Realme 12 5G vs Redmi Note 13 5G vs Lava Blaze Curve 5G: Which is the Best Phone Under Rs 20,000?

The Realme 12 5G has officially been unveiled in India. The handset arrives in the country's sub-20K segment, offering a ton of value. However, it isn't the only value-oriented smartphone in the segment.

As things stand, the Realme 12 5G faces stiff competition from two other smartphones in 2024. First, we have the Redmi Note 13 5G, which was unveiled in January and next is the recently released Lava Blaze Curve 5G. In our comparison, we will look at the specifications of all three smartphones, so you can decide which one suits you best.

Realme 12 vs Lava Blaze Curve vs Redmi Note 13: Full Specs Compared

Design and Build

Starting with the build, the Realme 12 5G and Redmi Note 13 5G opt for a plastic back, while the Lava Blaze Curve 5G (Review) rear panel is protected by a layer of glass. Both Realme and Redmi feature for a box-shaped design with rounded edges, while Lava goes the curved route.

The Lava Blaze Curve 5G boasts a curved design with slimmer bezels than its competitors. However, the Redmi Note 13 5G and Realme 12 5G come with an IP54 rating for resistance to mild splashes of water and dust. Moreover, the Lava Blaze Curve 5G is also slightly thicker than its competitors.

Display and Audio

While both the Lava Blaze Curve 5G and Redmi Note 13 5G use an AMOLED display, the Realme 12 5G settles for an LCD panel. Lava tends to stand out here with the Blaze Curve 5G as its screen features noticeable curvature and nearly invisible bezels.

Moreover, it also supports HDR10+. However, it isn't nearly as bright as the competition. Both the Realme 12 and Redmi Note 13 come with a single speaker, although only the former supports Dolby Atmos. On the other hand, the Lava Blaze Curve packs dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support.

Performance and Software

We haven't tested all three phones yet, although the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC does offer an edge in performance over the competition. The Realme 12 5G comes in second, while the Redmi Note 13 5G is the worst performing phone in this comparison.

The Lava Blaze Curve 5G's performance is further bolstered by its faster RAM (LPDDR5) and storage (UFS 3.1) standards. In the software department, the Redmi Note 13 5G and Lava Blaze Curve 5G run Android 13 out of the box, although both smartphones are confirmed to receive the Android 14 update soon.

However, the Realme 12 5G runs Android 14 out of the box. All three of these phones are expected to be upgraded to the latest Android 15 software when it is released. The Lava Blaze Curve 5G offers a clean, bloat-free UI experience, whereas the Redmi Note 13 offers more in terms of customization.

The Realme 12 5G does offer a good balance of both, but so far as software is concerned, we much rather stick to the Lava Blaze Curve 5G's near-Stock Android feel. When it comes to performance and software, Lava's advantage becomes evident.

Cameras

For cameras, the Lava Blaze Curve 5G opts for a triple-camera setup with a 64 MP primary sensor, an 8 MP ultrawide lens, and a 2 MP macro unit. It also has a high-resolution 32 MP selfie camera sensor up front.

The Redmi Note 13 5G, on the other hand, features a triple-camera setup with a 108 MP primary sensor, an 8 MP ultrawide lens, and a 2 MP depth sensor. It also has a 16 MP selfie camera sensor up front.

The Realme 12 5G opts for a dual-camera setup with a 108 MP primary sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor. It also has an 8 MP AI selfie camera sensor up front. We have yet to test the camera system on all three phones.

But based on specifications alone, the Redmi Note 13 5G appears to have the best rear cameras, while Lava's high-res 32 MP shooter might be the best for selfies. On the other hand, the Lava Blaze Curve 5G is also the only phone to support 4K video recording.

Battery

All three smartphones in our comparison are equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, although it is the charging support that differs. Redmi and Lava offer 33W fast charging, while the Realme 12 5G supports 45W power delivery over a USB Type-C port, which gives it a minor advantage here.

Realme 12 5G vs Redmi Note 13 5G vs Lava Blaze Curve 5G: Conclusion

Now that you have a solid idea of the specifications of all three smartphones, let's find out which one is the best for you. First off, if you aren't a fan of curved smartphones, then you can write off the Blaze Curve 5G. Additionally, the curved screen is also more difficult for one hand usage.

The Redmi Note 13 5G and Realme 12 5G don't have this problem, although the former features superior Gorilla Glass 5 protection up front. It also has a better camera setup and display than the Realme 12 5G. On the other hand, the Realme 12 5G outperforms the Redmi Note 13 5G and supports faster charging.

But if you are looking for substance, then the Lava Blaze Curve 5G should be your default pick. Not only does Lava outperform the competition, but it also has better speakers and cleaner software, while offering a quality display only rivaled by the Note 13 5G. If you don't mind the curved design, then the Blaze Curve 5G should be the obvious pick of the lot.