The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Honor 8S 2020, while still available, represents an older generation of entry-level devices. The Realme C33 2023 aims to offer a more modern experience. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C33 2023 is the clear winner. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU, provides a substantial performance uplift over the Honor 8S’s quad-core Helio A22. While both phones target the ultra-budget segment, the C33 offers a smoother, more responsive experience for everyday tasks and light multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 27. Released 2020, May 27 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 147.1 x 70.8 x 8.5 mm (5.79 x 2.79 x 0.33 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 146 g (5.15 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~78.1% 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 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9, Google Play Services | 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 |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue, Midnight Black, Green | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | - | RMX3627 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Honor 8S 2020
- Potentially lower price point (due to age)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Compact form factor (likely)
- Outdated processor (Helio A22)
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Likely lower display quality
Realme C33 2023
- Significantly faster processor (Unisoc T612)
- Improved multitasking performance
- More modern software experience
- Slow 10W charging
- May be slightly more expensive
- Potential for bloatware (Realme UI)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but the Honor 8S’s age suggests it will likely have lower peak brightness and potentially narrower viewing angles. The Realme C33, being newer, may benefit from slight improvements in color calibration, though neither is expected to challenge mid-range or flagship displays.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, given the focus on cost reduction in both devices. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, the Realme C33’s newer image signal processor (ISP) within the T612 chipset may offer slightly better image processing, potentially resulting in improved dynamic range and noise reduction. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) in this segment suggests neither phone will excel in versatility.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Realme C33’s Unisoc Tiger T612, with its octa-core configuration (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), is a considerable upgrade over the Honor 8S’s MediaTek Helio A22 (quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53). The Cortex-A75 cores in the C33 provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. The A22 in the Honor 8S will struggle with multitasking and more demanding applications. While both are built on a 12nm process, the architectural advantages of the T612 are undeniable.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for the Honor 8S, but typical budget phones of that era featured around 3000-3500mAh. The Realme C33 supports 10W wired charging. While 10W is slow by modern standards, it’s adequate for overnight charging. The Realme C33’s more efficient processor may translate to slightly better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity battery, as the A22 is known to be less power efficient.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 8S 2020 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your usage is limited to basic communication – calls, texts, and very light web browsing. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you want a phone that can handle social media, streaming video, and casual gaming without significant lag, and you appreciate a more modern processor architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C33 2023 be able to run popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset in the Realme C33 2023 is significantly more capable than the Helio A22 in the Honor 8S. It should handle TikTok, Instagram, and other popular social media apps without noticeable lag or stuttering, even with multiple apps open.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Realme C33 2023 a major drawback?
While 10W charging is slow compared to modern fast charging standards, it's typical for phones in this price range. It's best suited for overnight charging. The Realme C33’s more efficient processor also means you won’t need to charge it as frequently.
❓ Can the Honor 8S 2020 handle basic games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
The Honor 8S 2020 can *run* these games, but expect lower frame rates and potential stuttering, especially during more visually intensive moments. The Helio A22 is a very basic processor and will struggle with even simple games over extended periods.
❓ Does the Realme C33 2023 support software updates?
Realme generally provides software updates for their devices, though the frequency and duration of support for budget models like the C33 are limited. Expect at least one major Android version update, and potentially security patches for a couple of years.
