The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Oppo A16K and the Realme C30s. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A16K edges out the Realme C30s thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better camera performance. However, the Realme C30s might offer a more streamlined software experience and potentially a more appealing design for some users. It's a close call!
| 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 | 2022, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 08 | Available. Released 2022, September 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 164.2 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 186 g (6.56 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 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | - |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 12, Realme UI Go |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | 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, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 5 MP, (wide), 1/5.0", 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 | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 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 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4230 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Stripe Blue, Stripe Black |
| Models | CPH2349 | RMX3690 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Oppo A16K
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- Potentially better camera
- Larger storage options available (depending on variant)
- Design may be less appealing to some
- 10W charging is slow
Realme C30s
- Clean and simple software experience
- Potentially more compact design
- Good battery life
- Less powerful chipset
- Camera performance likely inferior
- Limited storage options
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.52-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for everyday use. Color accuracy is typical for this price range, leaning towards slightly oversaturated hues. Neither display stands out significantly, making it a draw.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo A16K likely has a slight advantage in camera quality, potentially offering better detail and dynamic range thanks to its likely higher resolution main sensor (specifications are not fully available for the C30s). Both phones will struggle in low-light conditions. Expect decent daytime shots.
Performance
The Oppo A16K's Mediatek Helio G35 chipset generally outperforms the Realme C30s' Cortex-A55 CPU. While neither is a powerhouse, the A16K handles basic apps and multitasking slightly better. Expect some lag with demanding games on both devices.
Battery Life
Both phones feature a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 10W, meaning a full charge will take around 2-3 hours.
Buying Guide
The Oppo A16K is ideal for users who prioritize a bit more processing power for basic gaming and multitasking. The Realme C30s is a good choice for those seeking a simple, reliable phone with a clean interface and a focus on essential features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Oppo A16K is slightly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset, although neither phone is designed for demanding games.
❓ Do these phones have 5G connectivity?
No, neither the Oppo A16K nor the Realme C30s support 5G. They are both 4G LTE devices.