The Honor Play10A and Realme C33 2023 represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets – Mediatek’s Helio G81 in the Honor versus Unisoc’s Tiger T612 in the Realme – impacting performance and efficiency.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and slightly better gaming capabilities, the Honor Play10A is the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Helio G81 chipset, with its higher clocked Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Realme C33 2023’s Unisoc Tiger T612, despite the Realme’s slightly higher CPU clock speed on the A55 cores.
| 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, October 23 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 23 | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.57 x 3.03 x 0.31 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 | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 12, Realme UI S |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 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, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5260 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Cyan | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | NLA-LX3 | RMX3627 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Honor Play10A
- Faster charging (15W vs 10W)
- More powerful CPU cores (Helio G81)
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Software experience may be less refined than Realme UI
- Camera performance likely inferior to Realme C33's 50MP sensor (if equipped)
Realme C33 2023
- Potentially cleaner software experience (Realme UI)
- May feature a higher resolution main camera sensor (50MP)
- Slightly higher clock speed on Cortex-A55 cores
- Slower charging (10W)
- Less powerful CPU cores (Unisoc Tiger T612)
- Potentially lower overall performance
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the focus here is on processing power. Expect both to offer adequate, but not exceptional, viewing experiences for their price point. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, typical of this segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely employ similar budget camera sensors. The Realme C33 2023 often includes a 50MP main sensor, which, if present, would likely outperform any sensor found in the Play10A given the typical sensor choices for this price bracket. However, image processing plays a crucial role, and Honor’s software optimizations could potentially close the gap. The inclusion of low-resolution macro/depth sensors on both is largely marketing fluff and shouldn’t heavily influence purchasing decisions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor Play10A’s Mediatek Helio G81 features a dual-core Cortex-A75 setup clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.7 GHz. The Realme C33 2023 utilizes the Unisoc Tiger T612, with a similar dual-core Cortex-A75 configuration but clocked slightly lower at 1.8 GHz, alongside six Cortex-A55 cores also at 1.8 GHz. While the Realme has a slight clock speed advantage on the A55 cores, the G81’s A75 cores are generally more performant, leading to better overall responsiveness. The 12nm process node is shared, meaning thermal management will be comparable, but the G81’s architecture gives it an edge in sustained performance.
Battery Life
The Realme C33 2023’s 10W charging is significantly slower than the Honor Play10A’s 15W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging on the Honor provides a tangible benefit, reducing the time spent tethered to a power outlet. A 5W difference may not seem large, but it translates to a noticeable reduction in 0-100% charge time, especially important for users who need to quickly top up their devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play10A if you need a phone that can handle multitasking and light gaming with more fluidity. Its Helio G81 chipset offers a tangible performance boost for demanding apps. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you prioritize a clean software experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and are willing to trade some processing power for potential software optimizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C33 2023 struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Instagram?
While the Unisoc T612 can handle basic social media apps, you might experience occasional lag or stuttering when multitasking or using more demanding features within those apps. The Helio G81 in the Honor Play10A offers a smoother experience for these scenarios.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone from 0%?
With 15W charging, the Honor Play10A will likely reach 100% in around 2.5-3 hours. The Realme C33 2023’s 10W charging will take considerably longer, potentially exceeding 4 hours, making the Honor a better choice for users who need quick top-ups.
❓ Is the Realme C33 2023 a good option for playing mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Realme C33 2023 can *run* these games, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings significantly to achieve playable frame rates. The Unisoc T612 isn’t designed for intensive gaming. The Honor Play10A, with its Helio G81, will offer a slightly better gaming experience, but still requires compromises in graphical settings.
