Looking for an affordable smartphone that won't break the bank? The vivo Y01 and Xiaomi Redmi 9A are popular contenders in the budget segment. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi 9A edges out the Y01 thanks to its slightly more capable chipset and generally better software experience. While both are entry-level devices, the Redmi 9A provides a marginally smoother performance and a more polished feel, making it the slightly better choice 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 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 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, March 09 | 2020, June 30. Released 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 24 | Discontinued |
| 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) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), Funtouch 11.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF
or
13 MP, f/2.2, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio (market/operator dependent) | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted, market/region dependent), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Blue, Elegant Black | Carbon Gray (Midnight Black), Sky Blue (Sea Blue), Ocean Green (Nature Green) |
| Models | V2166 | M2006C3LG, M2006C3LI, M2006C3LC, M2004C3L |
| Price | About 150 EUR | € 64.30 / $ 56.50 / £ 95.56 |
| SAR | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y01
- Clean and simple user interface
- Long battery life
- Sleek design (subjective)
- Reliable brand reputation
- Underpowered chipset
- Basic camera performance
- Slow charging (10W)
- Limited storage options
Xiaomi Redmi 9A
- Slightly better performance
- More feature-rich MIUI software
- Decent camera for the price
- Good value for money
- Can feel slightly bulky
- Basic camera performance
- Slow charging (10W)
- Advertisements in MIUI (can be disabled)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch HD+ (720 x 1600) IPS LCD display. While the resolution is the same, the Redmi 9A often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Xiaomi's display tuning. Viewing angles are acceptable on both, but don't expect vibrant colors or high contrast ratios.
Camera Comparison
The vivo Y01 typically features a 13MP main camera with a 2MP macro lens, while the Redmi 9A has a 13MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor. Image quality is comparable in good lighting conditions, with both producing decent but not exceptional results. Low-light performance is weak on both devices. The Redmi 9A's depth sensor can provide slightly better portrait mode results.
Performance
The Redmi 9A's Helio G25 chipset, while still entry-level, offers a slight performance advantage over the Y01's Helio P35. The G25 includes a GPU that handles basic games better. Expect slightly smoother navigation and app loading on the Redmi 9A. Both phones will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones boast a large 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. Real-world usage will likely be similar, with both easily lasting a full day with moderate use. However, the Y01's less demanding chipset *might* give it a slight edge in extreme battery saving scenarios.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y01 is ideal for users prioritizing a clean, simple interface and extended battery life for basic tasks. The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is a better fit for those who need a bit more processing power for light gaming or multitasking and appreciate a slightly more feature-rich experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A has a slight edge in gaming performance due to its Helio G25 chipset and slightly better GPU.
❓ Is the vivo Y01 good for basic tasks like calling and texting?
Yes, the vivo Y01 is perfectly adequate for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web. Its long battery life is a plus for these activities.
❓ Do both phones support expandable storage?
Yes, both the vivo Y01 and Xiaomi Redmi 9A support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.
