The Blackview A50 and Realme C30s represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this. The A50 leverages a more powerful, albeit older, processor architecture, while the C30s opts for an octa-core design. This comparison will dissect these choices and determine which device offers the best experience for the average user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing responsiveness and occasional multitasking, the Blackview A50 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T310, with its Cortex-A75 core, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Realme C30s’ all-Cortex-A55 configuration. However, the C30s offers a slightly more streamlined software experience and 10W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 04 | 2022, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156.4 x 72.9 x 8.9 mm (6.16 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) | 164.2 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 156 g (5.50 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~286 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.01 inches, 88.7 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T310 (12 nm) | - |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, Realme UI Go |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
other unspecified cameras | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4280 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Blue, Gradient | Stripe Blue, Stripe Black |
| Models | - | RMX3690 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Blackview A50
- More powerful processor for smoother performance
- Cortex-A75 core offers better single-core speed
- Potentially better efficiency leading to longer battery life
- Charging speed is unknown and potentially slow
- Software support may be limited compared to Realme
Realme C30s
- Octa-core processor for multitasking
- 10W charging support
- Likely to have a cleaner software experience
- Less powerful processor compared to the Blackview A50
- All Cortex-A55 cores may struggle with demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the lack of display specifications beyond the device names, we can assume both utilize basic LCD panels common in this price bracket. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, and color accuracy will be limited. The Realme C30s, being a newer model, *may* benefit from slight improvements in panel quality control, but this is speculative. The absence of higher refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, leaning towards basic functionality. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, the prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both suggests they are included for marketing purposes rather than practical image quality. Expect adequate results in well-lit conditions, but significant noise and lack of detail in low light. Image processing will likely be minimal on both, relying heavily on software algorithms to enhance photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The Blackview A50’s Unisoc Tiger T310 features a quad-core configuration with a high-performance Cortex-A75 core clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with three Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This architecture provides a significant boost in single-core performance compared to the Realme C30s’ octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 processor. While the C30s has more cores, the A75 core in the A50 will handle demanding tasks more efficiently. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The A50 is likely to outperform the C30s in CPU-intensive tasks, despite the C30s having more cores overall. RAM configurations are not specified, but both will likely be limited, further emphasizing the importance of the A50’s more efficient processor.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given their price point, both are likely to feature batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Realme C30s includes 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by modern standards. The Blackview A50’s charging speed is unknown, but it’s unlikely to be significantly faster. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the A50’s more efficient processor *could* translate to slightly longer endurance, even with a similar battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview A50 if you need a phone capable of handling more demanding apps and light gaming, and value single-core performance for smoother operation. Buy the Realme C30s if you prioritize simplicity, a clean software experience, and are primarily focused on basic communication tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing. The C30s is also a better fit for users who prefer a phone with a standard charging protocol.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Blackview A50 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Blackview A50’s Unisoc Tiger T310, with its Cortex-A75 core, should handle WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. While not a powerhouse, the A75 core provides enough processing power for these commonly used applications. However, running multiple apps simultaneously may lead to some slowdown.
❓ Is the Realme C30s a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Yes, the Realme C30s is well-suited for basic communication tasks like calls and texts. Its octa-core processor is sufficient for these functions, and the streamlined software experience will contribute to a smooth and reliable user experience. It’s a practical option for users who don’t require advanced features or demanding performance.
❓ Can either of these phones handle light gaming, like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
Both phones can handle light gaming like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers, but the Blackview A50 will likely provide a smoother experience. The A75 core in the A50 offers a performance advantage that will translate to fewer frame drops and more responsive gameplay. The C30s may experience occasional lag during more intense moments.
