The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Tecno Pova Neo 2 and the Xiaomi Redmi 10C. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C edges out the Tecno Pova Neo 2 thanks to its more efficient 6nm Snapdragon 680 chipset, resulting in better performance and battery life. While the Pova Neo 2 boasts a larger screen, the Redmi 10C's overall package is more compelling 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 | LTE | 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 | 2022, September 26 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 03 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 170.9 x 77.8 x 9.6 mm (6.73 x 3.06 x 0.38 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 | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, HIOS 8.6 | 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 |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, (wide), AF
Secondary unknown camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (LG6n only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 7000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Uranolite Gray, Virtual Blue, Orange Magma | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | LG6n | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 240 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) |
Tecno Pova Neo 2
- Larger Display
- Aggressive Pricing
- Decent Battery Life
- Less Efficient Chipset
- Lower Performance
- Subpar Low-Light Camera
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- More Efficient Chipset
- Better Performance
- Improved Camera
- Sleeker Design
- Smaller Display
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Tecno Pova Neo 2 features a larger 6.8-inch display, offering more screen real estate for gaming and video watching. The Redmi 10C has a 6.53-inch display. Both utilize an HD+ resolution, so pixel density is comparable, but the larger size of the Pova Neo 2 might be preferable for some.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 10C generally offers a slightly better camera experience. While both have a primary 50MP sensor, the Snapdragon's image signal processor (ISP) typically handles image processing more effectively. The Redmi 10C also often includes additional features like a depth sensor. Both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggle in low light.
Performance
Here's where the Redmi 10C shines. The Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is significantly more efficient than the Helio G85 (12nm) in the Pova Neo 2. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the Redmi 10C. While both are octa-core, the Snapdragon's architecture is more modern and optimized.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a 5000mAh battery, but the Redmi 10C's more efficient chipset gives it a noticeable advantage in battery life. Expect the Redmi 10C to comfortably last a full day of moderate use, while the Pova Neo 2 might require a top-up before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Pova Neo 2 is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display for media consumption and gaming, and who are on a very tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is ideal for those seeking a balance of performance, battery life, and a decent camera system in a budget-friendly package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful and efficient chipset. While the Tecno Pova Neo 2's larger screen might be appealing, the performance limitations will be noticeable in demanding games.
❓ Does either phone have 5G connectivity?
No, neither the Tecno Pova Neo 2 nor the Xiaomi Redmi 10C support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G LTE devices.