The Lava Bold and Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport represent two approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Redmi 9A Sport has been a mainstay, offering a basic but functional experience. The Lava Bold, however, arrives with a significantly more modern chipset, promising a leap in performance. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lava Bold is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset offers a substantial performance advantage over the Redmi 9A Sport’s Helio G25, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. The 33W charging is a game-changer in this price segment, offsetting any potential cost difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, April 02 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, April 08 | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 73.9 x 8.5 mm (6.39 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14, planned upgrade to Android 15 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Blue | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Lava Bold
- Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 6300)
- Much faster 33W charging
- More efficient 6nm process for better thermal management
- Potentially higher price
- Details on display quality are unknown
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- Lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Widely available
- Slow Helio G25 processor
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Less responsive user experience
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing for both, but given the price point, expect 720p LCDs. The key difference lies elsewhere. The focus here is on the internal hardware driving the experience, as display quality is likely similar.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. However, given the market segment, expectations should be tempered. The focus will likely be on basic image capture in good lighting conditions. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The Lava Bold’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Dimensity 6300 *could* offer slightly better image processing, but this is speculative. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device should be considered marketing features rather than genuine photographic tools.
Performance
The performance gap is the defining characteristic of this comparison. The Lava Bold’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300, built on a 6nm process, is a generational leap ahead of the Redmi 9A Sport’s Helio G25 (12nm). The Dimensity 6300’s octa-core configuration, featuring two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4GHz, provides significantly more processing power than the G25’s four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the Lava Bold is less likely to throttle under sustained load. The Redmi 9A Sport will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, the charging speed is a major differentiator. The Lava Bold’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Redmi 9A Sport’s 10W charging. This means the Lava Bold can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime. Even if the Lava Bold has a slightly smaller battery capacity, the faster charging could result in a similar overall usable time. The Redmi 9A Sport will require significantly longer to fully charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Bold if you prioritize performance for gaming, streaming, or demanding apps, and value significantly faster charging. This phone is ideal for users who want a device that feels responsive and can handle more than just basic tasks. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport if your needs are extremely basic – calls, texts, and light social media – and you are on a very tight budget. It’s a functional device, but compromises heavily on processing power and charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lava Bold handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Mediatek Dimensity 6300 is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G25 and should provide a much more playable experience in PUBG Mobile. While you may need to lower graphics settings for optimal frame rates, the Lava Bold is far more capable of handling demanding games than the Redmi 9A Sport.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Lava Bold with the 33W charger?
While a precise time requires testing, a 33W charger should fully charge the Lava Bold in approximately 60-90 minutes, depending on battery capacity. This is a dramatic improvement over the Redmi 9A Sport, which could take over 3 hours with its 10W charger.
❓ Is the Redmi 9A Sport still a viable option for basic smartphone users?
Yes, if your needs are limited to calls, texts, and light social media, the Redmi 9A Sport is a functional device. However, be prepared for slow performance and long charging times. It's best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who don't require advanced features.
