The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Oppo A11k and the Realme C33 2023 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C33 2023 is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Oppo A11k’s older Helio P35, resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading. While both offer basic functionality, the C33’s more modern architecture translates to a more responsive user experience.
| 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, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 22. Released 2020, June 22 | 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 | 155.9 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm (6.14 x 2.97 x 0.33 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 | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 | Android 12, Realme UI S |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 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, GLONASS, BDS | 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 | Li-Po 4230 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Flowing Silver, Deep Blue | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | CPH2083, CPH2071 | RMX3627 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 1.32 W/kg (head) 0.92 W/kg (body) | - |
Oppo A11k
- Established brand reputation (Oppo)
- Potentially slightly lower price (depending on region)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Older, less efficient Helio P35 chipset
- Likely slower app loading and multitasking
- Potentially limited software updates
Realme C33 2023
- More modern Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset
- Improved performance with Cortex-A75 cores
- 10W wired charging included
- Less established brand (Realme)
- May have more pre-installed bloatware
- Potentially less durable build quality
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, but the focus here is on performance, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones, prioritizing power efficiency over color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is expected to be similar, leaning towards basic functionality. Both devices likely feature a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor. Detailed sensor sizes and apertures are unavailable, but given the price point, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A11k’s MediaTek Helio P35 utilizes an older architecture with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. The Realme C33 2023’s Unisoc Tiger T612 features a more efficient design with two Cortex-A75 cores at 1.8 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.8 GHz. The A75 cores represent a significant architectural improvement, offering better single-core performance crucial for app responsiveness. While both are 12nm chips, the T612’s core configuration will result in snappier performance in everyday tasks and potentially better sustained performance under load. The Realme C33 2023 will likely exhibit less lag when switching between apps.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Realme C33 2023 includes 10W wired charging, while the Oppo A11k’s charging speed is unknown but likely similar. The Unisoc T612’s improved efficiency could translate to slightly better battery life on the Realme C33 2023, even with a similar battery capacity. The 10W charging will result in relatively slow charging times for both devices, requiring several hours to reach a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A11k if you prioritize a brand with a longer track record and are primarily focused on extremely basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use. The Helio P35 is sufficient for these scenarios. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you want a more fluid and responsive experience, even with limited app usage, and appreciate a chipset with a more modern core configuration for better long-term usability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C33 2023 handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset in the Realme C33 2023 is significantly better equipped to handle everyday apps like WhatsApp and Facebook compared to the Oppo A11k’s Helio P35. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable performance boost, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P35 and Tiger T612 noticeable for casual gaming?
While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the Realme C33 2023 with the Tiger T612 will offer a more playable experience in less demanding games. The Helio P35 in the Oppo A11k may struggle with frame rates and exhibit more lag, especially in graphically intensive titles. Expect to play simpler games comfortably on both, but the C33 will handle more.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Realme C33 2023 with the 10W charger?
With the included 10W charger, expect the Realme C33 2023 to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is a standard charging time for budget smartphones and is comparable to the Oppo A11k, whose charging speed is likely similar.
