The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Lava Blaze 2 and the Xiaomi Poco C55. Both promise a lot for their price point, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco C55 edges out the Blaze 2 thanks to its superior chipset and faster charging. While the Blaze 2 might offer slightly better design aesthetics for some, the Poco C55's performance and charging speed provide a more compelling package for most users seeking a budget-friendly device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 10 | 2023, February 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 18 | Available. Released 2023, February 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Panda Glass), eco leather back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.1 x 8.6 mm (6.50 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 168.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | - | Dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glass Blue, Glass Black, Glass Orange | Cool Blue, Power Black, Forest Green |
| Models | LZX409 | 22127PC95I |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.77 W/kg (body) |
Lava Blaze 2
- Potentially better design/aesthetics
- Versatile camera setup (potentially)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Weaker chipset
- Lower overall performance
- Image processing may be lacking
Xiaomi Poco C55
- More powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Smoother performance
- Faster charging (10W - still slower than competitors)
- Likely better software optimization
- Less versatile camera setup
- Design may be less appealing to some
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar 6.5-inch HD+ displays, likely with IPS LCD technology. Expect decent viewing angles and color reproduction, but don't anticipate flagship-level brightness or sharpness. The Poco C55 might have a slightly higher refresh rate (potentially 90Hz) which would offer a smoother scrolling experience, but this needs confirmation.
Camera Comparison
The Lava Blaze 2 likely boasts a more versatile camera setup, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and additional macro or depth sensors. However, image processing and overall quality often depend more on software than hardware. The Poco C55's camera performance is likely adequate, but may not match the Blaze 2's versatility. Expect both to struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
Here's where the Poco C55 takes a clear lead. The Helio G85 chipset in the Poco C55 is generally more powerful and efficient than the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Blaze 2. Expect smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and a more responsive user interface on the Poco C55. Both have the same CPU core configuration, but the G85's GPU is significantly better.
Battery Life
The Poco C55 has a significant disadvantage here with its 10W charging. The Blaze 2's 18W charging will allow for much faster top-ups. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 5000mAh for both), so the Poco C55 will take considerably longer to charge fully.
Buying Guide
The Lava Blaze 2 is a good choice for users prioritizing aesthetics and a potentially slightly more premium feel within a tight budget. The Xiaomi Poco C55 is ideal for those who value performance, faster charging, and a more reliable overall experience, even if it means sacrificing some design flair.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Poco C55 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G85 chipset.
❓ Does the Poco C55 support fast charging?
The Poco C55 supports 10W charging, which is relatively slow compared to other phones in the market. The Lava Blaze 2 offers 18W charging.
