Redmi 15C 4G vs Redmi 15C 5G
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 0 points overall — it genuinely depends on price on the day. The Redmi 15C 5G edges both longevity and performance, so prefer it when prices are close.
Value Score: Redmi 15C 4G 82 · Redmi 15C 5G 82 — methodology
Who should pick which
Beyond the scores — our take on each phone and the buyer it actually suits.
An ultra-affordable big-screen phone whose standout feature is Xiaomi's new long-support policy, giving even this entry model years of patches most cheap phones never see.
Pick it if
- ✓ The tightest budgets that still want years of security updates
- ✓ First phones, kids or backup devices needing a big battery and screen
- ✓ Buyers in regions where 4G is still the norm
Skip it if
- ✗ You want a sharp high-resolution display or 5G
- ✗ You need fast performance for demanding apps or games
One of the cheapest current 5G phones that also carries a genuinely long support window — four Android upgrades and security patches into 2031, which almost nothing else at this price offers.
Pick it if
- ✓ First 5G upgrades
- ✓ Long-term budget keepers
- ✓ Long days away from a charger
Skip it if
- ✗ You care about screen sharpness
- ✗ You want a light phone
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
Both displays are effectively the same class.
Performance is a wash — same chip tier.
Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.
Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.
Both phones' support windows end around the same time.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Frequently asked
When will the Redmi 15C 4G stop getting security updates?
Under Xiaomi's expanded budget policy the Redmi 15C is set to receive four Android-based upgrades and around six years of security maintenance, so from its August 2025 launch it should be patched into 2031. It is already confirmed eligible for HyperOS 3 with Android 16 and future HyperOS 4. For a phone that often sells for barely over $100, that is an exceptionally long safe-to-use window.
Is the Redmi 15C 4G worth buying in 2026?
It is a sensible pick for anyone who needs the cheapest possible phone that will still be secure for years. The roughly $129 price across six supported years works out to under $2 a month, and the big battery, large screen and expandable storage cover the basics. The compromises are real, an HD+ LCD, 4G only and a slow chip, so it suits light users rather than anyone wanting speed or a sharp display.
Is the Redmi 15C 5G still supported?
Yes, with years to spare. It arrived in September 2025 running Android 15 with HyperOS 2, and Xiaomi's commitment carries security patches to around September 2031. In 2026 it is barely a fifth of the way through its window.
How long will the Redmi 15C 5G get updates?
Xiaomi commits to four major Android upgrades, taking it to roughly Android 19, plus six years of security patches ending around September 2031. That is double the OS support the Redmi 14C received, and notably longer than the plain Redmi 15, which was revised down to two upgrades and four years of patches.
Full spec table
| Spec | Redmi 15C 4G | Redmi 15C 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $115 | $140 |
| Display | 6.9-inch IPS LCD, HD+ (720 x 1600), 120Hz, Gorilla Glass 3 | 6.9-inch IPS LCD, HD+ (720 x 1600), 120Hz, 810 nits peak |
| Chipset | MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra (12nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 6,000 mAh | 6,000 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired, 10W reverse wired |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main (f/1.8, PDAF) | 50MP main |
| Dimensions | 171.6 x 79.5 x 8 mm | 173.2 × 81.1 × 8.2 mm |
| Weight | 205 g | 211 g |
| Water resistance | IP64 | IP64 |
| Supported until | Aug 2031 | Sep 2031 |
More comparisons
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.