The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Lava Z2 and Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences and real-world implications of the Mediatek Helio G35 in the Lava Z2 versus the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 in the Redmi 9 Power.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, offers a more efficient and capable experience than the Lava Z2’s Helio G35. While the Lava Z2 is a viable option, the Redmi 9 Power provides a smoother overall experience.
| 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 07 | 2020, December 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 11 | Available. Released 2020, December 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 8 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Red | Mighty Black, Fiery Red, Electric Green, Blazing Blue |
| Models | LMG02 | M2010J19SI, M2010J19SL |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) |
Lava Z2
- Potentially lower price point
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less powerful processor
- No fast charging
- Likely inferior camera performance
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 662
- 18W fast charging and reverse wired charging
- Better image processing capabilities
- May be slightly more expensive
- Software experience can be cluttered with Xiaomi bloatware
- Potentially larger physical size
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data focuses on processing power, we can infer both likely utilize standard LCD panels. The Redmi 9 Power, given Xiaomi’s typical feature set, likely has a higher peak brightness than the Lava Z2, improving outdoor visibility. Bezels are expected to be similar, reflecting the budget nature of both devices. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a priority on either.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market segment, both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with basic auxiliary lenses (depth, macro). The Redmi 9 Power, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), will likely deliver better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The Lava Z2’s image processing will likely be more basic. The presence of a more powerful ISP in the Redmi 9 Power allows for more sophisticated features like better HDR and noise reduction.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) is architecturally superior to the Lava Z2’s Mediatek Helio G35 (12nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 662 utilizes Qualcomm’s Kryo 260 Gold and Silver cores, offering a more refined balance of performance and efficiency. The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon 662 contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Helio G35, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. The Snapdragon 662’s Adreno 610 GPU also provides a significant advantage in graphics performance.
Battery Life
The Redmi 9 Power’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Lava Z2, which lacks fast charging capabilities. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Redmi 9 Power’s faster charging will translate to significantly less time tethered to a wall outlet. The 2.5W reverse wired charging on the Redmi 9 Power is a useful feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds, a feature absent on the Lava Z2. The Snapdragon 662’s improved efficiency also contributes to potentially longer battery life during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Z2 if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and are extremely budget-constrained. Its Helio G35 is sufficient for these workloads. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power if you prefer a more responsive experience for multitasking, occasional gaming, and appreciate the convenience of 18W fast charging and reverse wired charging, making it a more versatile daily driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G35 in the Lava Z2 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Helio G35 can handle basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns when multitasking or using these apps alongside other applications. The Snapdragon 662 in the Redmi 9 Power offers a smoother experience for these common tasks.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Redmi 9 Power compared to the Lava Z2?
The Redmi 9 Power’s 18W fast charging will significantly reduce charging times. While a precise 0-100% time for the Lava Z2 is unknown, it will likely take considerably longer due to the lack of fast charging support. Expect the Redmi 9 Power to charge from 0-100% in around 2-3 hours, while the Lava Z2 could take 4+ hours.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 662 in the Redmi 9 Power capable of playing modern mobile games?
The Snapdragon 662 can handle many popular mobile games at medium settings. However, demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile may require lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio G35 in the Lava Z2 will struggle with these games, even at the lowest settings.
❓ Does the Redmi 9 Power's reverse wired charging work with any device?
Yes, the Redmi 9 Power’s 2.5W reverse wired charging can be used to charge most devices that support charging via USB-C or Micro-USB, including wireless earbuds, smartwatches, and other smartphones. However, charging speeds will be slow.
