The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot X70 and Realme C35 both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Cubot X70 leverages the more powerful, though slightly older, Mediatek Helio G99, while the Realme C35 opts for the newer, but less potent, Unisoc Tiger T616. This comparison will dissect the implications of these chipset choices and determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and gaming capability, the Cubot X70 is the clear winner. Its Helio G99 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Realme C35’s Tiger T616. However, the Realme C35’s 18W charging offers a convenience the X70 lacks, making it a viable option for those prioritizing ease of use over peak speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2022, February 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2022, February 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.3 x 10.2 mm (6.5 x 2.96 x 0.40 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 100 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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 | - | 18W wired |
| Type | 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Tech Black, Space Black | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
| Models | - | RMX3511 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
Cubot X70
- More powerful Mediatek Helio G99 chipset
- Potentially better thermal management due to 6nm process
- Superior gaming performance
- Charging speed is unknown and likely slower than Realme C35
- Battery life may be shorter due to more power-hungry chipset
Realme C35
- 18W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially more refined software experience (Realme UI)
- More efficient Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset
- Significantly less powerful chipset for demanding tasks
- Lower gaming performance compared to Cubot X70
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize LCD panels. The Realme C35, being a Realme device, may benefit from more refined color calibration and viewing angles. The absence of information regarding refresh rates suggests both are likely capped at 60Hz. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera accompanied by auxiliary lenses of limited utility. The Realme C35, benefiting from Realme’s image processing expertise, may produce more visually appealing photos in good lighting conditions. The Cubot X70’s image quality will heavily rely on the sensor and ISP capabilities, which are currently unknown. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will struggle in low-light scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot X70’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm) boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the Realme C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm) with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 6nm process node of the Helio G99 is significantly more efficient than the 12nm node of the Tiger T616, potentially leading to better thermal management under sustained load. While the Tiger T616 is newer, the architectural advantages and higher clock speeds of the G99 translate to superior performance in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The G99’s GPU will also offer a more substantial graphical performance boost.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for the Cubot X70, but given the Helio G99’s power draw, it will likely need a larger capacity to match the Realme C35’s endurance. The Realme C35’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups. The Cubot X70’s charging speed is unknown, but it’s likely slower, potentially requiring longer charging times to reach a full charge. The efficiency of the Unisoc Tiger T616 may allow the Realme C35 to achieve comparable battery life despite a potentially smaller capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot X70 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding applications and mobile games with relative ease. Its Helio G99 chipset provides a significant performance advantage. Buy the Realme C35 if you prefer a phone with a focus on efficiency and a slightly more polished software experience, and value the convenience of 18W fast charging, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Realme C35 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T616 is a budget-focused chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings significantly to achieve a playable frame rate. The Cubot X70’s Helio G99 will provide a much smoother gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ How much of a real-world performance difference will I notice between the Helio G99 and the Tiger T616 in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks like browsing and social media, the difference will be minimal. Both chipsets are capable of handling these tasks without issue. However, when multitasking or opening multiple apps, the Cubot X70’s Helio G99 will feel noticeably snappier and more responsive.
❓ Does the Realme C35 support any form of fast charging beyond the advertised 18W?
While the Realme C35 supports 18W charging, it doesn't appear to support any faster charging protocols like Power Delivery or Quick Charge. Using a charger with a higher wattage won't necessarily result in faster charging speeds.
❓ Is the 6nm process of the Helio G99 likely to result in significantly better battery life compared to the 12nm process of the Tiger T616?
The 6nm process is more efficient, meaning the Helio G99 consumes less power for the same level of performance. However, the actual battery life difference will depend on the battery capacity of each phone and usage patterns. The Cubot X70 may require a larger battery to offset the G99's power draw.
