The Oppo A11s and Realme 5i represent a competitive segment of the smartphone market – affordable devices aiming to deliver essential functionality. While both rely on Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, they differ in their specific implementations, impacting performance and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme 5i emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 665 chipset, despite being an older generation, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the A11s’ Snapdragon 460, making it more suitable for multitasking and moderately demanding apps. While the A11s boasts faster 18W charging, the 5i’s overall value proposition is stronger.
| 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, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 27 | 2020, January 06. Released 2020, January |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 27 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 164.4 x 75 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, White | Blue, Green |
| Models | - | RMX2030, RMX2032 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 170 EUR |
Oppo A11s
- Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially slightly better battery efficiency due to the less powerful chipset.
- Oppo’s ColorOS interface may appeal to some users.
- Less powerful Snapdragon 460 chipset results in slower performance.
- May struggle with multitasking and demanding apps.
- Likely inferior camera performance compared to the Realme 5i.
Realme 5i
- More powerful Snapdragon 665 chipset for smoother performance.
- Better CPU and GPU performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Potentially better camera image processing.
- Slower 10W charging.
- May experience slightly shorter battery life under heavy load.
- Realme UI may not appeal to all users.
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Realme provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. Assuming both utilize standard IPS LCD panels common in this price bracket, the display experience will likely be similar. Expect 720p+ resolution and adequate, but not exceptional, color accuracy. The absence of higher refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is standard for this segment. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within the budget constraints.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar camera setups focused on affordability. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make precise comparisons. However, the Realme 5i’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 665 is generally more capable than the one in the Snapdragon 460. This means better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro and depth sensors on both devices suggests these are primarily for marketing purposes and offer limited real-world benefit. Focusing on the main sensor’s quality and the ISP’s processing capabilities, the Realme 5i is expected to deliver slightly better image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 5i’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm) features Kryo 260 cores clocked up to 2.0 GHz, offering a performance advantage over the Oppo A11s’ Snapdragon 460 (11nm) with its Kryo 240 cores peaking at 1.8 GHz. While both are 11nm chips, the 665’s architecture is more refined, resulting in better CPU and GPU performance. This translates to smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Realme 5i. The A11s will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications. RAM configurations are likely similar, further emphasizing the chipset as the key differentiator.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data, but both phones likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this price point. The Realme 5i’s 10W charging is slower than the Oppo A11s’ 18W charging. This means the A11s will charge from 0-100% faster, potentially offering convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery. However, the difference in charging speed is offset by the 5i’s more efficient chipset, which may result in comparable overall battery life despite the slower charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A11s if you prioritize faster charging and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use. Buy the Realme 5i if you need a more responsive experience for everyday multitasking, occasional gaming, and appreciate a slightly more powerful processor for the price. The 5i is the better option for users who don't want to compromise on performance within this budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 5i be able to run popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5i is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a stable experience. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action. The Oppo A11s’ Snapdragon 460 will struggle more with PUBG, requiring lower settings and potentially resulting in a less enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging time between the 18W and 10W charging speeds?
The Oppo A11s’ 18W charging will noticeably reduce charging time compared to the Realme 5i’s 10W charging. Expect the A11s to charge from 0-100% in approximately 2-2.5 hours, while the 5i may take closer to 3-3.5 hours. However, this difference is less critical if you typically charge your phone overnight.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5i offer any advantages for video playback?
Yes, the Snapdragon 665 includes hardware video decoding capabilities that are more efficient than those found in the Snapdragon 460. This translates to smoother playback of high-resolution videos and potentially longer battery life during video streaming.
