The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme C25Y and the Xiaomi Redmi 10C. Both promise a solid experience without breaking the bank, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C edges out the Realme C25Y thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset and more efficient 6nm process. While both offer decent battery life and cameras, the Redmi 10C's performance advantage makes it the better overall choice for most users.
| 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, 8, 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, September 16 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI R | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 140 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) |
Realme C25Y
- Large 6.5-inch display
- Long battery life (5000mAh)
- Affordable price
- Underpowered Unisoc T610 chipset
- Slower performance
- Less impressive camera
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Efficient 6nm process
- Better camera performance
- Smoother user experience
- Design might be less appealing to some
- Still a budget phone with limitations
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for everyday use. The Redmi 10C's display might have slightly better color accuracy due to the Snapdragon chipset's better image processing capabilities, but the difference is minimal. Brightness levels are comparable.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 10C generally offers better camera performance. While both have a 50MP main sensor, the Snapdragon's image signal processor (ISP) provides better image processing, resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in low light. The Redmi 10C also often has a slightly better selfie camera. Both offer basic camera features.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 10C shines. The Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, is considerably more powerful and efficient than the Unisoc T610 in the C25Y (12nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 10C. The C25Y can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the Redmi 10C's more efficient chipset means it will likely last slightly longer on a single charge. Charging speeds are identical at 18W wired.
Buying Guide
The Realme C25Y is a good option for users prioritizing a large display and extended battery life on a tight budget, and who aren't demanding high performance. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is ideal for those seeking a smoother, more responsive experience, better camera performance, and a more modern chipset, even within the budget segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset.
❓ Does the Realme C25Y have 5G?
No, neither the Realme C25Y nor the Xiaomi Redmi 10C support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G devices.
❓ Which phone has more RAM?
Both phones are typically available in configurations with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, so it depends on the specific model you purchase.
