The Realme 6i (India) and Honor Play 5T Youth represent two distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Realme 6i aims for a performance-focused experience, leveraging a more powerful chipset, while the Honor Play 5T Youth prioritizes affordability and basic functionality. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best aligns with your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance, especially gaming, the Realme 6i (India) is the clear winner. Its Helio G90T chipset and 30W charging offer a significantly smoother and faster experience. However, if your budget is extremely tight and you only need a phone for basic tasks, the Honor Play 5T Youth provides acceptable functionality at a lower price point.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 20 | 2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 27 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| | - | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4.0, no Google Play Services | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 30W wired, PD, 100% in 55 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Eclipse Black, Lunar White |
| Models | NZA-AL00, KOZ-AL40 | RMX2002 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Honor Play 5T Youth
- Extremely affordable price point
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Reliable for everyday communication
- Weak performance for gaming and multitasking
- Slower charging speed
- Likely lower camera quality
Realme 6i (India)
- Significantly better performance with Helio G90T
- Faster 30W charging with PD support
- More capable camera system (likely)
- Higher price compared to Honor Play 5T Youth
- May still require compromises in graphics settings for demanding games
- No high refresh rate display
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both utilize 12nm process technology, suggesting similar power consumption characteristics. However, detailed display specs (resolution, panel type, brightness) are missing for the Honor Play 5T Youth. The Realme 6i, while not specified, likely features a standard IPS LCD panel common in its price bracket. The absence of high refresh rates on either device indicates a focus on battery life over visual fluidity. Without further data, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Realme 6i's likely higher peak brightness (based on typical Realme implementations) gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Camera details beyond the presence of sensors are limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on the main sensor and image processing algorithms. Given the price point, expecting flagship-level camera performance is unrealistic. The Realme 6i, benefiting from Realme’s image processing expertise, likely delivers more consistent and pleasing results. The Honor Play 5T Youth, while functional, will likely struggle in low-light conditions and produce less detailed images. The absence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, which is less effective.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Realme 6i’s Mediatek Helio G90T features a combination of 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, a significantly more powerful architecture than the Honor Play 5T Youth’s Helio P35, which uses 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A76 cores in the G90T offer a considerable IPC (Instructions Per Clock) advantage over the A53 cores in the P35, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a much better gaming experience. The G90T also includes a more capable GPU, making it suitable for playing demanding titles at medium settings. The P35 is geared towards basic tasks and will struggle with graphically intensive applications. This difference makes the Realme 6i the clear choice for users who prioritize performance.
Battery Life
The Realme 6i’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Honor Play 5T Youth’s 22.5W charging. Realme claims a 100% charge in 55 minutes, while the Honor Play 5T Youth will take considerably longer. While battery capacity isn't specified for either device, the faster charging of the Realme 6i mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. Users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their phone will greatly appreciate the Realme 6i’s faster charging capabilities. The inclusion of PD (Power Delivery) on the Realme 6i also offers broader compatibility with chargers.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play 5T Youth if you need a reliable, extremely affordable smartphone for basic communication, social media, and light web browsing. You're willing to compromise on performance and charging speed to save money. Buy the Realme 6i (India) if you prefer a phone capable of handling moderate gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps, and you value faster charging and a more responsive user experience. You're willing to spend a bit more for a noticeable performance boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 6i (India) overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate some heat under sustained load. However, Realme typically implements thermal management solutions to mitigate throttling. While you may experience some performance reduction after extended gaming, it's unlikely to be severe enough to render the phone unusable. The Honor Play 5T Youth, with its less powerful chipset, will likely generate less heat but also offer a significantly lower gaming experience.
❓ Is the 22.5W charging on the Honor Play 5T Youth slow compared to modern standards?
Yes, 22.5W is relatively slow compared to the 30W (or faster) charging found on many modern smartphones, including the Realme 6i. Expect a significantly longer charging time – potentially over 2 hours for a full charge – compared to the Realme 6i’s 55-minute claim. This is a key trade-off for the lower price point.
❓ Can the Realme 6i (India) run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Realme 6i (India) can likely run PUBG Mobile at 60fps on medium graphics settings. The Helio G90T is capable of handling the game, but pushing the settings to high may result in frame drops and stuttering. The Honor Play 5T Youth will struggle to maintain a stable 30fps even on the lowest settings.
