The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme C11 (2021) and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport edges out the Realme C11 (2021) thanks to its slightly more efficient chipset and generally smoother performance. While both are budget options, the Redmi 9A Sport offers a more responsive experience for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 28 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 28 | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 3.01 x 0.35 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | Splash resistant design | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme Go UI | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cool Blue, Cool Grey | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | RMX3231 | - |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Realme C11 (2021)
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Reverse wired charging
- Slower processor
- Basic camera performance
- Slow charging
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- Slightly better performance
- Efficient chipset
- Good value for money
- Basic camera performance
- Slow charging
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for indoor use. Color accuracy is typical for this price range, leaning towards slightly oversaturated hues. The Realme C11 (2021) might have a slightly larger display area, but the difference is negligible.
Camera Comparison
The Realme C11 (2021) typically features a dual-camera setup (13MP + 2MP) while the Redmi 9A Sport usually has a single 13MP camera. Image quality is comparable in good lighting conditions, with both phones struggling in low light. Expect decent results for casual snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level photography.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport's MediaTek Helio G25 chipset (12nm) provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Realme C11 (2021)'s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The G25's Cortex-A53 cores generally offer better efficiency and responsiveness, resulting in smoother app loading and navigation. Gaming performance is also slightly better on the Redmi 9A Sport.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a large 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W wired, which is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect around 2-3 hours to fully charge either device.
Buying Guide
The Realme C11 (2021) is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality for calls, texts, and light media consumption. The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport is better suited for those needing a bit more performance for multitasking and occasional gaming, even on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport generally offers better gaming performance due to its more efficient chipset.
❓ Do both phones support 4G LTE?
Yes, both the Realme C11 (2021) and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport support 4G LTE connectivity.
