Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Xiaomi Poco C31 and C40 are both contenders in the budget segment, offering essential features at attractive prices. But which one delivers the best value for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco C40 edges out the C31 thanks to its faster charging, slightly more efficient chipset, and larger battery. While both are budget phones, the C40 offers a more modern experience and better longevity, making it the recommended 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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 | 2021, September 30 | 2022, June 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 02 | Available. Released 2022, June 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 9.2 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | Dust & splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | JLQ JR510 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC1 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Royal Blue, Shadow Gray | Power Black, Coral Green, Poco Yellow |
| Models | MZB0A0MIN, MZB0A0KIN, 211033MI, 22031116AI | 220333QPG |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Poco C31
- Familiar MIUI interface
- Decent battery life (5000mAh)
- Affordable price
- Outdated chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Basic camera performance
Xiaomi Poco C40
- Larger 6000mAh battery
- Faster 18W charging
- Slightly more efficient chipset
- Potentially better camera (50MP)
- JLQ JR510 chipset less known
- HD+ display resolution
- Basic gaming performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.53-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for everyday tasks. However, the C40's display might benefit from slightly improved color accuracy due to the newer chipset. Expect similar brightness levels and viewing angles on both.
Camera Comparison
The Poco C31 typically features a 13MP main camera, while the C40 often includes a 50MP main camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the C40's sensor should capture more detail in good lighting conditions. Both phones offer basic features like portrait mode and HDR, but don't expect flagship-level image quality.
Performance
The Poco C40's JLQ JR510 chipset, despite being less known, generally outperforms the Helio G35 in the C31. The Cortex-A55 cores in the C40 are more efficient than the Cortex-A53 cores in the C31, leading to smoother multitasking and app loading. Gaming performance will be basic on both, but the C40 will handle it marginally better.
Battery Life
The Poco C40 boasts a significantly larger 6000mAh battery compared to the C31's 5000mAh. This translates to noticeably longer battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate to heavy use. The C40's 18W fast charging is also a major advantage over the C31's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Poco C31 is a decent option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize a familiar MIUI experience. The Poco C40 is ideal for those seeking a longer-lasting battery, faster charging, and a slightly more modern processor, even within the budget category.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Poco C40 has significantly better battery life thanks to its larger 6000mAh battery.
❓ Is the Poco C40 worth the extra money?
Yes, the Poco C40 is generally worth the extra cost due to its improved battery life, faster charging, and slightly better performance.
❓ What kind of performance can I expect from these phones?
Both phones are designed for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calling. Gaming performance will be limited, but the C40 offers a slight edge.
