The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Lava Yuva 2 Pro and the Xiaomi Redmi 9. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 emerges as the clear winner. While the Lava Yuva 2 Pro is a budget-friendly option, the Redmi 9's superior chipset, faster charging, and generally better camera performance make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 22 | 2020, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 22 | Available. Released 2020, June 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
VGA
VGA | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glass Lavender, Glass Green, Glass White | Carbon Gray, Sunset Purple, Ocean Green, Pink/Blue |
| Models | LZX408 | M2004J19G, M2004J19C |
| Price | About 90 EUR | $ 105.77 / £ 196.62 / € 115.51 |
| SAR | - | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 131h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1624:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 201829 (v8)
GeekBench: 1325 (v5.1) |
Lava Yuva 2 Pro
- Very Affordable
- Compact Size (likely)
- Basic Functionality
- Weaker Processor
- Slow Charging
- Likely Inferior Camera
- Unknown Battery Capacity
Xiaomi Redmi 9
- Better Performance (Helio G80)
- Faster Charging (18W)
- Excellent Battery Life (131h Endurance)
- Likely Better Camera
- Slightly Higher Price
- Potentially Larger Size
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios (1624:1), but the Redmi 9 boasts a measured peak brightness of 328 nits, suggesting slightly better visibility in sunlight. The Redmi 9 likely has a slightly larger display as well, though exact sizes are not specified in the provided data. Overall, the Redmi 9 has a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the Redmi 9's Helio G80 chipset generally supports more advanced camera features and image processing. Expect better image quality, especially in low light, from the Redmi 9. Specific camera resolutions are not provided, but the Redmi 9 is likely to have a more versatile camera setup.
Performance
The Redmi 9's Helio G80 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Yuva 2 Pro's Helio G37. The G80's Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable boost in performance for demanding tasks and gaming, while the Yuva 2 Pro will feel slower and less responsive.
Battery Life
The Redmi 9 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Yuva 2 Pro's battery capacity is unknown, but the charging speed (10W vs 18W) further indicates the Redmi 9's advantage in longevity and quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Lava Yuva 2 Pro? Those prioritizing the absolute lowest price and basic functionality. Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9? Users seeking a more well-rounded experience with better performance, a slightly improved camera, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lava Yuva 2 Pro good for gaming?
The Lava Yuva 2 Pro's Helio G37 chipset is not ideal for demanding games. You'll likely experience lag and low frame rates.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9 has a significantly better endurance rating (131 hours) and faster charging (18W) compared to the Lava Yuva 2 Pro.
❓ Can I take good photos with either of these phones?
While both have cameras, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is expected to produce better image quality due to its more powerful chipset and likely more advanced camera features.
