The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y21t and Xiaomi Redmi 10C are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi 10C edges out the Y21t due to its slightly better overall value proposition, particularly with its larger display and potentially more competitive pricing. Both share the same Snapdragon 680 chipset, so performance is largely similar, but the Redmi 10C offers a more complete package.
| 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, 8, 40 | 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, January 03 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 10 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 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 (~81.8% 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 (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 12 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | 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/1.8, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, GALILEO, BDS | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Pearl White | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | V2135 | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 190 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 Y21t
- Sleek design
- Potentially better software experience (Funtouch OS)
- Reverse wired charging
- Likely lower resolution display
- Potentially less versatile camera
- Smaller battery capacity
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Larger, higher resolution display
- More versatile camera system
- Larger battery capacity
- Reverse wired charging
- MIUI software can be polarizing
- Design may be less premium
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch display, but the Redmi 10C typically boasts a slightly higher resolution (likely FHD+ vs. HD+ on the Y21t). This results in a sharper image on the Redmi 10C. Viewing angles and color accuracy are likely comparable, though vivo often has a slightly more vibrant color profile.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 10C generally features a more versatile camera system, often including a higher resolution main sensor (50MP vs. likely 13MP on the Y21t) and potentially a depth sensor for improved portrait mode. The Y21t might offer slightly better image processing in certain scenarios, but the Redmi 10C's hardware advantage is noticeable.
Performance
The shared Snapdragon 680 chipset ensures similar performance in everyday tasks and light gaming. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive app loading. However, thermal management could be a differentiating factor, with one phone potentially handling sustained loads better than the other.
Battery Life
The Redmi 10C typically has a larger battery capacity (5000mAh vs. likely 4905mAh on the Y21t), translating to potentially longer battery life. Both support 18W charging, but the Redmi 10C's reverse charging capability is a useful bonus.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y21t is a good choice for users prioritizing a slightly more refined design and potentially better software experience (vivo's Funtouch OS). The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is ideal for those seeking a larger display, potentially better battery life, and a more budget-friendly price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
Both phones share the same Snapdragon 680 chipset, so performance will be very similar for everyday tasks and light gaming. Thermal management might be a differentiating factor.
❓ Is the vivo Y21t's Funtouch OS better than Xiaomi's MIUI?
This is subjective. Funtouch OS is often considered cleaner and more streamlined, while MIUI offers more customization options but can be perceived as bloated by some users.