The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Xiaomi Redmi 10C and the vivo Y02s aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 10C emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 680, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the vivo Y02s’ Helio P35, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the Y02s is cheaper, the Redmi 10C’s superior chipset and faster charging 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, August 01 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 22 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76 x 8.2 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.32 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 | 182 g (6.42 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 (~82.1% 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 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 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 | 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 | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0; OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Vibrant Blue, Fluorite Black | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | V2203 | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 100 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 Y02s
- More powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Slightly higher price point
- May not have a significantly better display
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Lower price
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Likely similar battery capacity
- Less powerful Helio P35 chipset
- Slower 10W wired charging
- Potential for throttling under load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, details like resolution and peak brightness are missing. The Redmi 10C’s larger screen size (6.53” vs. the Y02s’ 6.51”) offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience, but the difference is minimal. Without specific brightness data, it’s difficult to assess outdoor visibility, but Xiaomi generally offers slightly better panel calibration in this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones featuring basic camera setups. Details on sensor sizes and image processing are unavailable, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. Both will likely struggle in low-light conditions. The Redmi 10C may benefit from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), potentially offering slightly better image quality and processing speeds. The presence of a 50MP main sensor on the Redmi 10C (based on market trends) is likely superior to the Y02s’ sensor, though megapixel count isn’t everything.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the vivo Y02s’ MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 680 delivers superior power efficiency, resulting in less heat generation and potentially reduced throttling during sustained workloads. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 680’s Kryo 265 Gold cores, clocked at 2.4 GHz, offer a performance edge over the Helio P35’s Cortex-A53 cores at 2.35 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Redmi 10C. The Y02s will handle basic tasks, but the 10C is better equipped for more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Redmi 10C’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Y02s’ 10W charging. This means significantly faster top-up times, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, both likely fall in the 5000mAh range, common for this segment. The Snapdragon 680’s superior power efficiency will also contribute to longer battery life on the Redmi 10C, even with similar capacity, as it consumes less power during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y02s if your primary need is an extremely affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and you prioritize minimizing upfront cost above all else. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10C if you want a more capable device for everyday multitasking, occasional gaming, and appreciate faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 10C handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi 10C can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (Medium or Low) to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio P35 in the Y02s will struggle with these titles, offering a less enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone from 0%?
With its 18W charging, the Redmi 10C should fully charge in approximately 2-2.5 hours. The vivo Y02s, with its 10W charging, will take significantly longer, likely around 3.5-4 hours to reach 100%.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi 10C will provide a smoother and more responsive experience for everyday tasks. App loading times will be faster, and multitasking will be less prone to lag compared to the Helio P35 in the Y02s.
