The Huawei Nova Y73 and Realme C55 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Nova Y73 leverages Huawei’s Kirin chipset, while the C55 opts for MediaTek’s Helio G88. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the Realme C55 emerges as the better choice. While the Huawei Nova Y73 offers 40W charging, the Realme C55’s Helio G88 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a smoother overall experience, despite both phones having identical endurance ratings.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, May 28 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June 03 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, EMUI 12 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired
5W reverse wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6620 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | MGA-LX3 | RMX3710 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | ₹ 8,399 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 257263 (v9)
GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6)
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei Nova Y73
- 40W Wired Charging: Potentially faster full charge times.
- Huawei Ecosystem: Access to Huawei’s app gallery and services.
- Reverse Wired Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Older Chipset: Kirin 710A is less efficient than the Helio G88.
- 14nm Process: Potential for more heat and throttling.
Realme C55
- Modern Chipset: Helio G88 offers better performance and efficiency.
- Brighter Display: 659 nits peak brightness improves outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging (to 50%): 29 minutes to 50% is a convenient feature.
- Lower Charging Wattage: 33W is slower than the Nova Y73's peak.
- Reliance on MediaTek: Some users may prefer Huawei's software.
Display Comparison
Both the Huawei Nova Y73 and Realme C55 feature displays with a 1264:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Realme C55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 659 nits, exceeding the nominal 1264:1 contrast ratio specification, indicating a brighter and more visible screen in outdoor conditions. While both lack high refresh rates, the Realme C55’s higher brightness provides a tangible advantage for media consumption and usability in bright environments.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the provided data lacks specifics regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms. Without this information, a definitive camera comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both phones rely on similar-tier sensors. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department, focusing instead on providing adequate image quality for casual use.
Performance
The Realme C55’s MediaTek Helio G88 (12nm) chipset offers a more modern architecture than the Huawei Nova Y73’s Kirin 710A (14nm). The Helio G88 utilizes two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, while the Kirin 710A employs four Cortex-A73 cores at 2.0 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores. The 12nm process node of the Helio G88 generally translates to better power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the 14nm Kirin 710A. This architectural advantage should result in a smoother experience for gaming and multitasking on the Realme C55.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei Nova Y73 and Realme C55 achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Huawei Nova Y73 supports 40W wired charging and 5W reverse wired charging, while the Realme C55 offers 33W wired charging. The Realme C55 can reach 50% charge in just 29 minutes, offering a faster top-up time, despite the lower wattage. This faster charging speed is a practical benefit for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Nova Y73 if you prioritize Huawei’s software ecosystem and potentially faster wired charging speeds, even if it comes at the cost of raw processing power. Buy the Realme C55 if you prefer a more modern chipset architecture, a slightly brighter display, and a generally more responsive user experience for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 710A in the Huawei Nova Y73 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Kirin 710A is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but it may exhibit frame drops or require lower graphics settings in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile. The Helio G88 in the Realme C55, with its more modern architecture, is generally better suited for sustained gaming performance.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 33W and 40W, and will I notice it in daily use?
While 40W appears faster on paper, the Realme C55’s optimized charging curve allows it to reach 50% in just 29 minutes. The difference in full charge time is less dramatic. In daily use, the faster initial charge of the Realme C55 is more noticeable for quick top-ups.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications a concern for photo enthusiasts?
Yes, the absence of sensor size, aperture, and image processing details suggests neither phone is a standout camera performer. If photography is a priority, you may want to consider alternatives with more detailed camera specifications.
❓ Does the Huawei Nova Y73 support Google Mobile Services (GMS)?
The Huawei Nova Y73 does *not* natively support Google Mobile Services (GMS) due to ongoing restrictions. It relies on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery, which may require users to find alternative app sources.
