The Oppo A16K and Realme C25Y represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets and charging capabilities, impacting performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and faster charging, the Realme C25Y is the better choice. Its Unisoc T610 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Oppo A16K’s Helio G35, and the 18W charging significantly reduces downtime.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 08 | 2021, September 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 08 | Available. Released 2021, September 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, Realme UI R |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 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 | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4230 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray |
| Models | CPH2349 | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 140 EUR |
Oppo A16K
- Potentially more software optimization from Oppo's ColorOS
- Reliable for basic smartphone tasks
- Likely a slightly lower price point
- Helio G35 chipset is less performant than Unisoc T610
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Realme C25Y
- Unisoc T610 offers better CPU performance
- Faster 18W charging significantly reduces downtime
- More capable for multitasking and light gaming
- Unisoc chipsets sometimes have less software support
- Realme UI can be more resource intensive than ColorOS
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and peak brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar – around 720p+ and adequate for indoor use. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic functionality.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with depth and macro sensors. Given the price point, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The absence of OIS on either device suggests low-light performance will be limited. The Realme C25Y *may* have a slight edge if it utilizes a larger sensor, but this is speculative without further information.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C25Y’s Unisoc T610 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture with 2x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Oppo A16K’s MediaTek Helio G35, which employs 4x 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 cores in the T610 provide a significant uplift in single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural advantage favors the Unisoc T610. The Helio G35 is geared towards basic tasks, while the T610 can handle more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature batteries in the 5000mAh range, common for this segment. However, the Realme C25Y’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Oppo A16K’s 10W charging. This translates to a much faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime and improving usability for power users. While a larger battery capacity is beneficial, faster charging often provides a more noticeable real-world improvement.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A16K if you prioritize a consistently stable, if slower, experience for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use. It’s a good option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Realme C25Y if you want a phone that can handle multitasking, occasional gaming, and benefits from significantly faster charging, making it ideal for users who are frequently on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C25Y handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T610 in the Realme C25Y can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (balanced or low) to maintain a playable frame rate. The Helio G35 in the Oppo A16K will struggle with PUBG, even on the lowest settings.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone?
With its 18W charging, the Realme C25Y should fully charge in approximately 2.5 - 3 hours. The Oppo A16K’s 10W charging will take significantly longer, likely around 4-5 hours to reach 100%.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A75 vs A53) noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the Cortex-A75 cores in the Realme C25Y’s Unisoc T610 provide a noticeable improvement in responsiveness when opening apps, switching between tasks, and browsing the web. The Oppo A16K’s Cortex-A53 cores are older and less efficient, resulting in a slightly laggy experience.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses WhatsApp and makes calls?
Both phones are perfectly adequate for WhatsApp and calls. However, the Realme C25Y’s faster processor will ensure these basic tasks remain smooth even with multiple apps running in the background.
