The Realme C15 and Infinix Hot 10i represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features and acceptable performance without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing smoother multitasking and a more responsive gaming experience, the Infinix Hot 10i is the clear winner. Its Helio G70 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Realme C15’s Helio G35. While both offer 18W charging, the Hot 10i’s superior processing power makes it the better choice for demanding tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 28. Released 2020, July 28 | 2021, May 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.39 in) | 164.3 x 76 x 9.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.2% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V Helio G70 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 11, XOS 7.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP B/W, f/2.4
2 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Unspecified |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | Yes |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Marine Blue, Seagull Silver | Black, Purple, Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Models | RMX2180 | X659B, PR652B, X658E, PR652C, X658B, X659 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Realme C15
- Potentially longer battery life under light use
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Affordable price point
- Noticeably slower performance
- Less responsive user experience
- Limited gaming capabilities
Infinix Hot 10i
- Superior performance with Helio G70
- Smoother multitasking and gaming
- More responsive user interface
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life under heavy use
- May be marginally more expensive
- Similar camera quality to Realme C15
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here is on functionality rather than fidelity. Without specific display specs, it's reasonable to assume similar resolutions and brightness levels. The real difference lies elsewhere.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely similar, relying heavily on software processing. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and several lower-resolution sensors for depth and macro photography. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G70 of the Infinix Hot 10i *could* lead to slightly better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The 2MP macro cameras on both devices are unlikely to deliver significant detail and should be considered a marketing feature rather than a practical tool.
Performance
The core distinction between these phones is the chipset. The Infinix Hot 10i’s Mediatek Helio G70 is a significant step up from the Realme C15’s Helio G35. The G70 features a dual-core Cortex-A75 setup (2x2.0 GHz) alongside six Cortex-A55 cores (6x1.7 GHz), offering superior single-core and multi-core performance compared to the C15’s quad-core Cortex-A53 setup (4x2.3 GHz & 4x1.8 GHz). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother animations, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The G70’s architecture is more modern, leading to better efficiency and responsiveness. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G70 are key.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Realme C15, with its less powerful Helio G35, may exhibit slightly longer battery life under light usage. However, the Infinix Hot 10i’s more efficient chipset could offset this difference during moderate to heavy use. The G70’s ability to complete tasks faster means less time spent with the screen on, potentially conserving battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C15 if you need a reliable, basic smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and prioritize a potentially longer-lasting battery due to the less powerful processor. Buy the Infinix Hot 10i if you prefer a more fluid user experience, enjoy mobile gaming, and want a phone that can handle multitasking without significant slowdowns. The Hot 10i is the better choice for those who want a bit more 'oomph' from their budget device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Hot 10i struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G70 isn't a flagship gaming chip, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense firefights, but it's a significantly better gaming experience than the Realme C15's Helio G35.
❓ Is the 18W charging on either phone considered fast charging in 2024?
18W charging is relatively standard for phones in this price range. It won't provide incredibly rapid charging speeds, but you can expect a full charge in around 2-3 hours. It's sufficient for overnight charging or topping up throughout the day.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically come with, and is it expandable?
Both phones typically come with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, which can be limiting. Fortunately, both support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 512GB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps.
