Realme 7 vs Oppo A74: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Realme 7 and Oppo A74 represent compelling options in the competitive budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Realme 7 prioritizes raw processing power with its Helio G95 chipset, while the Oppo A74 leans towards efficiency with the Snapdragon 662. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and faster charging, the Realme 7 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G95 chipset offers a noticeable performance edge, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Oppo A74 provides a more efficient processor and a potentially smoother everyday experience for less demanding tasks.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 7 Oppo A74
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2020, October 07. Released 2020, October 212021, April 05
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, May 10
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions162.3 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.37 in)160.3 x 73.8 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.91 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196.5 g (6.95 oz)175 g (6.17 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ)AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MC4Adreno 610
OSAndroid 10, Realme UIAndroid 11, ColorOS 11.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama-
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30/120fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, 50% in 26 min, 100% in 65 min33W wired, 54% in 30 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMist Blue, Mist WhitePrism Black, Midnight Blue
ModelsRMX2155CHP2219
PriceAbout 250 EURAbout 300 EUR

Realme 7

  • Faster charging with 30W support
  • More powerful processor (Helio G95) for gaming
  • Higher endurance rating suggests longer battery life

  • 12nm process may lead to more heat generation
  • Limited display specifications available

Oppo A74

  • More efficient processor (Snapdragon 662) for everyday tasks
  • 11nm process for potentially better thermal management
  • Slightly faster initial charging percentage (54% in 30 mins)

  • Less powerful processor for demanding games
  • Limited display specifications available

Display Comparison

Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond the Realme 7's contrast ratio of 1474:1. Given their price points, we can assume both utilize IPS LCD panels. The Realme 7's contrast ratio suggests a reasonably vibrant display, but without knowing the Oppo A74's specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. Users should expect similar viewing angles and color reproduction, but the Realme 7 may offer slightly deeper blacks.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or megapixel count. Given the market segment, we can anticipate similar camera performance in good lighting conditions. However, the Realme 7’s chipset likely provides more processing power for image enhancement and video stabilization. Without further information, it’s difficult to assess low-light performance or the quality of video recording. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 7’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm) features an octa-core configuration with two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture prioritizes peak performance, making it better suited for gaming. Conversely, the Oppo A74 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), with a configuration of four Kryo 260 Gold cores at 2.0GHz and four Kryo 260 Silver cores. The Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, is more focused on power efficiency. While the G95 offers higher theoretical performance, the 11nm process of the Snapdragon 662 may result in better sustained performance under prolonged load due to improved thermal management. The smaller node generally translates to less heat generation.

Battery Life

The Realme 7 boasts an endurance rating of 126 hours, suggesting solid battery life. Its 30W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving 50% charge in 26 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes. The Oppo A74, with 33W wired charging, reaches 54% in 30 minutes. While the Oppo A74’s charging wattage is slightly higher, the Realme 7’s faster initial charging speed and overall endurance rating indicate a more convenient charging experience. The lack of mAh specifications makes a direct comparison challenging, but the Realme 7’s endurance rating suggests a larger battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme 7 if you frequently play mobile games, value fast charging, and need a phone capable of handling demanding applications. Its Helio G95 chipset and 30W charging are geared towards power users. Buy the Oppo A74 if you prioritize battery efficiency, a smooth user experience for everyday tasks like browsing and social media, and prefer a more balanced approach to performance and power consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G95 in the Realme 7 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G95 is a capable processor, but its 12nm manufacturing process means it will generate more heat than the Oppo A74’s Snapdragon 662 (11nm). While the Realme 7 likely has thermal management features, prolonged gaming at maximum settings could lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. Expect slightly reduced frame rates after extended play.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 662 in the Oppo A74 powerful enough for popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 662 can run PUBG Mobile, but you may need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. It’s not designed for maximum settings or consistently high frame rates in demanding titles. The Oppo A74 is better suited for casual gaming and less graphically intensive games.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between the Realme 7 and Oppo A74?
The Realme 7’s 30W charging is noticeably faster, reaching 50% in 26 minutes compared to the Oppo A74’s 54% in 30 minutes. While the difference isn't massive, the Realme 7 also achieves a full charge in 65 minutes, suggesting a more efficient charging curve overall. This faster charging is a key advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery.