The Plum Ram 10 LTE and Xiaomi Redmi A2+ represent the very bottom of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at an incredibly low cost, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Redmi A2+ leverages Mediatek’s Helio G36, while the Plum Ram 10 LTE opts for a Unisoc T107 chipset. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, if basic, smartphone experience, the Xiaomi Redmi A2+ emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G36 chipset, with its octa-core configuration, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Unisoc T107 in the Plum Ram 10 LTE, making it more responsive for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 26, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 18 | 2023, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 18 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 133.4 x 64.4 x 15.8 mm (5.25 x 2.54 x 0.62 in) | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 109 g (3.84 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Flashlight | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~20.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T107 | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | - | Android 12 or 13 (Go edition), MIUI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128MB, 48MB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | No | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | - | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 1700 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Black/Orange | Aqua Blue, Classic Black, Sea Green |
| Models | - | 23028RNCAG, 23028RN4DI, 23028RNCAI, 23028RN4DH |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Plum Ram 10 LTE
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and reliable for basic tasks
- May offer longer software support (depending on manufacturer)
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Redmi A2+
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Display and camera quality likely to be inferior
Xiaomi Redmi A2+
- More powerful Mediatek Helio G36 chipset
- Larger 5000mAh battery for all-day use
- Octa-core processor for smoother multitasking
- Slow 10W charging
- Camera quality is still limited
- May be slightly more expensive than the Plum Ram 10 LTE
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to boast a high-quality display. Specifications are unavailable for the Plum Ram 10 LTE’s display, suggesting a basic LCD panel. The Redmi A2+ also utilizes an LCD, but details regarding its brightness or color accuracy are limited. Given the price bracket, both displays will likely prioritize power efficiency over visual fidelity, with noticeable limitations in outdoor visibility and color reproduction. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both models.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a strong suit for either device. Details are scarce for both, but given the target price point, expect basic sensors. The Redmi A2+ likely features a primary sensor around 8MP, while the Plum Ram 10 LTE’s sensor resolution is unknown. Image quality will be acceptable in ideal lighting conditions, but will suffer significantly in low light. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the Redmi A2+ is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to its low resolution and fixed focus.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi A2+’s Mediatek Helio G36 (12nm) is an octa-core processor featuring four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and another four at 1.7 GHz. This configuration provides a significant advantage over the Plum Ram 10 LTE’s Unisoc T107, which lacks core count details but is generally positioned as a lower-tier chipset. The 12nm process node of the Helio G36 also suggests better power efficiency compared to potentially older nodes used in the Unisoc chip. This translates to smoother app launches, faster web browsing, and a more responsive overall user experience on the Redmi A2+. While neither is a gaming powerhouse, the Helio G36 will handle lighter games more effectively.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are unavailable for the Plum Ram 10 LTE. The Xiaomi Redmi A2+ features a 5000mAh battery coupled with 10W wired charging. While 10W charging is slow, the large battery capacity should provide all-day battery life for moderate usage. The Plum Ram 10 LTE’s battery life will depend heavily on its capacity and the efficiency of the Unisoc T107 chipset, but it’s unlikely to surpass the Redmi A2+ in longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Plum Ram 10 LTE if your primary need is a simple, reliable device for basic communication – calls, texts, and light app usage – and you prioritize a potentially lower price point. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi A2+ if you prefer a more responsive user experience, even for modest multitasking, and anticipate using slightly more demanding applications, benefiting from the Helio G36’s octa-core architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Xiaomi Redmi A2+ struggle with popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram?
While the Helio G36 isn't a powerhouse, it should handle Facebook and Instagram reasonably well. Expect some loading times and occasional lag when scrolling through image-heavy feeds, but the experience should be usable for most users. The Plum Ram 10 LTE with its Unisoc T107 may exhibit more noticeable slowdowns.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Redmi A2+ painfully slow?
Yes, 10W charging is quite slow by modern standards. A full charge from 0% to 100% will take several hours. However, the large 5000mAh battery means you won't need to charge it every day with moderate use. Overnight charging is recommended.
❓ Can either of these phones run multiple apps simultaneously without significant slowdown?
Multitasking is limited on both devices. The Xiaomi Redmi A2+ with its octa-core processor and likely more RAM will handle a few apps better than the Plum Ram 10 LTE, but don't expect to seamlessly switch between many demanding applications. Closing unused apps is crucial for maintaining performance.