The Realme C25Y and Honor Play 3e represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Realme C25Y prioritizes faster charging, while the Honor Play 3e focuses on a slightly different chipset architecture. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing quick top-ups and a slightly more modern CPU architecture, the Realme C25Y is the better choice. Its 18W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the likely 10W charging of the Honor Play 3e, and the Unisoc T610 offers a performance edge in multi-tasking.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2021, September 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 147.1 x 70.8 x 8.5 mm (5.79 x 2.79 x 0.33 in) | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 146 g (5.15 oz) | 200 g (7.05 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 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762R Helio P22 (12 nm) | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 11, Realme UI R |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 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 | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 168 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Night Black, Platinum Gold, Aurora Blue | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray |
| Models | - | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 140 EUR |
Honor Play 3e
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset.
- Honor's Magic UI offers a clean software experience.
- Likely a more affordable price point.
- Older chipset architecture (Helio P22) results in slower performance.
- Slower charging speed (likely 10W).
- Less capable CPU for multitasking.
Realme C25Y
- Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups.
- More modern CPU architecture (Unisoc T610) for smoother performance.
- Better multitasking capabilities.
- May have slightly shorter battery life under heavy load.
- Realme UI can include pre-installed bloatware.
- Potentially slightly higher price.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. Without specific brightness data, it's difficult to declare a winner, but the Realme C25Y's potential for a slightly better color calibration, common in Realme's offerings, could give it a minor edge. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are expected to feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details beyond the likely presence of a main and depth sensor, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Realme generally employs more aggressive image processing, which can result in more vibrant, albeit sometimes less accurate, photos. The Honor Play 3e likely prioritizes a more natural look. The absence of OIS on either device means low-light performance will be limited, and any 2MP macro sensors included are unlikely to deliver significant detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C25Y’s Unisoc T610 utilizes two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.8 GHz. This architecture provides a noticeable advantage in single-core performance compared to the Honor Play 3e’s MediaTek Helio P22. The Helio P22 features four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz and another four at 1.5 GHz. While the P22's higher clock speed *sounds* better, the older A53 architecture and lack of A75 cores mean the T610 will feel snappier in everyday tasks and app loading. The T610's more efficient cores also contribute to better power management during sustained workloads. The Realme C25Y will likely handle multitasking and light gaming more smoothly.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, both devices likely house around a 5000mAh battery, standard for this price range. The Realme C25Y’s 18W charging is the key differentiator. This allows for a significantly faster 0-100% charge time compared to the Honor Play 3e, which likely supports only 10W charging. This faster charging is a major convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their phone throughout the day. The Honor Play 3e may offer slightly longer screen-on time due to the less power-hungry Helio P22, but the convenience of the Realme C25Y’s charging outweighs this benefit for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 3e if you need a phone for extremely basic tasks – calls, texts, and light social media – and prioritize a potentially longer battery life due to the less powerful chipset. Buy the Realme C25Y if you prefer a phone that can handle moderate multitasking, occasional gaming, and benefits from significantly faster charging, making it ideal for users on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T610 in the Realme C25Y powerful enough for playing games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T610 can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a stable frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's capable of providing a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Realme C25Y with the included charger?
With the 18W charger, the Realme C25Y should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. This is significantly faster than the Honor Play 3e, which likely takes over 4 hours with its slower charging.
❓ Does the Honor Play 3e support fast charging?
No, the Honor Play 3e likely only supports standard 10W charging. This means it will take considerably longer to fully charge compared to the Realme C25Y's 18W fast charging.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls, texts, and WhatsApp?
The Honor Play 3e is a suitable choice for basic usage. Its less powerful chipset will still handle these tasks adequately, and it may offer slightly longer battery life. However, the Realme C25Y's faster charging is still a benefit even for light users.
