vivo Y01 vs. Xiaomi Redmi 10A: A Deep Dive into Budget Performance

The vivo Y01 and Xiaomi Redmi 10A represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum, targeting first-time buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. Both rely on Mediatek’s Helio series of chipsets, but subtle differences in CPU clock speeds and GPU architecture can significantly impact real-world performance. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone delivers the most bang for your buck.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing basic functionality like calls, messaging, and light social media, the Xiaomi Redmi 10A edges out the vivo Y01. While both phones offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the Redmi 10A’s slightly faster CPU clock speeds in the Helio G25 provide a marginally smoother experience for everyday tasks.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y01 Xiaomi Redmi 10A
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2022, March 092022, March 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 24Available. Released 2022, March 31
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions164 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight178 g (6.28 oz)194 g (6.84 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 11 (Go edition), Funtouch 11.1Android 11, MIUI 12.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single8 MP, f/2.0, AF or 13 MP, f/2.2, AF13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.25 MP
Video-1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS
RadioFM radio (market/operator dependent)No
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted, market/region dependent), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSapphire Blue, Elegant BlackCharcoal Black, Sea Blue, Slate Grey
ModelsV2166220233L2C, 220233L2G, 220233L2I
PriceAbout 150 EUR€ 60.00 / $ 66.55
SAR-0.90 W/kg (head)     0.65 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.40 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)

vivo Y01

  • Potentially cleaner software experience (Android Go Edition)
  • Slightly higher CPU clock speed on performance cores
  • Minimalist design aesthetic

  • Older chipset architecture
  • Potentially less responsive UI compared to Redmi 10A

Xiaomi Redmi 10A

  • Slightly more modern GPU architecture
  • MIUI offers more features (though can be bloated)
  • Generally more readily available

  • MIUI software can be resource-intensive
  • Lower CPU clock speed on performance cores

Display Comparison

Neither vivo nor Xiaomi provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Without knowing peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. However, the focus here isn’t display quality, but rather the processing power needed to drive the UI smoothly on these panels, which falls to the chipsets.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are expected to feature basic camera setups, likely with a primary sensor around 8-13MP. Detailed sensor information is unavailable, making a direct comparison impossible. The Redmi 10A’s marketing often highlights its camera, but this is typically achieved through software processing rather than superior hardware. Given the price point, image quality will be similar – acceptable for casual snapshots in good lighting, but struggling in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick and offers limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo Y01 features the Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35, while the Redmi 10A uses the MT6762G Helio G25. Both are octa-core CPUs using Cortex-A53 cores, but the P35 boasts a 2.35 GHz peak clock speed for its performance cores, compared to the G25’s 2.0 GHz. This 15% clock speed advantage *should* translate to faster app loading and smoother multitasking on the Y01. However, the G25 includes a slightly more modern GPU, potentially offering a small edge in basic gaming. Both phones are likely paired with 2GB or 3GB of RAM, a significant bottleneck in overall performance.

Battery Life

Both the vivo Y01 and Xiaomi Redmi 10A are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds – expect around 2.5 to 3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is also likely in the 5000mAh range for both devices, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage. The slightly more efficient Helio G25 in the Redmi 10A *might* translate to marginally longer battery life, but the difference will be negligible for most users.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y01 if you prioritize a minimalist design and a potentially cleaner software experience, leaning towards a more streamlined Android Go Edition approach. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10A if you prefer a slightly more responsive user interface and a chipset geared towards handling slightly more demanding applications, even if it means navigating Xiaomi’s MIUI software.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G25 in the Redmi 10A handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G25 can *run* PUBG Mobile, expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops, even on the Redmi 10A. These chipsets are not designed for demanding gaming experiences. It's best suited for casual gaming or less graphically intensive titles.
❓ Is the software on the Redmi 10A heavily customized with bloatware?
Xiaomi’s MIUI is known for its extensive customization options, but it also comes pre-loaded with a significant amount of bloatware. While some of these apps can be uninstalled, it’s a common complaint among users. The vivo Y01, potentially running a cleaner Android Go Edition, may offer a more streamlined software experience.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically come with, and is it expandable?
Both the vivo Y01 and Xiaomi Redmi 10A typically ship with 32GB of internal storage. Fortunately, both devices support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 1TB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps. This is crucial given the limited base storage.