Cubot C30 vs Realme 9 Pro: A Detailed Comparison of Budget 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and future-proofing, the Realme 9 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers significantly better performance and thermal management than the Cubot C30’s older Helio P60.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Cubot C30 | Realme 9 Pro |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020. Released 2020 | 2022, February 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, February 23 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 157.1 x 76.4 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| - | 24-bit/192kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired |
| Type | 4200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Green | Midnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue |
| Models | - | RMX3471, RMX3472 |
| Price | - | € 248.86 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 134h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1601:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 401894 (v9) GeekBench: 2020 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Cubot C30
- Lower price point makes it accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
- Decent battery endurance for basic usage.
- Functional for everyday tasks like calls and messaging.
- Outdated Helio P60 chipset limits performance.
- Lacks 5G connectivity, hindering future-proofing.
- Likely inferior camera performance compared to the Realme 9 Pro.
Realme 9 Pro
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds and future-proofing.
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset delivers better performance and thermal management.
- 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Higher price point compared to the Cubot C30.
- May still exhibit some throttling under sustained heavy load.
- Camera details are limited without specific sensor information.
Display Comparison
Both the Cubot C30 and Realme 9 Pro share a 1601:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar dynamic range. However, the Realme 9 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 567 nits, which will translate to better visibility in direct sunlight. While neither device specifies panel technology (IPS vs AMOLED), the Realme 9 Pro’s higher brightness gives it a clear advantage for outdoor use and overall viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Realme 9 Pro’s positioning as a more feature-rich device, it’s likely to offer more sophisticated image processing and potentially a higher-resolution main sensor. The Cubot C30 likely relies on software enhancements to compensate for potentially inferior hardware.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot C30 utilizes the Mediatek Helio P60 (12nm), featuring a mix of Cortex-A73 and A53 cores. The Realme 9 Pro, however, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). This 6nm fabrication process is significantly more efficient, leading to lower power consumption and reduced thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores also offer a performance uplift over the Helio P60’s Cortex-A73 cores, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The 5G modem in the Snapdragon 695 is a crucial advantage for future-proofing.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 134 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Realme 9 Pro’s 33W wired charging capability is a significant advantage. This allows for much faster charging times compared to the Cubot C30, which likely has a slower charging rate. While both may last a full day, the Realme 9 Pro offers the convenience of quickly topping up the battery when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot C30 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are operating on a very tight budget. Buy the Realme 9 Pro if you prioritize 5G connectivity, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience, even if it means spending a bit more.