The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo A96 and Realme C55 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their key aspects to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C55 edges out the Oppo A96 thanks to its brighter display and impressive battery life. While the Oppo A96 boasts a slightly more powerful chipset, the Realme C55's overall package, especially its screen, provides a better user experience for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 16 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 16 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| 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 HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD, 50% in 26 min
Reverse wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Sunset Blue | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | CPH2333 | RMX3710 |
| Price | About 560 EUR | ₹ 8,399 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 257263 (v9)
GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6)
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A96
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- Reverse wired charging
- Sleek design
- Less bright display
- Potentially less impressive battery life
- Camera performance may be average
Realme C55
- Brighter display
- Exceptional battery life
- Stylish design
- Competitive price
- Slightly less powerful chipset
- Camera performance may be average
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 takes the display crown. Its measured 659 nits peak brightness significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the Oppo A96, making it easier to view in direct sunlight. Both offer a 1264:1 contrast ratio, but the Realme C55's brightness provides a more impactful visual experience. Both likely use similar IPS LCD panels with Full HD+ resolution.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely comparable. Both phones feature a primary camera setup with a main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Expect decent results in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance may be a weakness for both.
Performance
The Oppo A96's Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, generally offers a slight performance advantage over the Realme C55's Helio G88 (12nm). This translates to marginally faster app loading and potentially smoother gameplay in demanding titles. However, the difference isn't massive and likely won't be noticeable for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
The Realme C55 shines in battery life. Its endurance rating of 123h is exceptional, suggesting it can easily last two days on a single charge. The Oppo A96 also offers good battery life, but it won't match the Realme C55's longevity. Both support 33W fast charging, with the Oppo A96 charging slightly faster (26 min to 50% vs 29 min).
Buying Guide
The Oppo A96 is ideal for users prioritizing a smoother gaming experience and slightly faster app loading times. The Realme C55 is a better choice for those who value a vibrant display, exceptional battery endurance, and a more visually appealing design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Oppo A96 has a slightly more powerful chipset, making it marginally better for demanding games. However, both phones are primarily designed for casual gaming.
❓ How long will the battery last on each phone?
The Realme C55 offers significantly better battery life, potentially lasting up to two days on a single charge. The Oppo A96 provides good battery life, but not as impressive as the Realme C55.