Released in 2018, the Oppo A3 and Realme 2 Pro represent a pivotal moment in the budget smartphone market. Both aimed to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they took different approaches to achieve this. The Oppo A3 leverages MediaTek's Helio P60, while the Realme 2 Pro opts for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 660. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the most for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Realme 2 Pro emerges as the better choice. While both phones boast identical 97-hour endurance ratings, the Snapdragon 660's architecture provides a more consistent experience under load, making it better suited for multitasking and moderate gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, April. Released 2018, May | 2018, September. Released 2018, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156 x 75.3 x 7.8 mm (6.14 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 156.7 x 74 x 8.5 mm (6.17 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 159 g (5.61 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 96.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo), ColorOS 5 | Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Knight Black, Soybean Meal, Stardust Silver, Garnet Red | Black, Deep Blue, Light Blue |
| Models | PADM00, CPH1837, PADT00 | RMX1801, RMX1807, RMX1803 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.3dB / Crosstalk -92.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 97h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1755:1 (nominal), 3.235 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 69dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 81dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 132958 (v7)
GeekBench: 5531 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 7.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A3 (2018)
- Sleek design aesthetic (based on brand reputation)
- Potentially lower price point (depending on market)
- Efficient 12nm Helio P60 processor
- Snapdragon 660 offers better sustained performance
- Limited information on camera specifications
Realme 2 Pro
- More efficient Snapdragon 660 chipset
- Better thermal management for sustained performance
- Stronger brand recognition within the gaming community
- 14nm process node is less efficient than 12nm
- Identical battery endurance to Oppo A3
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A3 and Realme 2 Pro share the same display characteristics: a contrast ratio of 1755:1 (nominal) and 3.235 (sunlight). This suggests a similar viewing experience in both indoor and outdoor conditions. However, the specific panel technology and resolution remain unspecified, meaning we can't assess color accuracy or sharpness differences. The shared contrast ratio indicates a comparable level of black depth and overall image vibrancy.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). Without this information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning of both phones, it's likely they feature similar-quality camera modules focused on providing acceptable results in good lighting conditions. The absence of details suggests neither phone prioritizes advanced camera features.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 2 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (14nm) utilizes Kryo 260 cores, offering a more balanced performance profile than the Oppo A3’s MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). While both are octa-core CPUs with 2.0 GHz peak clock speeds, the Snapdragon 660’s architecture is generally considered more efficient. The 14nm process node of the SD660, while larger than the Helio P60’s 12nm, often translates to better sustained performance due to superior thermal management. This means the Realme 2 Pro is less likely to throttle under prolonged load, benefiting users who engage in extended gaming sessions or heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A3 and Realme 2 Pro achieve an impressive endurance rating of 97 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. Both support 10W wired charging. This suggests that while battery capacity isn't explicitly stated, the power efficiency of their respective chipsets and software optimizations contribute to similar real-world performance. The identical endurance rating minimizes battery life as a differentiating factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A3 (2018) if you prioritize a sleek design and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like social media, calls, and light web browsing. Buy the Realme 2 Pro if you prefer a phone capable of handling more demanding applications, enjoy occasional gaming, and value a more efficient processor for longer-term usability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 2 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 660 in the Realme 2 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level experience, its architecture provides better sustained performance than the Helio P60, reducing the likelihood of significant frame drops during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs a major drawback for either phone?
Yes, the absence of information regarding sensor size, aperture, and OIS suggests that neither phone prioritizes advanced camera capabilities. Users seeking high-quality photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions, may be disappointed. Both are likely to perform adequately in well-lit environments.
❓ Does the Helio P60 in the Oppo A3 suffer from significant thermal throttling?
The Helio P60 is known to be susceptible to thermal throttling under sustained load. While the 12nm process is efficient, the Snapdragon 660's architecture in the Realme 2 Pro generally handles heat dissipation more effectively, leading to more consistent performance over time.
