Looking for an affordable smartphone that won't break the bank? The vivo Y01 and Xiaomi Redmi A1+ are two contenders vying for the title of best budget phone. Both offer essential features, but which one delivers the most value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo Y01 edges out the Redmi A1+ thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and octa-core CPU, resulting in smoother performance for everyday tasks. However, the Redmi A1+ boasts a potentially better software experience and might be more readily available in some regions. Ultimately, it's a close call!
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 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, September 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 24 | Available. Released 2022, September 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) | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 192 g (6.77 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) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 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) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), Funtouch 11.1 | Android 12 (Go edition), MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF
or
13 MP, f/2.2, AF | - |
| 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 | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio (market/operator dependent) | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted, market/region dependent), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Blue, Elegant Black | Light Green, Light Blue, Black |
| Models | V2166 | 220733SFG |
| Price | About 150 EUR | € 78.30 / £ 72.30 / ₹ 6,670 |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y01
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- Octa-core CPU for better performance
- Decent battery life
- Generally reliable brand
- Slow 10W charging
- Basic camera performance
- Plastic build quality
Xiaomi Redmi A1+
- Clean Android experience
- Potentially better software support
- Good value for money
- Reliable brand
- Less powerful chipset
- Quad-core CPU can feel sluggish
- Slow 10W charging
- Basic camera performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for everyday use. Color accuracy is typical for this price range, leaning towards slightly oversaturated hues. Neither phone stands out significantly in this area.
Camera Comparison
The vivo Y01 typically features a 13MP main camera, while the Redmi A1+ often includes a 13MP main camera as well. Image quality is generally acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. Both phones offer basic camera features like portrait mode and HDR. The Y01 might offer slightly better image processing.
Performance
The vivo Y01's Mediatek Helio P35 chipset with an octa-core CPU provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi A1+'s Helio A22 quad-core processor. Expect smoother app loading times and slightly better responsiveness on the Y01, especially when multitasking. The A1+ will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W wired, which is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect around 2-3 hours to fully charge either phone.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y01 is ideal for users prioritizing a bit more processing power for basic multitasking and occasional gaming. The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ is a great choice for those seeking a reliable, user-friendly phone with a clean Android experience and potentially better software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo Y01 is slightly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and octa-core CPU. However, neither phone is designed for demanding games.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Xiaomi Redmi A1+ is likely to receive better and more frequent software updates due to Xiaomi's broader support for its devices.