The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport and the Realme C30. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C30 edges out the Redmi 9A Sport thanks to its slightly more powerful CPU architecture and potentially better software optimization. While both are budget options, the C30 offers a marginally smoother 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, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 28 | 2022, June 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 28 | Available. Released 2022, June 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 164.1 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 11, Realme UI Go |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue | Lake Blue, Bamboo Green |
| Models | - | RMX3581, RMX3623 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.02 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Expandable Storage (likely microSD slot)
- Less Powerful Processor
- Slower Charging
- Basic Camera Performance
Realme C30
- Slightly Better Performance
- Potentially Better Camera (higher resolution)
- Modern Design
- Good Battery Life
- Smaller Display (marginally)
- 10W Charging
- Basic Camera Performance in low light
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.53-inch display, likely with a resolution of 1600 x 720 (HD+). Expect similar viewing experiences, though Realme might have slightly better color accuracy. The Redmi 9A Sport may have slightly better brightness due to its slightly larger size.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 9A Sport likely features a 13MP main camera, while the Realme C30 boasts a 50MP main camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the C30's higher resolution *could* translate to slightly more detailed photos in good lighting. Both phones will likely struggle in low-light conditions. Front-facing cameras are likely 5MP on both.
Performance
Here's where the Realme C30 has an advantage. The Unisoc Tiger T612 utilizes a dual Cortex-A75 core paired with six Cortex-A55 cores, offering a more balanced performance profile compared to the Redmi 9A Sport's all-Cortex-A53 setup. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the C30. Gaming performance will be adequate on both, but the C30 will handle less demanding titles better.
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, meaning charging will take a considerable amount of time.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on a tight budget. The Realme C30 is a better choice for those seeking a slightly more responsive performance and a more modern design, even within the budget segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme C30 is slightly better for gaming due to its more powerful CPU architecture, although both are primarily designed for basic usage.
❓ Do both phones have expandable storage?
Likely yes, both phones will offer a microSD card slot for expandable storage, though the exact maximum capacity may vary.
❓ What is the software experience like on each phone?
Both phones run Android with custom UIs (MIUI for Redmi and Realme UI for Realme). Realme UI is generally considered to be more modern and user-friendly.
