The Oppo A73 and Realme 7i represent a sweet spot in the smartphone market – affordable devices aiming to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank. Both phones target users prioritizing value, but they take different approaches to achieving it, primarily through chipset selection and charging technology. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Oppo A73 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, offers a more refined and efficient experience than the Realme 7i’s 12nm Helio G85, translating to smoother multitasking and potentially better long-term performance. While the Realme 7i boasts faster charging, the A73’s overall balance is more compelling.
| 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, 20, 28, 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, October 05. Released 2020, November 20 | 2020, December 22. Released 2020, December 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.8 x 72.9 x 7.5 mm (6.29 x 2.87 x 0.30 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 | 163 g (5.75 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ), 560 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (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 | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 (single lane) | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 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, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 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 | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 53 min | 18W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4015 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue, Classic Silver | Glory Silver, Victory Blue |
| Models | CPH2099 | - |
| Price | - | About 190 EUR |
Oppo A73
- More efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Smoother multitasking experience
- Potentially better long-term performance
- Slower charging speed compared to Realme 7i
- Lacks reverse charging functionality
Realme 7i (Global)
- Faster 18W charging with 5W reverse charging
- Helio G85 marketed for gaming
- Potentially lower price point
- Less efficient Helio G85 chipset
- Potential for thermal throttling during gaming
- May exhibit more noticeable lag during heavy multitasking
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature similar LCD panels, though specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on practicality. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price segment. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device suggests a focus on battery life over a fluid visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera accompanied by auxiliary lenses (often 2MP macro/depth sensors of limited utility). The image processing style will likely differ – Oppo typically aims for vibrant, social media-ready images, while Realme often leans towards a more natural look. The A73’s Snapdragon ISP may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, but the real-world difference will be minimal without knowing the primary sensor specifications.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A73’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) utilizes a Kryo CPU architecture, offering a balance of performance and efficiency. Its octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) is designed for responsive multitasking. The Realme 7i’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm) employs a different approach with its Cortex-A75 and A55 cores (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). While the G85 is marketed for gaming, the larger 12nm process generally results in higher power consumption and potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the A73’s 11nm Snapdragon. The Snapdragon 662’s architecture is likely to provide a more consistent experience during prolonged use.
Battery Life
The Realme 7i’s 18W charging is a clear advantage over the Oppo A73’s 30W charging. While the A73 can reach 50% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 53 minutes, the 7i’s 18W charging will take longer to fully replenish. The inclusion of 5W reverse wired charging on the Realme 7i is a niche feature, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices, a convenience the A73 lacks. However, the Snapdragon 662’s efficiency may offset the Realme 7i’s faster charging for users with moderate usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A73 if you prioritize consistent performance, efficient power management, and a smoother user experience for everyday tasks. It’s ideal for users who value reliability and don’t necessarily need the absolute fastest charging speeds. Buy the Realme 7i (Global) if you are a power user who frequently drains their battery and values the convenience of 18W charging and 5W reverse charging, and are willing to accept potentially more noticeable thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Realme 7i overheat during prolonged gaming sessions like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Helio G85 is capable of handling gaming, but its 12nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process. This means the Realme 7i is more likely to experience thermal throttling – a reduction in performance to prevent overheating – during extended gaming sessions. While playable, expect potential frame drops and a warmer device.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Oppo A73 significantly faster in real-world use compared to the 18W charging on the Realme 7i?
While the Oppo A73 advertises 30W charging, the actual difference in charging time isn't massive. The A73 reaches 100% in 53 minutes, while the Realme 7i will take longer. The convenience of faster initial charging (50% in 30 mins) is a benefit, but the overall time difference isn't dramatic for most users.
❓ Does either phone support VoLTE or VoWiFi for improved call quality?
Both the Oppo A73 and Realme 7i (Global) are expected to support VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), but compatibility depends on your carrier. It's crucial to check with your mobile provider to ensure these features are supported on their network.
