The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y01 and Xiaomi Redmi 10C aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Redmi 10C leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon 680 while the Y01 relies on MediaTek's Helio P35. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 10C is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, delivers noticeably better performance and improved power efficiency compared to the vivo Y01's Helio P35. While the Y01 is cheaper, the Redmi 10C's faster charging and overall smoother experience justify the slight price premium.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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, March 09 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 24 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 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 | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF
or
13 MP, f/2.2, AF | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio (market/operator dependent) | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted, market/region dependent), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Blue, Elegant Black | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | V2166 | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 150 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) |
vivo Y01
- Lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Acceptable for basic tasks
- Outdated and less efficient Helio P35 chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited performance for demanding apps
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Slightly higher price
- May still struggle with graphically intensive games
- Basic camera system
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, details like resolution and peak brightness are missing. The focus here is on internal performance, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing cost reduction over a premium aesthetic. Color accuracy is likely to be standard for budget phones, meaning it won't be color-accurate for professional work.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, given the expected sensor quality in this price range. Details on sensor sizes and apertures are unavailable, but both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with basic auxiliary lenses (potentially a 2MP macro). Image processing will be the key differentiator, and Xiaomi’s software generally offers more features and refinement. Don't expect flagship-level image quality from either device; they are adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the vivo Y01’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 680 translates to better power efficiency and reduced heat generation, leading to sustained performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 680’s Kryo 265 Gold cores (2.4 GHz) offer a performance advantage over the Helio P35’s Cortex-A53 cores (2.35 GHz). This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the Redmi 10C. The Helio P35 will struggle with demanding applications and heavier multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones will likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Redmi 10C’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Y01’s 10W charging. This translates to significantly faster charging times, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 680’s efficiency means the Redmi 10C can potentially deliver comparable or even better battery life despite potentially having a similar or smaller battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y01 if your primary need is an extremely affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and you prioritize absolute minimum cost. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10C if you value a more responsive user experience, better multitasking capabilities, and faster charging, even if it means spending a little more. The Redmi 10C is the better option for anyone planning to use their phone beyond the most basic functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 10C's Snapdragon 680 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 680 can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings (Medium or Low) to maintain a stable frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's significantly better suited for gaming than the Helio P35 in the vivo Y01, which would struggle even at the lowest settings.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 10W and 18W really that noticeable?
Yes, the difference is substantial. 18W charging on the Redmi 10C will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the phone compared to the Y01's 10W charging. Expect a 0-100% charge to take considerably longer on the Y01.
❓ How much of a performance difference will I see in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
You'll notice a smoother and more responsive experience with the Redmi 10C. App loading times will be faster, scrolling will be less laggy, and multitasking will be more fluid thanks to the Snapdragon 680's superior processing power and efficiency.
❓ Does either phone support VoLTE or Wi-Fi 5?
While not explicitly stated, both phones are likely to support VoLTE for improved call quality and Wi-Fi 5 for faster wireless internet speeds, as these are standard features for smartphones in this price range. However, confirm compatibility with your carrier before purchasing.
