The Realme C2 2020 and Oppo A12s represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, a key difference lies under the hood: the Oppo A12s boasts the slightly more powerful Mediatek Helio P35 chipset, while the Realme C2 relies on the Helio P22. This comparison will dissect these differences and determine which phone provides the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly smoother multitasking and app loading, the Oppo A12s is the better choice. Its Helio P35 chipset, with its faster core clock speeds, offers a noticeable performance edge over the Realme C2's Helio P22. However, the Realme C2 remains a viable option for basic usage and those on a very tight budget.
| 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, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2020, July 14. Released 2020, July 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154.3 x 73.7 x 8.5 mm (6.07 x 2.90 x 0.33 in) | 155.9 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm (6.14 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 166 g (5.86 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6 Lite | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4230 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Diamond Black, Diamond Blue | Deep Blue, Flowing Silver |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.28 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.49 W/kg (head) |
Realme C2 2020
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Likely similar battery capacity to Oppo A12s
- Slower processor (Helio P22)
- Less responsive user experience
- Likely slower charging speeds
Oppo A12s
- Faster processor (Helio P35)
- More responsive multitasking
- 10W charging for quicker top-ups
- May be slightly more expensive
- Battery life may be marginally shorter under heavy load
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to deliver a premium display experience. Both likely utilize LCD panels, and detailed specifications like brightness and color accuracy are unavailable. The focus here is on the chipset's ability to drive the UI smoothly, rather than display quality. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of this price segment. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies is standard for these phones.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on basic camera setups. Detailed sensor information is missing, but it's safe to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially depth or macro sensors of limited resolution. Image processing will likely prioritize basic scene optimization rather than advanced computational photography. The P35’s slightly better ISP *could* result in marginally improved image quality in favorable lighting conditions, but the difference will be minimal. Focusing on the primary sensor's megapixel count (if available) is more important than the presence of low-resolution auxiliary lenses.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C2 2020’s Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 features an octa-core CPU clocked at 2.0 GHz, utilizing eight Cortex-A53 cores. The Oppo A12s, however, employs the Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35, which also has an octa-core CPU, but with a more complex configuration: four cores running at 2.35 GHz and four at 1.8 GHz. This 'big.LITTLE' architecture allows the P35 to dynamically allocate tasks to faster cores when needed, resulting in improved responsiveness during demanding operations. While both are 12nm chips, the higher clock speeds of the P35 translate to a tangible performance advantage in app launch times and multitasking. The GPU in the P35 is also slightly more capable, offering a modest boost in gaming performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this segment. The Oppo A12s benefits from 10W wired charging, which, while not fast by modern standards, offers a quicker top-up compared to the likely 5W or slower charging on the Realme C2. This means the A12s will spend less time tethered to a charger, a significant convenience for many users. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the more efficient P35 chipset in the A12s could contribute to slightly longer runtimes.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C2 2020 if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media browsing, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Oppo A12s if you prefer a more responsive experience for everyday tasks, occasionally play casual games, and appreciate the convenience of 10W charging for slightly faster top-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A12s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio P35 in the Oppo A12s can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (low or medium) and frame rates to maintain a playable experience. The Realme C2 2020 will struggle more with these titles, requiring even lower settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P22 and Helio P35 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Oppo A12s with the Helio P35 will feel snappier when opening apps, switching between tasks, and browsing the web. The Realme C2 2020 may exhibit slight delays and stutters during these operations, especially with multiple apps open.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging beyond 10W?
Neither phone supports fast charging beyond 10W. Both are entry-level devices and prioritize affordability over advanced charging technologies. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours with the included charger.
❓ Which phone is better for watching videos and streaming content?
While both phones can handle video playback, the slightly smoother performance of the Oppo A12s will provide a more enjoyable viewing experience, especially with higher-resolution content. However, neither device boasts a particularly high-quality display.
