Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Xiaomi Poco C31 and Realme C30 are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one reigns supreme? This detailed comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C30 edges out the Poco C31 thanks to its slightly more efficient chipset and generally smoother performance. While both offer basic functionality, the Realme C30 provides a marginally better user experience for the price, especially for everyday tasks. Both are very basic phones.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 30 | 2022, June 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 02 | Available. Released 2022, June 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 164.1 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 11, Realme UI Go |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@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 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Royal Blue, Shadow Gray | Lake Blue, Bamboo Green |
| Models | MZB0A0MIN, MZB0A0KIN, 211033MI, 22031116AI | RMX3581, RMX3623 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 1.02 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Poco C31
- Larger Display (typically)
- More versatile camera setup (potentially)
- Established brand reputation
- Good battery life
- Slower performance
- Less efficient chipset
- Slow charging
- Basic camera quality
Realme C30
- Slightly better performance
- More modern design
- Responsive user experience
- Good battery life
- Simpler camera setup
- Smaller display (typically)
- Slow charging
- Basic camera quality
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, with the Poco C31 typically offering a slightly larger screen size (around 6.53 inches) compared to the Realme C30 (around 6.5 inches). Both utilize IPS LCD panels, offering decent viewing angles and color reproduction for the price point, but don't expect flagship-level quality. Resolution is typically 720 x 1600 pixels on both.
Camera Comparison
The Poco C31 generally boasts a more versatile camera setup, often including a higher resolution main sensor (13MP) and potentially a depth sensor. The Realme C30 typically has a simpler single-lens setup (13MP). Image quality on both is adequate in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. Video recording capabilities are basic on both.
Performance
The Realme C30's Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, with its Cortex-A75 cores, offers a slight performance advantage over the Poco C31's Helio G35, which relies solely on Cortex-A53 cores. This translates to snappier app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Realme C30. However, neither phone is a powerhouse and demanding games will struggle.
Battery Life
Both phones typically feature a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life for moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W wired, which is relatively slow by modern standards. Battery optimization is key to maximizing longevity on either device.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Poco C31 is ideal for users who prioritize a larger display and a slightly more established brand. The Realme C30 is a better choice for those seeking a smoother, more responsive experience and a more modern design, even if it means a smaller screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme C30 offers slightly better performance due to its more modern chipset, but neither phone is ideal for demanding games. Both will struggle with high graphics settings.
❓ What is the camera quality like on these phones?
Camera quality is adequate in good lighting conditions on both phones, but expect noise and a lack of detail in low light. The Poco C31 may offer slightly more versatility with a potential depth sensor.
