The Lava Yuva and Xiaomi Poco C31 represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which offers the better balance of performance, usability, and value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco C31 edges out the Lava Yuva. While both share a 10W charging rate, the Poco C31’s Helio G35 chipset, with its slightly higher clocked Cortex-A53 cores, provides a noticeable performance boost in everyday tasks and light gaming, making it the more responsive option.
| 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 | 2021 | 2021, September 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021 | Available. Released 2021, October 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.8 x 9.2 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.36 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 | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Luster Blue, Luster Green | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Metallic Black, Metallic Blue, Metallic Grey | Royal Blue, Shadow Gray |
| Models | - | MZB0A0MIN, MZB0A0KIN, 211033MI, 22031116AI |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 0.44 W/kg (head) 0.14 W/kg (body) | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
Lava Yuva
- Potentially better brand support in specific regions (India)
- Reliable basic functionality for essential tasks
- Likely a more compact form factor
- Slightly slower processor compared to the Poco C31
- Potentially less refined software experience
Xiaomi Poco C31
- More powerful Helio G35 chipset for smoother performance
- Established brand with wider software support
- Slightly better gaming capabilities
- May have more pre-installed bloatware
- Potentially less focus on regional support compared to Lava
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize standard IPS LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed display specs like resolution and brightness are unavailable, but we can infer they are similar – likely 720p+ resolution. The focus here isn’t on visual fidelity, but on basic readability. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, with both likely featuring a primary sensor paired with basic auxiliary lenses (often 2MP depth or macro sensors). Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. Image processing will likely be heavily reliant on software algorithms to enhance photos, and results will be adequate for social media sharing in good lighting conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means low-light photography will be challenging.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco C31’s Mediatek Helio G35 (12nm) features a CPU clocked up to 2.3 GHz, compared to the Lava Yuva’s Helio G25 (12nm) with a peak of 2.0 GHz. While both utilize the same Cortex-A53 architecture, the higher clock speed on the G35 translates to faster processing of instructions. This means quicker app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive user interface on the Poco C31. The G35 also has a slightly more capable GPU, offering a marginal improvement in gaming performance. Both devices will struggle with demanding titles, but the Poco C31 will handle less intensive games more comfortably.
Battery Life
Both the Lava Yuva and Poco C31 are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn’t specified, typical capacities for phones in this segment range from 4000mAh to 5000mAh. The slower charging rate means a full charge will take several hours. Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both devices should comfortably last a full day with moderate use, prioritizing essential functions like calls, messaging, and light browsing.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Yuva if you prioritize a brand with a growing presence in the Indian market and are looking for a reliably basic smartphone experience for essential communication and light social media use. Buy the Xiaomi Poco C31 if you prefer a slightly more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and a marginally better gaming experience, and value the established ecosystem and software support offered by Xiaomi.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco C31 be able to run PUBG Mobile smoothly?
While the Poco C31 can *launch* PUBG Mobile, expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops, even with optimized settings. The Helio G35 isn't a gaming powerhouse, and PUBG is a demanding title. The Lava Yuva will likely struggle even more.
❓ How much bloatware is pre-installed on the Xiaomi Poco C31?
Xiaomi devices are known for including pre-installed apps (bloatware). The Poco C31 is likely to come with several third-party apps, but many can be uninstalled. This is a common trade-off for the lower price point and feature set.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed acceptable for daily use?
10W charging is slow by modern standards, taking several hours for a full charge. However, for users who charge their phones overnight, it's generally sufficient. Both devices offer similar charging speeds, so this isn't a differentiating factor.
❓ Which phone is better for older adults who primarily use their phone for calls and messaging?
Both phones are suitable for basic communication. However, the slightly simpler software experience on the Lava Yuva might be preferable for users less familiar with technology. The larger screen size (if any) on the Poco C31 could also be beneficial for readability.
