The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Lava Z2 Max and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport takes the crown. Its octa-core processor and more efficient chipset provide noticeably better performance than the Lava Z2 Max's quad-core. While both are budget options, the Redmi 9A Sport offers a smoother experience and slightly better features for a similar price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 11 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 11 | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 174.7 x 78.6 x 9.1 mm (6.88 x 3.09 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 | 216 g (7.62 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~256 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 116.4 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 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, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stroked Blue, Stroked Cyan | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | LS0001 | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Lava Z2 Max
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Basic Functionality
- Lower Performance
- Older Chipset
- Slower Charging
- Basic Camera
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- Better Performance
- Modern Chipset
- Slightly Improved Camera
- 10W Charging
- Slightly Higher Price
- Display may be smaller
Display Comparison
The Lava Z2 Max boasts a larger display (likely 6.5-inch) which is great for media consumption. The Redmi 9A Sport likely has a slightly smaller, but still adequate, display (around 6.53 inches). Both will likely feature HD+ resolution, so expect decent but not exceptional sharpness. Color accuracy and brightness are likely to be standard for budget phones.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups, probably a 13MP main camera and a depth sensor. The Redmi 9A Sport's more modern chipset might offer slightly better image processing and low-light performance. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions, but don't expect flagship-level quality.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 9A Sport shines. Its Mediatek Helio G25 chipset with an octa-core processor significantly outperforms the Lava Z2 Max's quad-core. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the Redmi 9A Sport. Gaming performance will also be noticeably better.
Battery Life
Both phones are likely to offer large batteries (5000mAh or greater) providing all-day battery life. The Redmi 9A Sport's 10W charging is a slight advantage over the Lava Z2 Max, which likely has slower charging.
Buying Guide
The Lava Z2 Max is a good option for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on an extremely tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport is ideal for those seeking a more responsive phone with better performance, a slightly improved camera, and a more modern chipset, even if the price is marginally higher.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the processors?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport has an octa-core Mediatek Helio G25, while the Lava Z2 Max has a quad-core processor. The Redmi 9A Sport's processor is significantly faster and more efficient.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful processor and graphics capabilities.
