The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Cubot A20 and the Realme C33 2023 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take slightly different approaches, with the Cubot A20 prioritizing battery endurance and the Realme C33 focusing on a more streamlined user experience. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and sustained performance, the Cubot A20 is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset, coupled with its impressive 52:52h endurance rating, provides a more reliable experience throughout the day. While the Realme C33 offers a familiar brand and 10W charging, it falls short in raw performance and battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, September | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169.4 x 77.8 x 9.6 mm (6.67 x 3.06 x 0.38 in) | 164.2 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 214 g (7.55 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 6 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 12, Realme UI S |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5100 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Pink | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | - | RMX3627 |
| Price | - | About 110 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 52:52h endurance, 800 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Cubot A20
- Superior CPU performance due to faster Cortex-A75 cores
- Exceptional battery endurance (52:52h)
- Potentially better multitasking capabilities
- Less established brand recognition
- Charging speed not specified (likely slower than competitors)
Realme C33 2023
- Familiar Realme brand and software experience
- Potentially more refined camera algorithms
- 10W charging support
- Lower CPU performance compared to Cubot A20
- Inferior battery endurance
- Limited performance headroom for demanding apps
Display Comparison
Neither device provides display specifications, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given their price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The Realme brand generally focuses on display quality, suggesting a potentially slightly more color-accurate panel, but this is speculative. Bezels are likely comparable, prioritizing cost reduction over premium aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a meaningful comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside depth and macro sensors. Given the market segment, image processing will prioritize speed over detail. The Realme C33 may benefit from Realme’s established camera algorithms, potentially offering slightly more refined image quality, but this is an assumption. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing feature with limited practical utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot A20 boasts the Unisoc Tiger T616, featuring an octa-core CPU with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Realme C33 2023 uses the Unisoc Tiger T612, stepping down the Cortex-A75 clock speed to 1.8 GHz while maintaining the 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. This 0.2 GHz difference in the A75 cores translates to a noticeable performance advantage for the A20 in CPU-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. Both chipsets are fabricated on a 12nm process, indicating similar power efficiency characteristics, but the A20’s faster cores will demand slightly more power during peak loads.
Battery Life
The Cubot A20 truly shines in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 52:52h rating. This suggests a larger battery capacity and/or more efficient power management compared to the Realme C33. The Realme C33 2023 is limited to 10W wired charging, indicating a slower charging speed. While the exact battery capacity of the C33 is unknown, the A20’s endurance rating suggests it can operate significantly longer on a single charge, making it ideal for users who frequently travel or have limited access to power outlets.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot A20 if you need a phone that can reliably last through a full day – and beyond – of moderate to heavy use, and if you value CPU performance for multitasking and app responsiveness. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you prefer a phone from a more established brand with a focus on simplicity and are willing to compromise on battery life and processing power for a potentially smoother software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Cubot A20 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. The chipset's Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost, but it's not a gaming-focused processor.
❓ How does the 10W charging on the Realme C33 2023 affect the user experience?
10W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours. This is a significant drawback for users who need a quick power boost, especially considering the Cubot A20's superior battery life means less frequent charging is needed.
❓ What is the practical benefit of the higher clock speed on the A75 cores in the Cubot A20?
The 0.2 GHz clock speed increase on the A75 cores in the Cubot A20 translates to faster processing of individual tasks. This is most noticeable when switching between apps, opening large files, or performing CPU-intensive operations like video editing. It contributes to a snappier and more responsive user experience.
