The Xiaomi Poco C65 and Samsung Galaxy A15 represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they diverge significantly in their approach, particularly regarding performance and battery endurance. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity, the Samsung Galaxy A15 emerges as the better choice. Its significantly longer 15:28h active use battery life and more efficient Helio G99 chipset outweigh the Poco C65’s slightly brighter display. However, the Poco C65 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, November 05 | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November 06 | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168 x 78 x 8.1 mm (6.61 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS 2 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Purple | Brave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow |
| Models | 2310FPCA4G, 2310FPCA4I | SM-A155F, SM-A155F/DSN, SM-A155M, SM-A155M/DS, SM-A155P, SM-A155R |
| Price | € 99.95 / $ 139.99 / £ 115.99 / ₹ 8,999 | € 168.99 / $ 125.00 / £ 113.00 |
| SAR EU | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Poco C65
- Slightly brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Potentially more vibrant colors due to higher contrast ratio
- More affordable price point
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Less powerful and less efficient chipset
- Slower charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy A15
- Superior battery life for all-day use
- More powerful and efficient Helio G99 chipset
- Faster 25W charging
- Lower peak display brightness
- Potentially higher price
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 boasts a peak brightness of 808 nits, while the Poco C65 reaches 607 nits. This difference is noticeable in direct sunlight, giving the A15 a clear advantage for outdoor use. However, the Poco C65 counters with a higher contrast ratio of 1555:1, potentially offering richer blacks and more vibrant colors, though this is less impactful than peak brightness in real-world scenarios. Both displays likely utilize LCD technology, common in this price bracket, and lack high refresh rates, focusing on power efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are expected to feature a multi-camera setup, but detailed sensor information is limited. Given the price point, image quality will likely be adequate for social media sharing but not exceptional. The focus should be on the primary sensor; any secondary 2MP macro or depth sensors are unlikely to significantly impact overall image quality. The image processing style will likely differ between the two brands, with Samsung typically favoring more saturated colors and Xiaomi leaning towards a more natural look. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung’s generally more refined image processing algorithms may provide a slight edge.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A15’s Mediatek Helio G99, fabricated on a 6nm process, represents a significant leap in efficiency over the Poco C65’s 12nm Helio G85. The G99’s CPU, featuring 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, provides a noticeable performance boost over the Poco’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. While both phones likely share similar RAM configurations, the G99’s superior architecture minimizes thermal throttling, sustaining performance for longer periods. The G99’s integrated GPU also offers a better gaming experience, though neither phone is designed for demanding titles.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A15’s 15:28h active use score demonstrates a substantial advantage over the Poco C65’s 11:31h. This difference is largely attributable to the Helio G99’s superior power efficiency. While the Poco C65 supports 18W charging with PD, the A15 offers 25W wired charging, enabling faster top-ups. The combination of a more efficient chipset and faster charging makes the A15 the clear winner for users who prioritize battery life and convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco C65 if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and prioritize a slightly brighter screen for outdoor visibility. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 if you prefer a phone that can handle more demanding applications, offers significantly better battery life for all-day use, and benefits from a more modern and efficient chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Galaxy A15 get noticeably warm during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G99’s 6nm process and improved thermal design in the Galaxy A15 mitigate overheating concerns. While some warmth is expected during prolonged gaming, it’s unlikely to result in significant throttling, offering a more consistent gaming experience compared to the Poco C65’s Helio G85.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A15 a significant improvement over the Poco C65’s 18W charging?
Yes, the 25W charging on the Galaxy A15 provides a noticeable reduction in charging time. While both phones support fast charging, the A15 will reach a full charge considerably faster, offering greater convenience for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Poco C65’s MIUI and the Galaxy A15’s One UI?
MIUI (Poco C65) is known for its customization options and feature-rich interface, but can sometimes include pre-installed bloatware. One UI (Galaxy A15) offers a cleaner, more streamlined experience with a focus on usability, but can be more resource intensive. Preference is subjective, but One UI generally receives more consistent software updates.
