The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme C17 and Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC represent compelling options for users prioritizing value. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and charging technology. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best overall package.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a balance of performance and fast charging, the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC emerges as the stronger contender. Its Helio G95 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Snapdragon 460 in the Realme C17, and the 33W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the C17 remains a viable option for those prioritizing efficiency and a lower price point.
| 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, 41, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 22 | 2021, May 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 172.8 x 78.3 x 7.8 mm (6.80 x 3.08 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | - |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.95 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G76 MC4 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.09" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue, Lake Green | Black, Purple, Nordic Secret |
| Models | RMX2101 | X695C |
| Price | About 160 EUR | - |
Realme C17
- Potentially better battery efficiency due to the Snapdragon 460.
- Likely more affordable price point.
- Clean and simple software experience (typical of Realme).
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Helio G95.
- Slower charging speeds (18W).
- Less capable camera system (likely).
Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC
- Superior performance with the MediaTek Helio G95.
- Much faster 33W charging.
- NFC support for contactless payments and features.
- Potentially lower battery life due to the more powerful chipset.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Realme C17.
- Infinix's UI can be more cluttered than Realme's.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a flagship-level display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing, the focus here is on the underlying processing power impacting UI smoothness. The Realme C17's Snapdragon 460 will likely struggle to consistently deliver a 60Hz experience with demanding UI elements, whereas the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC's Helio G95 has more headroom. The absence of high refresh rate panels on both devices suggests a focus on battery life over visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC likely features a more capable primary sensor. The 'Pro' designation often indicates a larger sensor and more advanced image processing. While both phones likely include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, the Helio G95’s image signal processor (ISP) will likely offer faster processing and potentially better low-light performance. The inclusion of NFC in the Infinix model suggests a slightly more feature-rich overall package, potentially extending to camera features.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm) is architecturally superior to the Realme C17’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm). The G95 features two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, offering significantly better single-core and multi-core performance than the Snapdragon 460’s four Kryo 240 cores at 1.8 GHz and four at 1.6 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Infinix. The 12nm process node of the G95, while not as efficient as newer nodes, is offset by its more powerful core configuration. The Snapdragon 460 prioritizes efficiency, making it suitable for less demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Realme C17 offers 18W wired charging, while the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC steps up to 33W. This is a substantial difference in charging speed. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the 33W charging on the Infinix will significantly reduce the time spent tethered to a wall outlet. A full charge on the Infinix is likely to be 60-80% faster than on the Realme. This is a critical advantage for users who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day and need quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C17 if you need a highly efficient device for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and if minimizing cost is your primary concern. Buy the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC if you prioritize gaming, multimedia consumption, and faster charging speeds, and are willing to spend slightly more for a more responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G95 in the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G95 is a capable gaming chip, sustained high loads can generate heat. However, Infinix typically implements thermal management solutions to mitigate throttling. Expect some performance reduction after extended gaming, but it should remain playable. The Snapdragon 460 in the Realme C17 will likely throttle sooner due to its lower performance ceiling.
❓ Is the NFC functionality on the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC compatible with Google Pay and other mobile payment services?
Yes, the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC supports NFC and is generally compatible with popular mobile payment services like Google Pay, provided the service is available in your region and your bank supports it. Ensure your phone is updated to the latest software for optimal compatibility.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC compared to the 18W charging on the Realme C17?
The 33W charging on the Infinix Note 10 Pro NFC can potentially charge the device from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-90 minutes, depending on battery capacity. The 18W charging on the Realme C17 will likely take over 2 hours to achieve a full charge. This represents a significant time saving for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
