The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Smart 7 and Realme C51s are two contenders vying for your attention. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Realme C51s is the clear winner. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Infinix Smart 7’s Helio A22, and the 33W fast charging is a game-changer in this price bracket. While the Smart 7 may offer slightly longer battery life on a single charge, the C51s’ convenience and speed outweigh this advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 09 | 2024, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 22 | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.6 x 8.7 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 167.2 x 76.7 x 7.5 mm (6.58 x 3.02 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired, 0-50% in 28 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Polar Black, Coastal Green, Iceland White, Peacock Blue | Shiny Green, Mighty Black |
| Models | X6515 | RMX3765 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Infinix Smart 7
- Potentially lower upfront cost
- May offer slightly longer battery life with conservative use
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly slower performance
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Realme C51s
- Faster and more responsive performance
- 33W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Better suited for multitasking and casual gaming
- Slightly higher upfront cost
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to Smart 7 (depending on capacity)
- May require more frequent charging with heavy use
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, typical for this segment. However, detailed specs like resolution and peak brightness are missing. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather basic usability. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, and color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones. Without further data, it's difficult to declare a clear winner; the display experience will likely be comparable.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, relying heavily on software processing. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, the presence of a larger sensor (if any) would be a significant advantage. It’s safe to assume both phones will struggle in low-light conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to its low resolution and fixed focus. Image quality will be adequate for social media sharing, but don't expect flagship-level results.
Performance
The Realme C51s’ Unisoc Tiger T612 represents a substantial leap in processing power compared to the Infinix Smart 7’s MediaTek Helio A22. The T612’s octa-core configuration (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) provides significantly more headroom for multitasking and demanding applications than the Helio A22’s quad-core Cortex-A53 at 2.0 GHz. The Cortex-A75 cores in the C51s are architecturally superior, offering better single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches. While both chipsets are built on a 12nm process, the T612’s more efficient design and additional cores translate to a noticeably smoother user experience. Gamers will find the C51s far more capable of handling even moderately demanding titles.
Battery Life
While the exact battery capacities are unknown, the Realme C51s’ 33W wired charging is the defining factor here. The ability to charge from 0-50% in just 28 minutes is a massive convenience advantage over the Infinix Smart 7’s slow 10W charging. Even if the Smart 7 has a slightly larger battery, the C51s’ faster charging will minimize downtime. Users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their phone will greatly appreciate the C51s’ speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Smart 7 if you absolutely need the lowest possible upfront cost and prioritize maximizing battery life for extremely light usage – think basic calls and messaging. Buy the Realme C51s if you value a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and the convenience of rapid charging, even if it means spending a little more upfront. The C51s is ideal for users who consume media, browse the web, or occasionally play casual games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C51s capable of handling popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T612 is significantly more capable than the Helio A22 in the Infinix Smart 7. While you may need to lower graphics settings for optimal performance, the C51s should be able to run PUBG Mobile at playable frame rates, offering a much smoother gaming experience than the Smart 7.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Realme C51s compared to the 10W charging on the Infinix Smart 7?
The 33W charging on the Realme C51s is dramatically faster. Realme claims 0-50% charge in 28 minutes. The Infinix Smart 7’s 10W charging will take considerably longer – likely over 2 hours to reach a full charge. This difference is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their phone throughout the day.
❓ Will the Realme C51s overheat during extended use, like while streaming videos or playing games?
The Unisoc Tiger T612 is a relatively efficient chipset. While some heat generation is inevitable during demanding tasks, the C51s is unlikely to experience significant overheating issues. The phone's thermal design will play a role, but the T612's 12nm process and octa-core architecture are designed to balance performance and efficiency.
