The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, with the Realme C33 (2023) and Honor 8A (2020) vying for attention. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an affordable price, they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on the impact of their respective chipsets on performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C33 is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Honor 8A’s older Helio P35. While charging is slow at 10W, the newer architecture offers a more responsive experience for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 10. Released 2020, April 15 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156.3 x 73.5 x 8.2 mm (6.15 x 2.89 x 0.32 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 | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9 | Android 12, Realme UI S |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | - | RMX3627 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Honor 8A 2020
- Potentially lower price point due to age.
- May be readily available in some markets.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Older, less efficient Helio P35 chipset.
- Slower overall performance.
- Likely limited software update support.
Realme C33 2023
- More modern Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset with Cortex-A75 cores.
- Improved performance for multitasking and app loading.
- Potentially better software support and future updates.
- Slow 10W charging.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Honor 8A.
- Unisoc chipset may have limited software optimization compared to MediaTek.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Without specific display specs, it's difficult to compare brightness or color accuracy. However, the Realme C33’s newer manufacturing date *could* indicate a slightly improved panel, though this is speculative. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the presence of sensors, a direct comparison is challenging. Both devices likely feature a primary camera alongside auxiliary lenses (potentially a depth or macro sensor). The image processing capabilities of the Unisoc T612’s ISP are likely more advanced than the Helio P35’s, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos taken with the Realme C33. However, the quality will ultimately depend on the sensor used, which is unknown.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C33’s Unisoc Tiger T612 utilizes two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores. This is a significant upgrade over the Honor 8A’s MediaTek Helio P35, which employs four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. While the Helio P35’s higher clock speed *might* offer a slight advantage in single-core tasks, the Cortex-A75 cores in the T612 provide substantially better performance per clock cycle and superior multi-core performance. This translates to smoother multitasking and faster app loading times on the Realme C33. The T612’s architecture is also more efficient, potentially leading to better battery life under load.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Realme C33’s 10W charging is a notable limitation. The Honor 8A’s charging speed is also likely similar. This means both devices will require a significant amount of time to fully charge. The Unisoc T612’s improved efficiency *could* offset the slower charging speed to some extent, providing slightly longer usable battery life on the Realme C33, especially during moderate usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 8A 2020 if you prioritize finding the absolute lowest price and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you want a more fluid and responsive experience, even for slightly more demanding apps, and appreciate the benefits of a more modern processor architecture for future software compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C33 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
No, the Realme C33’s Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset is more than capable of handling everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and web browsing. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a significant performance boost over the Honor 8A’s older processor, ensuring a smoother and more responsive experience.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Realme C33 a major drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today’s standards. Expect a full charge to take several hours. However, the Unisoc T612’s improved power efficiency may mitigate this issue somewhat, providing longer usable battery life between charges.
❓ Can the Honor 8A 2020 handle basic mobile gaming?
The Honor 8A 2020 can handle *very* basic mobile games, but expect low frame rates and potential lag in more demanding titles. The Helio P35 is an older chipset and struggles with graphically intensive games. The Realme C33 will offer a noticeably better gaming experience, though still limited to lighter titles.
