Looking for an affordable smartphone that won't break the bank? The Nokia 1.3 and Realme Narzo 50i Prime are both contenders in the budget segment, offering essential features at attractive prices. But which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme Narzo 50i Prime takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster processor, better display, and reverse charging. While the Nokia 1.3 boasts a cleaner Android experience, the Narzo 50i Prime offers a more compelling package for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 - International | 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 |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 19. Released 2020, April 02 | 2022, June 22 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, June 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 147.3 x 71.2 x 9.4 mm (5.80 x 2.80 x 0.37 in) | 164.1 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition), upgradable to Android 11 (Go edition), Android One | Android 11, Realme UI Go |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cyan, Charcoal, Sand | Dark Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | TA-1216, TA-1205 | RMX3506 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 0.64 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.38 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) | - |
Nokia 1.3
- Clean Android experience
- Guaranteed software updates (though limited)
- Durable build quality (typical of Nokia)
- Compact size
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Limited storage
Realme Narzo 50i Prime
- Faster processor
- Larger display
- Better camera
- Reverse wired charging
- Good battery life
- More aggressive UI (Realme UI)
- Potentially less frequent software updates
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
The Realme Narzo 50i Prime features a larger 6.5-inch display compared to the Nokia 1.3's 5.9-inch screen. The Narzo 50i Prime also likely has a higher resolution, resulting in a sharper and more immersive viewing experience. Both use IPS LCD panels, so color accuracy will be decent but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia 1.3 has a single 8MP rear camera, while the Realme Narzo 50i Prime features a 13MP rear camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the Narzo 50i Prime's camera likely offers better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both phones have basic front-facing cameras suitable for video calls.
Performance
Here's where the Realme Narzo 50i Prime truly shines. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset with an octa-core processor and 12nm process is considerably more powerful than the Nokia 1.3's Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28nm) quad-core processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the Narzo 50i Prime.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, but the Realme Narzo 50i Prime has a slight edge with its 5000mAh battery compared to the Nokia 1.3's 4000mAh battery. The Narzo 50i Prime also includes 10W wired charging and reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up other devices.
Buying Guide
The Nokia 1.3 is ideal for users prioritizing a pure Android experience, long-term software support (though limited), and a very basic smartphone for calls and messaging. The Realme Narzo 50i Prime is a better choice for those needing a smoother performance for everyday tasks, a larger display, and the convenience of reverse charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Realme Narzo 50i Prime has significantly better performance due to its more powerful Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset.
❓ Does the Nokia 1.3 get software updates?
Yes, Nokia promises software updates for the 1.3, but they are typically limited to security patches and Android Go updates.
