The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Motorola Moto E22 and the Realme C35 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily in their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C35 is the better choice. While both phones share a similar price point, the C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset offers a more balanced CPU performance profile, and its 18W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Moto E22’s sluggish 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 16 | 2022, February 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 11 | Available. Released 2022, February 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 74.7 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.94 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 | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 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@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (32GB 3GB RAM model only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4020 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Astro Black, Crystal Blue | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
| Models | - | RMX3511 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
Motorola Moto E22
- Established Brand Reputation
- Potentially Lower Initial Cost
- Simple, User-Friendly Interface (typical of Motorola)
- Slower Charging Speed (10W)
- Less Powerful Chipset (Helio G37)
- Potentially Limited Multitasking Performance
Realme C35
- Faster Charging (18W)
- More Modern CPU Architecture (Unisoc T616)
- Improved Multitasking Capabilities
- Potentially Better Image Processing
- Less Well-Known Brand
- Software Updates May Be Less Frequent
- Potential for Bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither Motorola nor Realme provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The real difference lies in the processing power driving the display. The C35’s more capable chipset can potentially handle more complex UI animations and smoother scrolling. Bezels are expected to be similar on both devices, reflecting cost-saving measures. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either, but both should be adequate for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially a depth or macro sensor. Given the price point, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The Realme C35’s more powerful chipset *could* allow for more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. However, without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference here is the chipset. The Moto E22 uses the Mediatek Helio G37, featuring four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. The Realme C35, however, employs the Unisoc Tiger T616, with a more modern configuration: two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. The A75 cores in the C35 represent a significant architectural improvement over the A53 cores in the E22, offering better single-core performance and improved efficiency. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the Unisoc’s architecture provides a performance edge. The E22 will likely struggle with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, the key differentiator is charging speed. The Moto E22 is limited to 10W wired charging, which will require a significant amount of time to fully charge the battery. The Realme C35, with its 18W charging support, offers a much faster charging experience. This is a crucial advantage for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day and need to quickly top up the battery. Even with a similar battery capacity, the C35’s faster charging will result in less downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto E22 if you prioritize a familiar, established brand and are willing to sacrifice charging speed and some processing power for a slightly lower initial cost. Buy the Realme C35 if you value faster charging, a more modern CPU architecture for smoother multitasking, and don't mind a less-known brand. The C35 is the better option for users who actively use apps and want a more responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C35 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Realme C35 is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Helio G37 in the Moto E22 will struggle more with these titles, requiring even lower settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone from 0%?
With its 10W charging, the Motorola Moto E22 will likely take over 3 hours to fully charge. The Realme C35, with its 18W charging, should fully charge in around 2 hours, potentially even less depending on the charger used. This is a significant difference for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset reliable and well-supported?
Unisoc has been steadily improving its chipset offerings, and the Tiger T616 is a competent processor for its price range. While it doesn't have the same brand recognition as MediaTek or Qualcomm, it offers a solid balance of performance and efficiency. Software support and long-term updates are areas where Realme may outperform Motorola, but both brands have historically been inconsistent in this regard.
