The Realme C20 and Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport represent the absolute entry point into smartphone ownership. Both devices target first-time buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device, but subtle differences in their core specifications can significantly impact the user experience. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing basic functionality and slightly better performance, the Realme C20 emerges as the winner. Its Helio G35 chipset, with higher CPU clock speeds, offers a more responsive experience for everyday tasks, despite both phones sharing similar battery and charging capabilities.
| 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, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 19 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 19 | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | Splash-resistant design | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| 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 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cool Gray, Cool Blue | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | RMX3063, RMX3061 | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.98 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) | - |
Realme C20
- Slightly faster processor (Helio G35)
- Potentially smoother multitasking
- Competitive pricing
- Basic display quality
- Limited camera capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- Xiaomi brand recognition
- Potentially wider availability
- Competitive pricing
- Slower processor (Helio G25)
- Marginally less responsive performance
Display Comparison
Neither the Realme C20 nor the Redmi 9A Sport boast impressive displays. Both are expected to feature basic LCD panels with 720p+ resolution, typical of this price segment. Detailed display specs like brightness (nits) and color gamut coverage are unavailable, but users should anticipate limited outdoor visibility and muted colors. The focus here is on functionality over fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices is expected to be basic. Details regarding sensor size and aperture are unavailable, but both likely feature a primary camera paired with a depth sensor. The Redmi 9A Sport often includes a 2MP macro camera, which, given its low resolution, offers limited practical benefit. Image processing will be minimal, resulting in photos that are acceptable in good lighting conditions but suffer in low light. Users should not expect flagship-level image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C20 utilizes the Mediatek Helio G35, featuring an octa-core CPU clocked up to 2.3 GHz. The Redmi 9A Sport employs the Helio G25, with a slightly slower octa-core CPU peaking at 2.0 GHz. While both utilize the same Cortex-A53 architecture, the higher clock speeds of the G35 translate to a measurable performance advantage in CPU-bound tasks. This means faster app launches and smoother scrolling. However, both chips are entry-level and will struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking. The 12nm process node is shared, suggesting similar thermal efficiency.
Battery Life
Both the Realme C20 and Redmi 9A Sport are equipped with 10W wired charging. While not fast by modern standards, this is sufficient for their battery capacities (typically around 5000mAh, though exact figures vary by region). Expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5-3 hours. The similar battery size and charging wattage mean real-world battery life will be comparable, offering a full day of light to moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C20 if you need a phone that feels a bit snappier for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging. Its slightly more powerful processor will translate to quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport if you prioritize brand familiarity within the Xiaomi ecosystem or find it at a significantly lower price point; the performance difference is marginal for extremely light usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C20 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G35 is a gaming-focused chip, PUBG Mobile will likely only be playable on the lowest settings with significant frame rate drops. The phone's limited RAM and processing power are significant constraints for demanding games.
❓ Does the Redmi 9A Sport support VoWiFi (WiFi Calling)?
VoWiFi support varies by carrier and region. It's unlikely to be a standard feature on either device, but checking with your mobile carrier is recommended to confirm compatibility.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either the Realme C20 or Redmi 9A Sport?
Both devices typically include a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing for storage expansion up to 256GB. This is crucial given the limited internal storage options often found in this price range.
