The Umidigi C1 Plus and Blackview A55 Pro represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 Android smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at an incredibly low price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets, impacting everything from app responsiveness to gaming capabilities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing smooth multitasking and a more responsive experience, the Blackview A55 Pro is the clear winner. Its MediaTek Helio P22 chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Umidigi C1 Plus’s MT8766, making it better suited for everyday tasks and light gaming. However, the C1 Plus remains a viable option for extremely basic use cases.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2022, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2022, March |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 164.8 x 76.7 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| 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 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8766 | Mediatek MT6762V Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
other unspecified cameras |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 5150 mAh | 4780 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Sunglow Gold | Black, Blue, White, Green |
| Price | - | About 130 EUR |
Umidigi C1 Plus
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful processor.
- Lower price point (likely).
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Significantly slower performance.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
- Poor gaming performance.
Blackview A55 Pro
- Faster and more responsive performance.
- Better multitasking capabilities.
- More enjoyable gaming experience.
- More efficient chipset.
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to C1 Plus.
- Slightly higher price point.
Display Comparison
Neither Umidigi nor Blackview provide detailed display specifications beyond the basic panel size. Given the price point, expect both to utilize IPS LCD panels. However, the lack of information makes a direct comparison difficult. We can infer that both will likely have similar color accuracy and viewing angles, typical of budget IPS displays. Bezels are expected to be relatively thick on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups, and detailed sensor information is scarce. It's safe to assume both will include a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor. However, the image processing capabilities tied to the Helio P22 chipset in the A55 Pro will likely result in better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Umidigi C1 Plus’s image processing will be more limited, resulting in softer images with less detail. Focusing on the primary sensor resolution is key, as any secondary sensors are likely to be low-resolution and of limited practical use.
Performance
The Blackview A55 Pro’s MediaTek Helio P22 (MT6762V) is the clear performance leader. Its octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) significantly outperforms the Umidigi C1 Plus’s quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 processor. The Helio P22’s 12nm process node is also more efficient than the MT8766, potentially leading to better thermal management under sustained load. This translates to faster app launch times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the A55 Pro. The C1 Plus will struggle with demanding applications and may exhibit noticeable lag.
Battery Life
While specific battery capacities aren't provided, both phones likely feature batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range, typical for this price segment. The Blackview A55 Pro’s more efficient Helio P22 chipset will likely translate to longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the C1 Plus. Both phones support 10W wired charging, meaning relatively slow charging speeds. Expect a full charge to take several hours for both devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi C1 Plus if you need a phone solely for calls, texts, and very light web browsing, and battery life is paramount. It's a good choice for a first smartphone for someone with minimal needs. Buy the Blackview A55 Pro if you prefer a more fluid user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, or frequently use multiple apps simultaneously. The A55 Pro offers a noticeable performance boost for a small price increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Blackview A55 Pro struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the Helio P22 is a budget chipset, it's capable of running apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly. You might experience some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously, but for typical social media usage, it should be adequate. The Umidigi C1 Plus will likely exhibit more noticeable lag even with these apps.
❓ Is the MT8766 chipset in the Umidigi C1 Plus sufficient for basic navigation and calls?
Yes, the MT8766 is perfectly adequate for basic tasks like making calls, sending texts, and using simple navigation apps. However, it will struggle with anything more demanding. If your primary use case is communication and minimal internet browsing, the C1 Plus will suffice.
❓ Can the Blackview A55 Pro handle light gaming, like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
Yes, the Helio P22 in the A55 Pro can handle light gaming titles like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers at playable frame rates. Don't expect to run graphically intensive games, but for casual gaming, it's a viable option. The Umidigi C1 Plus will likely struggle even with these simpler games.
