The Realme C11 and Infinix Smart 5 Pro represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, significant differences in their underlying hardware, particularly the chipset, dictate their performance characteristics and suitability for different users. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly smoother experience, the Realme C11 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G35, built on a more modern 12nm process and utilizing Cortex-A53 cores clocked higher than the Smart 5 Pro, provides a noticeable performance advantage despite both phones sharing 10W charging and similar price points.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 30. Released 2020, July 07 | 2021, November 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 8 MP |
| 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 | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Pepper Grey | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Models | RMX2185 | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 70 EUR |
Realme C11
- More powerful and efficient chipset (Helio G35)
- Modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A53)
- Potentially better thermal management
- Slightly better image processing
- 10W charging is slow
- Likely basic camera performance
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Extremely affordable
- Acceptable for basic communication
- 10W charging (same as C11)
- May have slightly larger battery (unconfirmed)
- Less powerful and efficient chipset (Unisoc SC9863A)
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A55, but lower clocks)
- Higher power consumption
- Potentially slower performance
Display Comparison
Neither Realme nor Infinix provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize LCD panels. The key difference lies in the underlying processing power to drive the display. The Realme C11’s Helio G35 has a more capable GPU, potentially leading to smoother scrolling and transitions, even if the panels themselves are similar. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are unlikely to excel in photography. Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but given the market segment, expect basic sensors. Focusing on the chipset, the Helio G35 in the Realme C11 has a slightly more capable image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to marginally better image processing and noise reduction. However, the overall image quality will be heavily dependent on the sensor size and lens aperture, which are currently unknown. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device should be considered marketing features rather than significant photographic tools.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C11’s Mediatek Helio G35 (12nm) features an octa-core CPU with 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This is a more modern architecture than the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm), which uses 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 12nm process node of the Helio G35 is significantly more efficient than the 28nm node of the Unisoc chip, resulting in better thermal management and potentially longer battery life under load. While both are octa-core, the Cortex-A53 cores in the C11 are clocked higher, offering a performance edge in CPU-intensive tasks. The Smart 5 Pro’s A55 cores are more efficient *per clock*, but the lower clock speeds and older process node limit overall performance.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Mediatek Helio G35 in the Realme C11 will likely translate to longer real-world battery life. The 28nm Unisoc SC9863A in the Infinix Smart 5 Pro will consume more power for the same tasks, reducing overall uptime. Expect both phones to last a full day with moderate usage, but the C11 will likely have more juice left at the end of the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C11 if you need a phone for everyday tasks like social media, messaging, and light web browsing, and value a slightly more responsive user experience. The Helio G35 offers a better balance of performance and efficiency. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if your primary concern is absolute affordability and you primarily use your phone for very basic communication – calls and texts – and minimal app usage. The Unisoc SC9863A prioritizes cost savings over performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart 5 Pro struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Unisoc SC9863A in the Smart 5 Pro is a very basic chipset. While it can run apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, you may experience noticeable lag and slowdowns, especially when multitasking or using the apps for extended periods. The Realme C11’s Helio G35 will provide a smoother experience with these apps.
❓ Is the Realme C11 suitable for playing mobile games?
The Realme C11 is not a gaming phone. The Helio G35 can handle very light gaming, but don't expect to play demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile at high settings. You'll likely need to reduce graphics settings significantly and still experience frame drops. The Smart 5 Pro is even less suited for gaming.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge both phones?
With both phones utilizing 10W charging, expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours from 0%. The actual time will vary depending on usage during charging and the charger used.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos on YouTube?
The Realme C11 will offer a slightly smoother video playback experience due to its more powerful GPU. While both phones likely have similar display resolutions, the Helio G35 can decode videos more efficiently, reducing stuttering and lag.
