The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme 3i and the Samsung Galaxy A10s. But which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme 3i edges out the Galaxy A10s thanks to its significantly more powerful Helio P60 chipset, resulting in smoother performance. While the A10s offers Samsung's brand recognition and potentially better software support, the 3i provides a more responsive user experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28 - SM-A107M/DS |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2019, August 12. Released 2019, August 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.1 x 75.6 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 156.9 x 75.8 x 7.8 mm (6.18 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 4230 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Diamond Blue, Diamond Red, Diamond Black | Blue, Green, Red, Black |
| Models | RMX1827 | SM-A107F, SM-A107M |
| Price | About 8000 INR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.25 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
Realme 3i
- Superior Performance (Helio P60)
- Good Battery Life
- Decent Camera
- Sleek Design
- Slow Charging
- Average Low-Light Camera Performance
- Plastic Build
Samsung Galaxy A10s
- Samsung Brand Recognition
- Slightly Better Image Processing
- Ultra-Wide Camera
- Potentially Longer Software Support
- Weaker Performance (Helio P22)
- Slow Charging
- Less Responsive UI
- Plastic Build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature 6.2-inch HD+ displays, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for everyday use. The Realme 3i's display might have slightly better color accuracy, but the difference is minimal. Neither phone excels in this area, but both are acceptable for the price point.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A10s generally offers slightly better image quality in well-lit conditions, thanks to Samsung's image processing. The Realme 3i's camera is decent but can struggle with dynamic range and low-light performance. Both phones feature a rear triple camera setup (13MP main + 2MP depth sensor + 2MP macro on the 3i, 13MP main + 5MP ultra-wide + 2MP depth sensor on the A10s).
Performance
This is where the Realme 3i truly shines. The Helio P60 chipset is noticeably faster and more efficient than the Helio P22 in the Galaxy A10s. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better gaming experience on the Realme 3i. The A10s can handle basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a substantial 4000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are similar, both using 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today's standards.
Buying Guide
The Realme 3i is ideal for users prioritizing performance and gaming on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy A10s is a good choice for those who value Samsung's brand, a slightly better camera (in some conditions), and potentially longer software update support, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme 3i is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A10s get more software updates?
Generally, Samsung offers longer software support than Realme, but this can vary.
❓ Which phone has a better camera for selfies?
Both have 8MP front cameras, performance is comparable.
❓ Are the displays of both phones similar?
Yes, both have 6.2-inch HD+ displays, suitable for everyday use.
