The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Oppo A12 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 dives deep into the specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly more modern architecture, the Realme C33 2023 is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Oppo A12’s older Helio P35, despite both being fabricated on a 12nm process. While neither phone excels in any single area, the C33 offers a more future-proof 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, April 20. Released 2020, April 20 | 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 | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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/2.0, 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 | Blue, Black | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | CPH2083, CPH2077 | RMX3627 |
| Price | About 560 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 3GB RAM | $ 519.00 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | $ 539.00 | - |
Oppo A12
- Potentially lower price point
- Established Oppo brand recognition
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Older, less efficient Helio P35 chipset
- Slower performance compared to the C33
- Limited future-proofing
Realme C33 2023
- More modern Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset
- Improved performance with Cortex-A75 cores
- Potentially better multitasking capabilities
- 10W charging included
- Unisoc chipset may have less software support
- Slightly higher price compared to the A12
- Camera performance likely similar to A12
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Realme provide display specifications beyond size. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels. The focus here is on the internal hardware. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies is expected. The user experience will be similar in terms of visual fidelity, but the chipset impacts how smoothly animations and scrolling are rendered.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are unavailable for either device. However, given the market segment, expectations should be tempered. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor. The image processing capabilities will be limited, and low-light performance will likely be subpar. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner; image quality will largely depend on software optimization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A12’s MediaTek Helio P35 utilizes a traditional octa-core configuration of four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. The Realme C33 2023, however, employs the Unisoc Tiger T612, featuring a more modern big.LITTLE architecture with two Cortex-A75 cores at 1.8 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.8 GHz. The Cortex-A75 cores offer significantly higher single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural advantage of the T612 is substantial. The A12's 3GB/4GB RAM options are paired with the Helio P35, while the C33's RAM configuration is not specified, but the chipset is designed to handle similar amounts efficiently.
Battery Life
The Realme C33 2023 includes 10W wired charging, a standard offering in this price range. The Oppo A12’s charging speed is not specified, but is likely similar. Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the efficiency gains of the Unisoc T612 in the C33 2023 could translate to slightly longer runtimes despite potentially similar battery capacities. Neither phone is expected to offer fast charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A12 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are comfortable with a slower, more basic user experience. It's suitable for users who primarily make calls, send texts, and occasionally browse the web. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you prefer a more responsive device for everyday tasks, light multitasking, and occasional gaming, and are willing to spend a little more for a more modern chipset architecture.
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 well-equipped to handle everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and web browsing without significant lag. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable performance boost over the Oppo A12’s Helio P35, resulting in a smoother user experience.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset reliable and well-supported?
Unisoc has been steadily improving its chipset offerings, and the Tiger T612 is a capable processor. While it may not have the same level of brand recognition as MediaTek or Qualcomm, it offers competitive performance in this price segment. Software support will depend on Realme’s update schedule, but it’s generally expected to receive basic security updates.
❓ Can I play games on the Realme C33 2023 or Oppo A12?
Both phones can handle casual games, but don't expect high frame rates or graphics settings in demanding titles. The Realme C33 2023 will offer a slightly better gaming experience due to its more powerful chipset, but it's still limited by the hardware. Expect to play at lower settings to maintain playable frame rates.
