The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and Xiaomi consistently delivers impressive value. The Poco C31 and Redmi 10A are two contenders vying for your attention. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco C31 edges out the Redmi 10A thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and generally smoother performance. While both are budget options, the C31 provides a marginally better user experience, making it the preferred 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 30 | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 02 | Available. Released 2022, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 194 g (6.84 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) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, 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 |
| 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 | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Royal Blue, Shadow Gray | Charcoal Black, Sea Blue, Slate Grey |
| Models | MZB0A0MIN, MZB0A0KIN, 211033MI, 22031116AI | 220233L2C, 220233L2G, 220233L2I |
| Price | About 90 EUR | € 60.00 / $ 66.55 |
| SAR | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Poco C31
- Slightly more powerful chipset (Helio G35)
- Decent battery life
- Good value for money
- Basic design
- 10W charging is slow
- Camera performance is average
Xiaomi Redmi 10A
- Slightly better display resolution
- Versatile camera setup
- Good battery life
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G25)
- 10W charging is slow
- Average camera performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.53-inch display, but the Redmi 10A boasts a slightly higher resolution (1080 x 2340) compared to the Poco C31 (1080 x 2340). While the difference is minimal, the Redmi 10A's display might appear slightly sharper. Both use IPS LCD panels, offering decent viewing angles and color reproduction for the price.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 10A generally has a more versatile camera setup. It typically features a 13MP main camera, 2MP depth sensor, and 2MP macro lens. The Poco C31 usually has a 13MP main camera, 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. Image quality is comparable, but the Redmi 10A's software processing might offer slightly better results in certain scenarios.
Performance
The Poco C31's Mediatek Helio G35 chipset holds a slight advantage over the Redmi 10A's Helio G25. While neither is a powerhouse, the G35 offers a bit more processing grunt, resulting in smoother app loading and slightly better performance in games. Expect both to handle everyday tasks without major issues.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W wired, meaning charging times will be similar for both devices.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Poco C31 is ideal for users prioritizing a bit more processing power for basic multitasking and light gaming. The Xiaomi Redmi 10A is a great pick for those primarily focused on essential tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and who value a slightly larger screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Poco C31 is slightly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G35 chipset, although neither phone is designed for demanding games.
❓ Do both phones have NFC?
NFC availability varies by region. Check the specific model's specifications for your area to confirm NFC support.
❓ What type of storage do these phones use?
Both phones typically use eMMC 5.1 storage, which is slower than UFS storage found in higher-end devices.
