Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Xiaomi Poco C31 and C51 are both contenders in the budget segment. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco C51 edges out the C31 thanks to its slightly improved chipset and marginally better performance. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the C51's Helio G36 provides a small but noticeable boost in everyday tasks. Both are excellent budget options, but the C51 is the slightly better choice.
| 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, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 30 | 2023, April 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 02 | Available. Released 2023, April 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 13 (Go edition), MIUI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | 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 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Royal Blue, Shadow Gray | Power Black, Royal Blue |
| Models | MZB0A0MIN, MZB0A0KIN, 211033MI, 22031116AI | MZB0E6DIN, MZB0DXKIN, 2302EPCC4I, 2305EPCC4G, 2302EPCC4H |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Poco C31
- Very affordable
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Stylish design
- Outdated chipset
- Slow charging
- Limited camera performance
- HD+ resolution
Xiaomi Poco C51
- Slightly better performance
- Modern design
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Slow charging
- Limited camera performance
- HD+ resolution
- Still a budget phone
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a large 6.53-inch HD+ display, offering a decent viewing experience for media consumption. While the resolution is the same, slight variations in color accuracy and brightness might exist, but these are unlikely to be significant differences at this price point. Expect similar viewing angles and overall display quality.
Camera Comparison
Both devices typically feature a 13MP main camera, along with depth and macro lenses. Image quality is generally acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The C51's slightly newer chipset *might* offer marginally improved image processing, but the difference is likely to be minimal.
Performance
The Poco C51's Helio G36 chipset offers a small performance advantage over the C31's Helio G35. This translates to slightly smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a more responsive user interface. Both phones are best suited for light to moderate usage; demanding games and heavy multitasking are not recommended.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are identical at 10W wired, meaning a full charge will take around 2-3 hours.
Buying Guide
The Poco C31 is a good option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize a large display and basic functionality. The Poco C51 is ideal for those seeking a slightly more responsive experience and a bit more future-proofing, without significantly increasing the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco C51 worth the upgrade from the Poco C31?
If you're looking for a slightly smoother experience and a bit more future-proofing, the C51 is a worthwhile upgrade. However, the performance difference isn't massive, so if you're on a very tight budget, the C31 remains a viable option.
❓ What kind of games can I play on these phones?
Both phones are best suited for casual games and older titles. Demanding games will likely require low graphics settings and may still experience lag. Don't expect high-end gaming performance from either device.
