The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Infinix Hot 9 and the Realme C33 2023 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, their core performance differs significantly due to their respective chipsets, making this a crucial comparison for budget-conscious buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Realme C33 2023 is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Infinix Hot 9’s Helio A25, despite the slower 10W charging.
| 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, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 23. Released 2020, April | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 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 | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 10, XOS 6.0 | Android 12, Realme UI S |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Triple-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses
or
16 MP, (wide), PDAF (64/128 GB models only)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 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 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Quetzal Cyan, Violet, Ocean Wave | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | X655C, X655, X655D | RMX3627 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Infinix Hot 9
- Potentially larger battery capacity
- Lower price point (likely)
- Simple, straightforward user experience
- Significantly weaker CPU performance
- Struggles with multitasking
- Poor gaming performance
Realme C33 2023
- Faster and more responsive CPU
- Better multitasking capabilities
- More enjoyable casual gaming experience
- Slower 10W charging
- Potentially smaller battery capacity
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither device is known for display prowess. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Without specific brightness or color gamut data, it's difficult to declare a winner. However, the Realme C33 2023’s newer design may incorporate slightly improved viewing angles and potentially better factory calibration, though this is speculative. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups. Without detailed sensor information beyond the typical 2MP macro lens found on both, a direct comparison is difficult. Image quality will heavily rely on software processing. The Realme C33 2023 may benefit from Unisoc’s image signal processor (ISP) offering slightly improved noise reduction and dynamic range, but this is not guaranteed. The absence of OIS on either device means low-light performance will be limited.
Performance
This is where the Realme C33 2023 pulls ahead. The Infinix Hot 9’s MediaTek Helio A25 utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8GHz and another four at 1.5GHz. This is a purely efficiency-focused design. In contrast, the Realme C33 2023’s Unisoc Tiger T612 features two higher-performance Cortex-A75 cores at 1.8GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.8GHz. The A75 cores provide a significant boost in single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural difference is substantial. The Helio A25 will struggle with demanding tasks, while the T612 offers a more usable experience.
Battery Life
The Infinix Hot 9 likely has a larger battery capacity (spec not provided, but typical for the model range) than the Realme C33 2023. However, the more efficient Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C33 2023 could offset some of that capacity difference. The Realme C33 2023’s 10W charging is significantly slower than what’s becoming standard, meaning a full charge will take considerably longer than on devices with 18W or higher charging capabilities. The Hot 9's charging speed is also likely to be slow, but potentially offset by the larger battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 9 if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and you prioritize a potentially longer-lasting battery life due to less demanding hardware. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you frequently switch between apps, enjoy casual gaming, or require a more responsive user experience, accepting the trade-off of slower charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C33 2023 run PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Unisoc Tiger T612 can handle PUBG Mobile at low to medium settings with reasonable frame rates. However, don't expect a consistently smooth experience, especially during intense firefights. The Helio A25 in the Infinix Hot 9 will struggle significantly with PUBG.
❓ How much faster is the Realme C33 2023 in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
The Realme C33 2023 will feel noticeably snappier when opening apps, switching between them, and scrolling through webpages. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a significant advantage in these common tasks, reducing lag and improving overall responsiveness compared to the Infinix Hot 9.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Realme C33 2023 a major drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take over 3 hours. If fast charging is a priority, these phones are not ideal. However, the Realme C33 2023’s more efficient chipset may mean you need to charge it less frequently.
