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 A2. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi A2 edges out the Realme C30 thanks to its slightly more powerful Helio G36 chipset, offering a smoother experience for everyday tasks. While both are budget options, the Redmi A2 provides a bit more performance for a similar price point. Both offer 10W charging, a significant limitation.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 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 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 20 | 2023, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 28 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| 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 | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| 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) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI Go | Android 12 or 13 (Go edition), MIUI |
| 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, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens |
| 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 | 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 | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lake Blue, Bamboo Green | Aqua Blue, Classic Black, Sea Green |
| Models | RMX3581, RMX3623 | 23028RN4DG, 23026RN54G |
| Price | About 90 EUR | € 59.00 / £ 54.95 |
| SAR | 1.02 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Realme C30
- Clean and simple UI
- Lightweight and compact design
- Decent battery life
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging
- Basic camera performance
Xiaomi Redmi A2
- Slightly better performance
- Good value for money
- Reliable brand
- Slow charging
- Basic camera performance
- HD+ display quality
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. Neither display stands out significantly, making it a draw.
Camera Comparison
The Realme C30 typically features a 13MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor, while the Redmi A2 boasts a 8MP main camera and a depth sensor. Image quality is generally acceptable in good lighting conditions, but both struggle in low light. The Redmi A2's image processing might be slightly better, but the difference is minimal. Expect grainy photos and limited detail.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi A2's Mediatek Helio G36 holds a slight advantage over the Realme C30's Unisoc Tiger T612. The G36's higher clocked Cortex-A53 cores provide a noticeable boost in responsiveness, especially when multitasking or using slightly more demanding apps. The Realme C30 is adequate for basic tasks but can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both devices are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the slow 10W charging on both phones means it will take several hours to fully recharge. Battery life is a draw, but charging speed is a significant drawback for both.
Buying Guide
The Realme C30 is ideal for users prioritizing a clean, simple interface and basic functionality. It's a good choice for first-time smartphone users or those needing a secondary device. The Xiaomi Redmi A2 is better suited for users who want a slightly more responsive experience for social media, browsing, and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi A2 is slightly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset, although neither phone is designed for demanding games.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer all-day battery life with moderate usage, thanks to their 5000mAh batteries. However, charging is slow at 10W.
