The sub-$150 5G smartphone segment is heating up, with the Lava Yuva 3 Pro and Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, but they take drastically different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those choices and reveals which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Lava Yuva 3 Pro’s Unisoc Tiger T616, making it better suited for demanding tasks and sustained usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 14 | 2023, December 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December 14 | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.1 x 8.7 mm (6.50 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 168.1 x 77.9 x 8.2 mm (6.62 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 192 g or 195 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Desert Gold, Forest Viridian (Green), Meadow Purple | Starry Black, Twilight Blue, Starry Silver, Starlight Black, Startrail Green, Startrail Silver |
| Models | - | 23124RN87G, 23124RN87I, 23124RN87C |
| Price | About 100 EUR | $ 198.99 / £ 119.00 / € 116.99 / ₹ 10,895 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
Lava Yuva 3 Pro
- Potentially more reliable software support from an Indian brand.
- May offer a simpler, less cluttered user experience.
- Competitive price point.
- Less powerful Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset.
- 12nm process is less power efficient.
- Likely to exhibit more throttling under sustained load.
Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G
- More powerful and efficient Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ chipset.
- 6nm process for better thermal management and battery life.
- PD charging support for wider charger compatibility.
- Xiaomi’s MIUI can be resource-intensive and include bloatware.
- Software update support may be less consistent than some competitors.
- Build quality may be less premium.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates a focus on the chipset's impact on UI smoothness. The Redmi 13C 5G’s more powerful GPU will contribute to a more fluid user experience when scrolling and navigating the interface, even if the resolution and refresh rate are similar.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the price point, both phones likely feature a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses of limited utility. The chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role in image quality. The Dimensity 6100+’s ISP is likely more advanced, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range compared to the Unisoc Tiger T616, potentially resulting in superior image quality in challenging lighting conditions. We expect both phones to struggle in low light.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Lava Yuva 3 Pro’s Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially less throttling during prolonged gaming or demanding app usage. Furthermore, the Dimensity 6100+ utilizes Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, compared to the Yuva 3 Pro’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz – a generational leap in CPU architecture that favors the Redmi. This means faster app launch times and snappier overall performance for the Redmi 13C 5G.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, but the Dimensity 6100+’s superior power efficiency could translate to longer real-world battery life for the Redmi 13C 5G. While the battery capacity isn't specified, the 6nm process allows the Redmi to accomplish more with each mAh. The Redmi 13C 5G also supports Power Delivery (PD) charging, offering wider compatibility with chargers and potentially faster charging speeds with a compatible adapter, a feature absent on the Lava Yuva 3 Pro.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Yuva 3 Pro if you prioritize a potentially more reliable software experience from an Indian brand and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G if you value performance, smoother multitasking, and a more modern chipset architecture that will likely receive software updates for a longer period.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Lava Yuva 3 Pro struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T616 is likely to struggle with PUBG Mobile at higher settings. You'll likely need to reduce graphics settings to low and frame rate to achieve playable performance, and even then, expect occasional frame drops. The Dimensity 6100+ in the Redmi 13C 5G will provide a significantly smoother gaming experience.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Redmi 13C 5G's MIUI software come with a lot of pre-installed bloatware?
Unfortunately, Xiaomi's MIUI is known for including a considerable amount of pre-installed apps, often referred to as bloatware. While many can be uninstalled, it's a common complaint among users. The Lava Yuva 3 Pro is likely to offer a cleaner software experience, though it may lack some of the features found in MIUI.
❓ How does the 5G performance differ between the two phones?
Both phones support 5G, but the Dimensity 6100+ in the Redmi 13C 5G generally offers better 5G modem performance and wider band support. This translates to potentially faster and more reliable 5G connectivity, especially in areas with limited 5G coverage.
