The Oppo A33 (2020) and Realme 7i represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they diverge in their core hardware choices – Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 460 versus MediaTek’s Helio G85. This comparison dives deep into these differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more efficient processor, the Realme 7i emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset, built on a 12nm process, provides a noticeable edge in CPU and GPU performance, making it more suitable for gaming and multitasking, despite both phones sharing the same 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, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 28. Released 2020, October 01 | 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 |
|---|
| 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 | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | 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 | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 gear 3 (one-lane) | 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 | Moonlight Black, Mint Cream | Glory Silver, Victory Blue |
| Models | CPH2137 | - |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 190 EUR |
Oppo A33 (2020)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 offers a stable software experience.
- Potentially slightly better thermal management due to 11nm process.
- Clean and simple user interface (typical of Oppo).
- Less powerful processor compared to the Helio G85.
- Lacks reverse charging functionality.
- Limited gaming performance.
Realme 7i (Global)
- More powerful MediaTek Helio G85 chipset.
- 5W reverse wired charging for added convenience.
- Better gaming performance and multitasking capabilities.
- MediaTek chipsets sometimes receive less frequent software updates.
- 12nm process may result in slightly higher power consumption.
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Realme provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. The Realme 7i’s Helio G85 is paired with a more capable GPU, which can translate to a smoother visual experience in games, even if the panels themselves are similar. Expect both to offer adequate, but not exceptional, color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a triple-camera setup, but details beyond the main sensor resolution are scarce. The Realme 7i likely benefits from MediaTek’s Imagiq image signal processor, which offers advanced features like multi-frame noise reduction and HDR processing. While both phones likely include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, the Realme 7i’s more powerful chipset allows for faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The inclusion of 5W reverse charging on the Realme 7i suggests a slightly more robust power management system, which could indirectly benefit camera performance by ensuring stable power delivery.
Performance
The Realme 7i’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) represents a significant step up in processing power compared to the Oppo A33’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm). While the Snapdragon 460 utilizes an octa-core configuration with Kryo 240 cores, the Helio G85’s architecture – featuring two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz – delivers superior single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Realme 7i. The 12nm process node of the Helio G85, while larger than the Snapdragon’s 11nm, is optimized for performance, and the GPU advantage is substantial.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A33 (2020) and Realme 7i support 18W wired charging, promising similar charging speeds. However, the Realme 7i adds the convenience of 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices. While neither phone boasts a massive battery capacity (specifics are unavailable), the Helio G85’s efficiency, combined with Realme’s software optimizations, may result in slightly better real-world battery life compared to the Oppo A33, despite the Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A33 (2020) if you prioritize a potentially smoother experience with less demanding apps and value Qualcomm’s established software ecosystem. Buy the Realme 7i (Global) if you prefer a more powerful processor for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the added convenience of 5W reverse wired charging, making it a useful power bank in a pinch.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme 7i’s Helio G85 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G85 is a capable processor, it's important to note that both phones are budget devices. Expect some thermal throttling during extended gaming, but the Realme 7i’s chipset is generally well-managed and shouldn't reach critically high temperatures. Optimizing game settings can help mitigate overheating.
❓ Is the 5W reverse charging on the Realme 7i useful for charging other devices?
The 5W reverse charging is primarily useful for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. It won't rapidly charge a smartphone, but it provides a convenient emergency power source when you're away from a wall outlet.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 460 in the Oppo A33 handle multitasking compared to the Helio G85?
The Snapdragon 460 is adequate for basic multitasking, but the Helio G85 in the Realme 7i offers a noticeably smoother experience when switching between multiple apps or running demanding applications simultaneously. The Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores provide a significant performance boost in these scenarios.
