The Xiaomi Poco C40 and Realme C30s represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Poco C40 distinguishes itself with a less common chipset, while the Realme C30s opts for a more conventional, if slower, processor. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a smoother experience, the Xiaomi Poco C40 emerges as the better choice. Its JLQ JR510 chipset, despite being less known, offers a higher clock speed and octa-core configuration compared to the Realme C30s, translating to noticeably quicker app loading and multitasking. However, the Realme C30s remains a viable option for those with extremely basic needs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 06 | 2022, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 17 | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169.6 x 76.6 x 9.2 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) | 164.2 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | Dust & splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | JLQ JR510 (11 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC1 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 13 for POCO | Android 12, Realme UI Go |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, (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 | 4.2, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Power Black, Coral Green, Poco Yellow | Stripe Blue, Stripe Black |
| Models | 220333QPG | RMX3690 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Xiaomi Poco C40
- Faster chipset with higher clock speeds
- 18W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially better multitasking performance
- Less well-known chipset (JLQ JR510)
- Potential software optimization issues
Realme C30s
- Simpler, more conventional processor
- Potentially longer battery life due to lower power consumption
- Realme UI is generally well-regarded
- Slower processor with lower clock speeds
- 10W slow charging
- Less responsive user experience
Display Comparison
Neither Xiaomi nor Realme provide display specifications beyond size in their marketing materials. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The absence of detailed display specs suggests neither phone prioritizes visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, and color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment. Without further data, a clear winner cannot be determined.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are expected to feature basic camera setups. Detailed camera specs are scarce, but the market segment suggests reliance on software processing rather than high-end hardware. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture makes a direct comparison impossible. It’s safe to assume both phones will struggle in low-light conditions, and image quality will be adequate for casual social media sharing but not much more. We can expect both to include a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor, but detailed analysis is impossible without further data.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco C40’s JLQ JR510 (11nm) features an octa-core configuration split between 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts sharply with the Realme C30s’ octa-core processor clocked at a uniform 1.6 GHz, also using Cortex-A55 cores. The higher clock speeds on the Poco C40 suggest superior single-core performance, crucial for everyday tasks. The 11nm process node of the JR510 *could* offer better power efficiency than a potentially older node used in the C30s, but this is speculative without knowing the fabrication process of the Realme’s CPU. The Poco C40 is expected to handle multitasking and app loading more efficiently.
Battery Life
While both phones likely house similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh is typical for this segment), the charging speeds differ significantly. The Poco C40 supports 18W wired charging, while the Realme C30s is limited to 10W. This means the Poco C40 will recharge considerably faster, reducing downtime. A full charge on the Poco C40 could take around 2-3 hours with a compatible charger, while the Realme C30s will likely require 3.5-4.5 hours. The faster charging of the Poco C40 is a tangible benefit for users who rely on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco C40 if you need a phone capable of handling more than just basic tasks like calls and messaging – if you occasionally browse social media, use multiple apps simultaneously, or want a slightly more responsive user experience. Buy the Realme C30s if your primary use case is strictly communication (calls, texts) and you prioritize simplicity and potentially longer battery life due to the less powerful processor consuming less energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the JLQ JR510 chipset in the Poco C40 reliable? I've never heard of it.
The JLQ JR510 is a less common chipset, primarily found in budget devices. While it lacks the brand recognition of Qualcomm or MediaTek, it's an octa-core processor designed for basic smartphone tasks. Early reports suggest it performs adequately for everyday use, but long-term reliability and software support remain to be fully assessed. The higher clock speeds compared to the Realme C30s suggest a performance advantage.
❓ Will the 10W charging on the Realme C30s be a significant inconvenience?
Yes, the 10W charging on the Realme C30s is considerably slower than the 18W charging on the Poco C40. While not a deal-breaker for all users, it means significantly longer recharge times – potentially over 4 hours for a full charge. If you frequently find yourself needing to top up your phone throughout the day, the Poco C40's faster charging is a substantial benefit.
❓ Can either of these phones handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
Neither the Poco C40 nor the Realme C30s are designed for demanding gaming. While they *may* be able to run PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty at the lowest graphics settings, expect significant frame rate drops and a generally poor gaming experience. The processors simply lack the power to handle these games smoothly.
