The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme C30 and the Xiaomi Redmi A1+. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi A1+ edges out the Realme C30 thanks to its slightly more responsive performance and generally better software experience. While both are budget options, the A1+'s Helio A22 chipset provides a noticeable advantage in everyday tasks, making it the slightly better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 20 | 2022, September 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 28 | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI Go | Android 12 (Go edition), MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lake Blue, Bamboo Green | Light Green, Light Blue, Black |
| Models | RMX3581, RMX3623 | 220733SFG |
| Price | About 90 EUR | € 78.30 / £ 72.30 / ₹ 6,670 |
| SAR | 1.02 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Realme C30
- Compact and lightweight design
- Clean and simple user interface
- Available in stylish finishes
- Underwhelming performance
- Basic camera capabilities
- Slow charging
Xiaomi Redmi A1+
- Slightly better performance
- More feature-rich software
- Good battery life
- Plastic build quality
- Average camera performance
- Slow charging
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles for their price range. Color accuracy isn't exceptional, but they're perfectly adequate for casual use. The Realme C30's design might feel slightly more premium due to its available leather-like finishes.
Camera Comparison
The Realme C30 boasts a 13MP main camera, while the Redmi A1+ features a 8MP main camera. Image quality is comparable in good lighting conditions, with both struggling in low light. Both phones offer basic camera features, but don't expect flagship-level photography.
Performance
Here's where the Redmi A1+ pulls ahead. The MediaTek Helio A22, while still a budget chipset, generally outperforms the Unisoc Tiger T612. The C30's octa-core setup, while sounding impressive, doesn't translate to significantly better real-world performance. Expect smoother navigation and app loading on the Redmi A1+.
Battery Life
Both devices offer a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, meaning a full charge will take around 2-3 hours.
Buying Guide
The Realme C30 is ideal for users prioritizing a clean, simple interface and a slightly more compact design. The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ is a better fit for those needing a bit more processing power for basic multitasking and a more feature-rich software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ generally offers slightly better gaming performance due to its more efficient chipset, although neither phone is designed for demanding games.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
Both phones typically come in configurations with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.