The Oppo A53 and Realme 7i represent a sweet spot in the smartphone market – affordable devices aiming to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank. Both target the entry-level user, but they diverge in their core components, specifically the chipset. This comparison will dissect the differences between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 and the MediaTek Helio G85, and determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 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, built on a 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance edge over the Oppo A53’s Snapdragon 460, particularly in gaming and multitasking, 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, 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, August 20. Released 2020, August 25 | 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 (~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 | 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, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 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 | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 | FM radio | 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 | Fairy White, Electric Black, Fancy Blue | Glory Silver, Victory Blue |
| Models | CPH2127, CPH2131 | - |
| Price | £ 158.16 / € 169.99 | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
Oppo A53
- Established Brand Reputation
- Reliable for Basic Tasks
- 18W Fast Charging
- Less Powerful Processor
- Limited Gaming Performance
- No Reverse Charging
Realme 7i (Global)
- More Powerful Helio G85 Chipset
- 5W Reverse Wired Charging
- Better Gaming Performance
- Less Brand Recognition (compared to Oppo)
- 12nm Process (potentially slightly less efficient)
- Software bloatware (typical of Realme)
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 GPU capable of driving higher refresh rates, suggesting potential for smoother visuals, even if the panels themselves are 60Hz. The Oppo A53’s Snapdragon 460, while adequate, is less capable in this regard. Bezels are expected to be similar on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera around 13MP. The Realme 7i’s Helio G85 includes an ISP capable of more advanced image processing, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. The Oppo A53’s Snapdragon 460 ISP is less sophisticated. The presence of a 5W reverse charging capability on the Realme 7i suggests a slightly larger battery capacity, which could also contribute to better image processing power. The inclusion of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices is largely marketing fluff and shouldn’t heavily influence purchasing decisions.
Performance
The Realme 7i’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) is the clear winner in the performance category. Its octa-core configuration, featuring two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, provides a significant boost in single-core performance compared to the Oppo A53’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm). While the Snapdragon 460 utilizes eight Kryo 240 cores, their lower clock speeds (1.8 GHz and 1.6 GHz) result in slower processing. The 12nm process of the Helio G85, while larger than the Snapdragon’s 11nm, doesn’t necessarily translate to worse efficiency; the architectural differences favor the G85 in sustained performance scenarios. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Realme 7i.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A53 and Realme 7i support 18W wired charging, offering similar charging speeds – expect around 2 hours for a full charge. The Realme 7i’s inclusion of 5W reverse wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing it to act as a power bank for accessories like earbuds or smartwatches. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Realme 7i’s more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery (due to reverse charging support) likely translate to slightly longer real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A53 if you prioritize a brand with a long-standing reputation and are looking for a reliable, basic smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Realme 7i (Global) if you prefer a more powerful processor for gaming and multitasking, and value 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 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Helio G85 is specifically designed for gaming. While you won’t achieve ultra settings, PUBG Mobile should be playable at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The Snapdragon 460 in the Oppo A53 will struggle with consistent performance in demanding titles.
❓ How useful is the 5W reverse charging on the Realme 7i in real-world scenarios?
The 5W reverse charging is incredibly convenient for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds, smartwatches, or even a friend’s phone in a pinch. It’s not a replacement for a dedicated power bank, but it’s a valuable feature to have, especially when traveling.
❓ Does the Oppo A53 have a noticeable performance lag when switching between apps?
The Snapdragon 460 is a capable processor for basic tasks, but it can exhibit noticeable lag when multitasking or switching between several apps simultaneously. The Realme 7i’s Helio G85 handles multitasking much more efficiently.
❓ Are there significant differences in software experience between Oppo’s ColorOS and Realme UI?
Both ColorOS and Realme UI are based on Android, but Realme UI generally offers a cleaner, less cluttered experience with fewer pre-installed apps. ColorOS is known for its extensive customization options, but also includes more bloatware.
