Affordable midrange phones are slowly becoming the most wanted devices, even more than flagships. This happens because now even low-end chipsets are able to provide excellent performances. Further, manufacturers are managing to release devices with stunning aesthetics, decent cameras, and long-lasting batteries even in the low-end segment. Today we are comparing the new Xiaomi Mi Play, the new Huawei Y7 (2019) and the Realme U1 because we believe they are among the most amazing affordable alternatives to high-end smartphones. If you are trying to save money while still getting an excellent handset, you should go ahead and check this specs comparison.

Xiaomi Mi Play vs Huawei Y7 (2019) vs Oppo Realme U1
| Xiaomi Mi Play | Huawei Y7 2019 | Oppo Realme U1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 147.76 x 71.89 x 7.8 mm, 150 grams | 158.92 x 76.91 x 8.1 mm, 168 grams | 157 x 74 x 8 mm, 168 grams |
| DISPLAY | 5.84 inches, 1080 x 2280p (HD+), 432 ppi, IPS LCD | 6.26 inches, 720 x 1520p (HD+), 269 ppi, IPS LCD | 6.3 inches, 1080 x 2340p (HD+), 409 ppi, LTPS IPS LCD |
| PROCESSOR | MediaTek Helio P35, octa-core 2.3 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, octa-core 1.8 GHz | MediaTek Helio P70, octa-core 2.1 GHz |
| MEMORY | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD slot | 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD slot | 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot |
| SOFTWARE | Android 8.1 Oreo, MIUI | Android 9 Pie, EMUI | Android 8.1 Oreo, Color OS |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS |
| CAMERA | Dual 12 +2 MP 8 MP front camera |
Dual 13 + 2 MP f/2.2 16 MP front camera |
Dual 13 +2 MP f/2.2 and f/2.4 25 MP f/2.0 front camera |
| BATTERY | 3000 mAh | 4000 mAh | 3500 mAh |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Hybrid Dual SIM slot | Hybrid Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM slot |
Design
Whatever you choose, you will get a very attractive and elegant design. The one I like more is the Xiaomi Mi Play because it features a glass back with gradient colors and a thinner profile as well as a more compact and lightweight body. It is the first Xiaomi phone with a waterdrop notch but it does not matter so much as even its opponents have a waterdrop notch.
Display
Huawei Y7 (2019) loses the display comparison because of a lower level of detail, while the winner is the Realme U1 by Oppo with its Full HD+ LTPS IPS panel which also features a larger diagonal which results in a more comfortable use for multimedia and productivity. Xiaomi Mi Play has a good display too, but it is not at the same level as the Oppo Realme U1. On the other hand, it is more suitable for one-handed use because of its smaller dimensions, so it still has its advantages.
Specs & Software
Do you need the fastest and smoothest device perfect for gaming and multi-tasking? Then go for the Oppo Realme U1 without even hesitating. It comes with the new Helio P70 SoC which is the most powerful last-gen chipset by MediaTek and it runs with a max frequency of 2.1 GHz. Further, it features a dual SIM slot and a separated micro SD slot so you can use both SIMs and microSD card simultaneously. Between Xiaomi Mi Play and Huawei Y7 2019, the former wins because it has the new Helio P35 chipset which is even better than Snapdragon 625. And if you know Qualcomm’s processors, you should have already understood that Helio P35 is much more powerful than the Snapdragon 450 found on the Huawei Y7 (2019). Note that for now, Huawei Y7 (2019) does not come in a 4/64 GB configuration and it is only available with 3 GB of RAM, while Oppo Realme U1 and Xiaomi Mi Play have that higher-end memory configuration. While Xiaomi Mi Play and Huawei Y7 2019 have Android Pie installed out of the box, Oppo Realme U1 is still based on Oreo.
Camera
The most impressive camera setup for an affordable phone belongs to the Oppo Realme U1. Its key point is the front camera, one of the best ever seen. It comes with a 25 MP resolution and useful AI-backed features improving selfies and it even comes with a pretty nice dual camera on the rear. But the rear camera is more or less on par with the ones of its opponents. Xiaomi Mi Play provides very detailed shots when light conditions are good, while Huawei Y7 (2019) has sufficient performance with the rear cameras and a great 16 MP selfie camera. I would choose the Realme U2 due to its surprising selfie cameras, but differences between these camera departments are just marginal.
Battery
The battery is the strongest point of the Huawei Y7 2019 which is able to reach almost two days of battery life on a single charge, even if you use it continuously. This happens thanks to the huge 4000 mAh battery but also thanks to the HD+ display which does not consume a lot of energy, and thanks to the efficient Snapdragon 450 chipset. At the second place, there is Oppo Realme U1 with its 3500 mAh battery which still provides an above-average battery life, while Xiaomi Mi Play has just 3000 mAh but it is able to charge faster due to its smaller capacity. However, none of these handsets features a fast charging technology.
Price
You should not mind a lot about the prices of these devices because they are just slightly different. You can actually find the Xiaomi Mi Play in China for about €170/$200, Oppo Realme U1 is available in the Indian market for about €180/$210 and Huawei Y7 2019 costs about €200/$230. The global debut of these smartphones is still not scheduled and probably only Xiaomi Mi Play and Huawei Y7 2019 will land in Europe, while Realme U1 will remain in Asia. Overall, I prefer the Oppo Realme U1 because of its better hardware department, good cameras, a pretty nice display, and a good battery.
Xiaomi Mi Play vs Huawei Y7 (2019) vs Oppo Realme U1: PROs and CONS
Huawei Y7 2019
PROs
- Great battery life
- Beautiful design
- Android Pie
CONS
- HD display
Xiaomi Mi Play
PROs
- Compact and lightweight
- Good design
- Android Pie
- Good display
CONS
- Smaller battery
Oppo Realme U1
PROs
- Micro SD dedicated slot
- Great performance
- Nice display
- Big battery
- Good cameras
CONS
- Limited availability







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