The smartphone market is flooded with options under $200, but performance varies wildly. We're pitting the Alcatel 1S (2020), a no-frills essential smartphone, against the Realme 6i (India), which aims to deliver gaming-capable performance at a similar price point. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 6i is the clear winner. Its Helio G90T chipset provides a substantial performance boost over the Alcatel 1S's Helio P22, making it suitable for gaming and demanding apps. While the Alcatel 1S offers basic functionality at a lower cost, the 6i's added power justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, January. Released 2020, May | 2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm (6.25 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide/depth sensor), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@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 | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 30W wired, PD, 100% in 55 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Agate Green, Power Grey | Eclipse Black, Lunar White |
| Models | 5028Y, 5028D, 5028D_EEA, 5028Y_EEA, 5028A | RMX2002 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 150 EUR |
alcatel 1S (2020)
- Lower price point makes it highly accessible.
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Potentially longer standby time due to less power-hungry processor.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Realme 6i.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
- Likely slower charging speeds.
Realme 6i (India)
- Much faster performance thanks to the Helio G90T.
- 30W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Better suited for gaming and multitasking.
- Slightly higher price compared to the Alcatel 1S.
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load.
- May experience more heat during prolonged gaming sessions.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on cost optimization over display technology. While specific display specs for the Alcatel 1S are unavailable, it's likely a standard IPS LCD panel. The Realme 6i, similarly, doesn't emphasize display prowess. The key difference lies in the processing power driving the UI, impacting perceived smoothness. The Realme 6i's more powerful GPU will render UI elements and animations more fluidly.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, given both phones target the budget segment. Without detailed sensor information for the Alcatel 1S, it's safe to assume a basic camera setup. The Realme 6i likely features a more refined image processing pipeline, leveraging the G90T's ISP capabilities. However, the absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means low-light photography will be challenging. Focusing on the primary sensor resolution is more important than the inclusion of 2MP macro or depth sensors, which are common in this price range and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The performance gap is the defining characteristic of this comparison. The Realme 6i's Mediatek Helio G90T is a significant upgrade over the Alcatel 1S's Helio P22. The G90T features a dual-cluster CPU configuration with 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, offering substantially higher single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Alcatel 1S's octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a much better gaming experience. The G90T's Mali-G76 MC4 GPU further enhances gaming capabilities, while the P22's IMG PowerVR GE8320 is limited to less demanding titles.
Battery Life
The Realme 6i's 30W wired charging is a game-changer in this price bracket. The ability to charge from 0-100% in 55 minutes provides a significant convenience advantage over the Alcatel 1S, which likely supports standard 10W or 15W charging. While battery capacity isn't specified for the Alcatel 1S, the Realme 6i's battery size (typically around 5000mAh in this series) combined with the efficient Helio G90T chipset offers a good balance of battery life and performance. The faster charging of the Realme 6i mitigates any potential concerns about battery drain from its more powerful processor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel 1S (2020) if you need a simple, reliable smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and prioritize affordability above all else. Buy the Realme 6i (India) if you want a phone capable of handling mobile games, multitasking, and more demanding applications, and value performance and faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 6i's Helio G90T handle popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G90T is specifically designed for gaming. It can comfortably run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings, offering a playable and enjoyable experience. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it's a significant step up from the Alcatel 1S's Helio P22.
❓ Is the Alcatel 1S a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, and WhatsApp?
Absolutely. The Alcatel 1S is perfectly adequate for basic communication tasks. Its Helio P22 processor is sufficient for these functions, and its lower price point makes it an attractive option for users who don't require advanced features or performance.
❓ Does the Realme 6i support Power Delivery (PD) charging, and can I use a PD charger from my laptop?
Yes, the Realme 6i supports Power Delivery (PD) charging. You can use a PD charger from your laptop, provided it outputs at least 18W to take advantage of the faster charging speeds. Using a lower wattage charger will still charge the phone, but at a slower rate.
