The Xiaomi Poco C31 and Redmi 10C are both contenders in the fiercely competitive budget smartphone market. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but significant differences exist under the hood. This comprehensive comparison will break down each phone's strengths and weaknesses to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi 10C is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset offers significantly better performance and efficiency than the Poco C31's Helio G35. Faster charging and a more modern design further solidify the Redmi 10C's position as the superior budget option.
| 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, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 02 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| 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 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| 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 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (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 | - |
| 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Royal Blue, Shadow Gray | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | MZB0A0MIN, MZB0A0KIN, 211033MI, 22031116AI | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 90 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Poco C31
- Large display
- Affordable price
- Decent battery life
- Expandable storage
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Slow charging
- Basic camera
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Better performance (Snapdragon 680)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Improved camera
- Full HD+ display (typically)
- Modern design
- Slightly higher price than C31
- May lack some niche features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.53-inch display, but the Redmi 10C typically has a slightly higher resolution (Full HD+ vs HD+ on the C31) resulting in a sharper image. The Redmi 10C also often boasts better color accuracy and brightness.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer multiple rear cameras, the Redmi 10C generally delivers superior image quality thanks to its more capable chipset and potentially better sensor technology. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the Redmi 10C.
Performance
The Redmi 10C's Snapdragon 680 is a substantial upgrade over the Poco C31's Helio G35. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the Redmi 10C. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 680 also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones typically feature a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life. However, the Redmi 10C's faster 18W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the Poco C31's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Poco C31 is best suited for users on the absolute tightest budget who prioritize a large display and basic functionality. The Redmi 10C is ideal for those seeking a smoother experience, better camera performance, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Poco C31 good for gaming?
The Poco C31's Helio G35 chipset struggles with demanding games. Casual games are playable, but expect low frame rates and potential lag.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both offer similar battery life due to their 5000mAh batteries, but the Redmi 10C charges significantly faster.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both the Poco C31 and Redmi 10C support microSD card expansion.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
Durability information is limited, but the Redmi 10C's more modern design might suggest slightly improved build quality.
