Both the Honor 8A Prime and the Realme C11 (2021) occupy the ultra-budget smartphone segment, aiming to deliver essential functionality at the lowest possible price. However, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those choices, revealing which phone offers the better experience for everyday tasks and long-term usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and efficiency, the Honor 8A Prime is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P35, built on a 12nm process, offers a more refined experience than the Realme C11’s Unisoc SC9863A, which suffers from a less efficient 28nm fabrication. While the Realme C11 offers reverse wired charging, the performance trade-off isn't worth it for most.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 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, March 30. Released 2020, March 30 | 2021, June 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 28 |
| 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) | 165.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.3% 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9 | Android 11, Realme Go UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Cool Blue, Cool Grey |
| Models | JAT-LX1 | RMX3231 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 80 EUR |
Honor 8A Prime
- More efficient processor (Helio P35)
- Likely better sustained performance
- Potentially longer battery life
- Lacks reverse wired charging
- Display specs are unknown
Realme C11 (2021)
- Includes reverse wired charging
- Potentially larger screen size
- May have a higher megapixel main camera
- Less efficient processor (Unisoc SC9863A)
- Slower performance
- Likely shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, detailed specs are missing. The Realme C11’s larger screen size (assumed, based on market positioning) might be preferable for media consumption, but without knowing the resolution or brightness levels, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones featuring basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both rely on budget sensors. The Realme C11 may have a slight edge if it includes a higher megapixel count for the main sensor, but image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and won’t significantly impact image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 8A Prime’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) utilizes a more modern architecture with Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3GHz and 1.8GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Realme C11’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) and its slower Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6GHz and 1.2GHz. The 12nm process of the Helio P35 is significantly more efficient, meaning less heat generation and better sustained performance. While both are octa-core, the architectural improvements and process node give the Helio P35 a clear advantage in real-world responsiveness. The Realme C11 will likely struggle more with multitasking and demanding apps.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely feature around 4000-5000mAh batteries. The Realme C11’s 10W charging is slow by modern standards, and the inclusion of reverse wired charging, while a novelty, comes at the cost of efficiency. The Honor 8A Prime, with its more efficient chipset, will likely achieve longer battery life on a single charge, even with a similar capacity battery. The 28nm process of the Unisoc chip will consume more power, reducing overall uptime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 8A Prime if you need a phone that feels responsive for basic tasks like browsing, messaging, and social media, and you value battery life. Its more efficient processor translates to longer usage between charges. Buy the Realme C11 (2021) if you absolutely require reverse wired charging to top up accessories, and are willing to accept slightly slower performance and potentially shorter battery life in exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C11 (2021) struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Unisoc SC9863A chipset in the Realme C11 (2021) is less powerful than the Helio P35 in the Honor 8A Prime. While it will run basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, you may experience noticeable lag when switching between apps or loading media, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the Realme C11 (2021) actually useful?
The 10W reverse wired charging on the Realme C11 (2021) is a slow process. It's primarily useful for topping up small accessories like Bluetooth headphones or a smartwatch in an emergency, but it won't quickly charge larger devices like another smartphone. It also drains the Realme C11's battery faster.
❓ Which phone is better for playing casual games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
The Honor 8A Prime will provide a smoother gaming experience for casual titles. The Helio P35's more capable GPU and efficient architecture will result in fewer frame drops and less overheating compared to the Realme C11 (2021)'s Unisoc SC9863A.
