The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Oppo A16K and Xiaomi Redmi 10C aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Redmi 10C leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon 680 while the A16K relies on MediaTek's Helio G35. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 10C is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides noticeably better performance and thermal management compared to the Oppo A16K’s Helio G35. While the A16K is cheaper, the Redmi 10C’s faster charging and improved processor justify the slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 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 | 2021, November 08 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 08 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4230 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | CPH2349 | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 550 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
Oppo A16K
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Adequate for basic smartphone tasks
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging speed
- Likely lower performance in demanding apps
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Slightly higher price
- May not offer significant camera improvements without sensor details
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, details like peak brightness and color accuracy are unavailable. The focus here is on the internal hardware. The display quality will likely be similar, prioritizing visibility over fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside auxiliary lenses, but specific sensor details are lacking. Given the price point, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The Redmi 10C’s more powerful processor could potentially enable more sophisticated image processing algorithms, leading to better results in challenging lighting conditions. However, without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive judgment is impossible. It's safe to assume both will perform adequately in good lighting but struggle in low light.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Oppo A16K’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially sustained performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 680 utilizes Kryo 265 Gold cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, offering a performance advantage over the A16K’s 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This means the Redmi 10C will handle multitasking and more demanding apps with greater ease. The Helio G35 is adequate for basic use, but will struggle with heavier workloads.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but the Redmi 10C’s 18W charging is a clear advantage over the A16K’s 10W charging. This faster charging speed will significantly reduce the time spent tethered to a power outlet. Even with a similar battery capacity, the Snapdragon 680’s superior efficiency should result in longer battery life on the Redmi 10C, especially during moderate to heavy use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A16K if your primary need is an extremely affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and you prioritize absolute lowest cost above all else. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10C if you want a smoother, more responsive experience for everyday tasks, occasional gaming, and appreciate faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 10C handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi 10C is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, but likely at lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio G35 in the A16K will struggle with these titles, offering a significantly less enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Redmi 10C compared to the A16K?
The Redmi 10C’s 18W charging will significantly reduce charging times compared to the A16K’s 10W charging. While exact 0-100% times are unavailable, expect the Redmi 10C to charge considerably faster, potentially cutting charging time by 30-50%.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio G35 and Snapdragon 680 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Snapdragon 680 provides a smoother and more responsive experience when opening apps, multitasking, and browsing the web. The Helio G35 may exhibit lag or stuttering during these tasks, especially with multiple apps open.
