, 3.5mm headphone jack, dual SIM cards | Rear fingerprint scanner, 3.5mm headphone jack, dual SIM cards |
| Price | Expected to be priced from $139 | Priced from $109 |
Comparison summaries
Display
Both phones have a 6.7-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, and both relies on a dewdrop notch for their selfie cameras.
Samsung is well known for its impressive AMOLED screen, but since the A05 is the company’s entry-level smartphone, it shares the same IPS screen panel with the Redmi 12C.
Performance
Both phones are powered by the same MediaTek Helio G85 CPU, and both offer up to 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM. As of writing, only the 6GB + 128GB storage variant of the A05 has been released.
While we know that the smaller storage option of the A05 will pop up in selected markets on or before October, only the Redmi 12C has a smaller 4GB + 64GB memory option for even tighter budgets.
Now, since the Redmi 12C is about 9 months older than the Galaxy A05, it is given Android 12 OS with MIUI 13 out of the box. This OS is upgradable, but it still does not compare to the convenience of getting Android 13 out of the box, which is an upper hand for the A05.
Camera
Both phones have a dual rear camera system with a 50-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. These two sensors should be the same JN1 which has been used on countless entry-level smartphones.
However, moving on to the front, the Galaxy A05 has a slightly better front-facing camera, with an 8-megapixel sensor compared to the Redmi 12C’s 5-megapixel sensor.
Battery
Moving on to the battery, both phones have a 5000mAh battery with fast charging support. However, while the Galaxy A05 has 25W fast charging, the Redmi 12C only has 10W fast charging. So the clear winner in this segment is the A05.
Other features
Both phones have a 3.5mm headphone jack and support for dual SIM cards with 4G LTE networks. But the section still goes to the Redmi 12C, because while it comes with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, the Galaxy A05 does not.
Price
The Samsung Galaxy A05 is expected to be priced at around $150 for the 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM, and it will go on sale starting October. A smaller storage option of the same may come with a more affordable price tag.
On the other hand, the Redmi 12C has been on sale in multiple markets globally. You can even ship a model from Amazon.com or Aliexpress.com, and the price can be as low as $99, depending on the storage model you are going with.
Comparison Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A05 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C are both great budget smartphones, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The Galaxy A05 has a slightly better front-facing camera and faster battery charging. However, the Redmi 12C is more affordable and it does come with a fingerprint scanner.
So I’d go with the Samsung Galaxy A05 if prioritizes a better selfie camera and fast charging speed. On the other hand, if you are looking for the most affordable option, and one with a physical fingerprint scanner for that matter, then the Redmi 12C is the way to go. Do let me know your opinion in the comment section below.
