The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The HTC A103 Plus and Realme C35 both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily in their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C35 is the better choice. While both phones utilize a 12nm process, the Realme C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616, with its Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the HTC A103 Plus’s Mediatek MT8768A. Crucially, the C35’s 18W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the A103 Plus’s slow 10W charging.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 19 | 2022, February 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2022, February 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 239.2 x 157.9 x 7.9 mm (9.42 x 6.22 x 0.31 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 430 g (15.17 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8768A (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
| Models | - | RMX3511 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
HTC A103 Plus
- Potentially simpler software experience (depending on Android version)
- Established brand recognition (HTC)
- May be available through specific carrier channels
- Slower processor (Mediatek MT8768A)
- Significantly slower charging (10W)
- Likely less optimized software experience
Realme C35
- Faster processor (Unisoc Tiger T616 with Cortex-A75 cores)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Unisoc chipset may have less software support
- Realme’s UI can be feature-rich but potentially bloated
- Build quality may be slightly lower to achieve the price point
Display Comparison
Neither HTC nor Realme provide display specifications beyond the basic resolution. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is expected. The real-world impact will be similar viewing experiences, but the Realme C35’s slightly larger screen size (assumed, based on typical Realme designs) may offer a more immersive experience. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting cost-saving measures in both designs.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor. Given the market segment, image quality will be adequate for social media sharing but won’t compete with higher-end devices. The Realme C35, benefiting from Realme’s image processing algorithms, may offer slightly more vibrant and detailed photos. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This configuration provides a significant advantage in single-core performance compared to the HTC A103 Plus’s Mediatek MT8768A, which uses four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.5 GHz. The A75 cores in the C35 are architecturally superior, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the T616’s architecture translates to a more responsive user experience. The A103 Plus will likely struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both phones likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range, typical for this price bracket. The critical difference is charging speed. The Realme C35 supports 18W wired charging, allowing for a significantly faster 0-100% charge time compared to the HTC A103 Plus’s 10W charging. This faster charging is a major convenience factor, especially for users who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day. The A103 Plus will require considerably longer to fully recharge.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC A103 Plus if you prioritize brand recognition and a potentially simpler software experience, and are willing to accept slower performance and charging. Buy the Realme C35 if you prioritize performance for everyday tasks and media consumption, and value the convenience of faster charging. The C35 is the better option for users who actively use apps or play mobile games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Realme C35 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Mediatek MT8768A in the HTC A103 Plus will struggle more with demanding games, requiring even lower settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone from 0%?
With its 18W charging, the Realme C35 should fully charge in approximately 2-2.5 hours. The HTC A103 Plus, with its 10W charging, will take significantly longer – likely 4-5 hours to reach 100%.
❓ Is the software on either phone heavily customized with bloatware?
Realme’s UI (based on Android) is known for being feature-rich, but it often includes pre-installed apps (bloatware). HTC typically offers a cleaner Android experience, but software updates may be less frequent. Both phones will likely have some pre-installed apps, but Realme’s is generally more extensive.
