Retevis RT95 vs Y23UV-98PLUS

The Y23UV-98PLUS is the clear winner for most users. Despite costing $41 less, it substantially outperforms the RT95 with a higher overall score of 72 versus 53, plus it includes GPS and APRS functionality that the RT95 completely lacks. The single most important differentiator is the feature set disparity. The Y23UV-98PLUS gives you location tracking and packet data capabilities out of the box, while the RT95 offers neither.

Buy the RT95 only if CHIRP programmability is essential to your workflow and you're willing to sacrifice advanced features and performance for it. Buy the Y23UV-98PLUS if you want a modern handheld with GPS, APRS support, and better overall capability at a lower price point.

The Y23UV-98PLUS is the recommended choice for nearly everyone. It delivers superior capabilities, better independent testing scores, and genuine cost savings. The RT95's CHIRP compatibility is a niche advantage that doesn't justify its higher price and feature limitations. Unless you have a specific operational requirement for CHIRP-only programming, the Y23UV-98PLUS will serve you better as an amateur radio handheld.