The Realme 5 and Nokia 7.2 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The Realme 5 prioritizes endurance and a brighter display, while the Nokia 7.2 focuses on a slightly more refined chipset and a more premium aesthetic. This comparison will dissect their key specifications to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and screen visibility, the Realme 5 emerges as the stronger choice. Its significantly higher endurance rating (144h vs 69h) and brighter display (485 nits vs 585 nits) offer a more practical daily experience, outweighing the Nokia 7.2's marginally faster processor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps or LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - IN |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 20. Released 2019, August | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) | 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Zeiss optics, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (excl. India) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 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 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Purple, Crystal Blue | Cyan Green, Charcoal, Ice |
| Models | RMX1911, RMX1919, RMX1927 | TA-1193, TA-1178, TA-1196, TA-1181 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 144h
|
Endurance rating 69h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1406:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1342:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 89dB
|
-29.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 139516 (v7)
GeekBench: 5707 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 139495 (v7), 164484 (v8)
GeekBench: 5440 (v4.4), 1398 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 5
- Exceptional battery life (144h endurance)
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- More power-efficient chipset (Snapdragon 665)
- Potentially less refined software experience
- Camera details are unknown
Nokia 7.2
- Slightly faster CPU clock speed
- Potentially cleaner Android experience
- More premium aesthetic (assumed based on brand positioning)
- Significantly shorter battery life (69h endurance)
- Lower display brightness
- Less power-efficient chipset (Snapdragon 660)
Display Comparison
The Realme 5 boasts a brighter display, reaching 485 nits compared to the Nokia 7.2’s 585 nits. While the Nokia 7.2 has a higher peak brightness, the Realme 5’s 1406:1 contrast ratio provides richer blacks and a more vibrant image. Both displays feature a nominal contrast ratio, but the Realme 5’s higher value translates to a more visually engaging experience. Neither device specifies panel technology, suggesting both likely utilize IPS LCDs, but the Realme 5’s brightness advantage is noticeable in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, lacking specific details in the provided data. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both rely on similar mid-range camera modules. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department, focusing instead on providing adequate image capture capabilities for casual users. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on both devices is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit.
Performance
Both devices utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon 6-series chipsets, but the Realme 5 features the Snapdragon 665 (11nm) while the Nokia 7.2 uses the older Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The 11nm process node of the SDM665 offers improved power efficiency, contributing to the Realme 5’s superior battery life. The Nokia 7.2’s CPU has a slightly higher peak clock speed (2.2 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), but this difference is unlikely to be significant in real-world usage. Both phones share the same Kryo 260 Gold and Silver core configuration, meaning the performance gap will be minimal for most tasks.
Battery Life
The Realme 5’s endurance rating of 144 hours is a significant advantage over the Nokia 7.2’s 69 hours. This translates to nearly two and a half times the usage time on a single charge. Both phones support 10W wired charging, meaning charging speeds will be comparable. The Realme 5’s larger battery capacity (implied by the endurance rating) and the more efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset combine to deliver a substantially longer-lasting experience, making it ideal for users who frequently travel or have limited access to power outlets.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 5 if you need exceptional battery life for all-day use, frequently consume media outdoors, or prioritize value for money. Its endurance rating is a standout feature. Buy the Nokia 7.2 if you prefer a slightly more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and are willing to compromise on battery life and screen brightness. The Nokia 7.2 also appeals to users who prefer a cleaner Android experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 660 in the Nokia 7.2 struggle with demanding apps or multitasking?
While the Snapdragon 660 is a capable chipset, the Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5 benefits from a more efficient 11nm process. For basic multitasking and everyday apps, the Nokia 7.2 will perform adequately. However, users who frequently run resource-intensive applications or engage in heavy multitasking may experience occasional slowdowns.
❓ How much faster is the Realme 5 to charge compared to the Nokia 7.2, given they both have 10W charging?
Despite both phones supporting 10W charging, the Realme 5 will likely reach full charge slightly faster due to its more efficient power management and potentially larger battery capacity. However, the difference won't be dramatic; expect similar 0-100% charge times of around 2.5-3 hours for both devices.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the Realme 5 and Nokia 7.2 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 160 nit difference in peak brightness (485 vs 585) is noticeable, especially when using the phone outdoors in direct sunlight. The Realme 5’s brighter display will remain more legible in these conditions, while the Nokia 7.2’s screen may appear washed out.
