The Oppo A32 and Realme 7i represent a sweet spot in the smartphone market – affordable devices aiming to deliver essential features without breaking the bank. Both target first-time smartphone buyers and those seeking a reliable secondary device. However, they diverge significantly in their core processing power, utilizing chipsets from Qualcomm and MediaTek respectively. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more efficient processor, the Realme 7i (Global) emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, built on a 12nm process, offers a performance edge over the Oppo A32’s Snapdragon 460, despite both featuring 18W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 10. Released 2020, September 10 | 2020, December 22. Released 2020, December 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ), 560 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Electric Black, Fancy Blue | Glory Silver, Victory Blue |
| Models | PDVM00 | - |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
Oppo A32
- Potentially smoother software experience with ColorOS.
- Efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset.
- Reliable brand reputation.
- Less powerful CPU architecture compared to the Helio G85.
- Lacks reverse charging capability.
- Potentially slower app loading times.
Realme 7i (Global)
- More powerful Helio G85 chipset for gaming and multitasking.
- 5W reverse wired charging for accessory power.
- Improved ISP for potentially better image quality.
- 12nm process may lead to slightly higher power consumption.
- Realme UI may not appeal to all users.
- Potential for more aggressive background app management.
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Realme provide display specifications beyond size and resolution in the provided data. Assuming typical LCD panels for this price bracket, the user experience will likely be similar. However, the Realme 7i’s chipset might allow for slightly smoother animations and transitions. Without knowing the panel type (IPS, TFT) or color gamut coverage, a definitive display winner is impossible to declare.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and supporting lenses. However, the Realme 7i’s chipset generally offers better image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially leading to improved image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, where the Realme 7i’s ISP could again provide an advantage. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility for serious photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 7i’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) utilizes a more modern CPU architecture with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the Oppo A32’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) with its 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 and 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240 configuration. While the Snapdragon 460 benefits from a smaller 11nm process, the Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores provide a significant performance boost in single-core tasks and gaming. This translates to faster app loading times and a more responsive user experience on the Realme 7i. The 12nm process of the Helio G85 may result in slightly higher power consumption under heavy load.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds from 0-100%. The Realme 7i adds the convenience of 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to function as a portable power bank for accessories like earbuds or smartwatches. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Helio G85’s slightly higher power consumption might necessitate a larger battery on the Realme 7i to achieve comparable battery life to the Oppo A32. However, the efficiency gains from the 12nm process could mitigate this difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A32 if you prioritize a potentially smoother software experience due to Oppo’s ColorOS optimizations and are less concerned with demanding gaming or multitasking. Buy the Realme 7i (Global) if you prefer a chipset known for its gaming capabilities and benefit from the added convenience of 5W reverse wired charging, making it a useful power bank for accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 7i’s Helio G85 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G85 is a capable gaming chip, its 12nm process means it will generate more heat than the Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process. However, Realme typically implements thermal management solutions to mitigate overheating. Expect some throttling during extended, graphically intensive gaming, but it shouldn’t be severe enough to render the phone unusable.
❓ Is the 18W charging on both phones truly 'fast charging'?
18W charging is considered moderate fast charging in today’s market. While it’s faster than standard 5W or 10W charging, it won’t deliver the rapid charging speeds seen on flagship devices. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours, depending on battery capacity and usage during charging.
❓ Does the Realme 7i support high frame rates in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Realme 7i’s Helio G85 chipset is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high graphics settings with frame rates up to 60fps. However, achieving consistently smooth performance at the highest settings may require adjusting graphics options to balance visual quality and frame rate.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Oppo’s ColorOS and Realme UI?
Both ColorOS and Realme UI are based on Android, but they offer distinct user interfaces and features. ColorOS is generally known for its customization options and feature-richness, while Realme UI aims for a cleaner, more stock-Android-like experience. Preference is subjective, but Realme UI is often considered less bloated.
