The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and Realme consistently delivers compelling options. The Realme C25Y and Narzo 50A Prime are two such contenders, offering affordability and a decent feature set. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme Narzo 50A Prime edges out the C25Y due to its slightly improved chipset and often more competitive pricing. Both offer similar core experiences, but the Narzo 50A Prime provides a bit more performance for your money, making it the slightly better overall choice for most users.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 16 | 2022, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Available. Released 2022, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI R | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray | Black, Blue |
| Models | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 | RMX3516, RMX3517 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Realme C25Y
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Stylish design (often with gradient finishes)
- Modest performance
- Average camera quality
- Limited features compared to competitors
Realme Narzo 50A Prime
- Slightly better performance than C25Y
- Competitive pricing
- Good battery life
- Clean Realme UI
- Average camera quality
- HD+ display resolution
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones typically feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. While the panel technology might vary slightly (likely IPS LCD for both), expect similar viewing experiences – adequate for everyday use but not exceptional. Color accuracy and brightness are typical for this price range.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar, with a primary 50MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens on both devices. The front-facing camera is typically 8MP. Image quality is decent in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The Narzo 50A Prime might have slightly better image processing algorithms.
Performance
While both utilize a Unisoc chipset and CPU configuration (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), the Narzo 50A Prime uses the Unisoc Tiger T612, which generally offers a slight performance advantage over the T610 in the C25Y. This translates to marginally smoother multitasking and slightly better gaming performance on the Narzo 50A Prime. However, neither phone is a powerhouse.
Battery Life
Both phones typically pack a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. Charging is handled via 18W wired charging on both, which is standard for this price range. Expect around 2-3 hours to fully charge from 0%.
Buying Guide
The Realme C25Y is a good choice for users prioritizing a reliable and affordable device for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The Realme Narzo 50A Prime is better suited for those who want a bit more performance for multitasking, gaming, and slightly more demanding apps, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme C25Y good for gaming?
The Realme C25Y can handle basic games, but don't expect high frame rates or smooth performance in demanding titles. The Narzo 50A Prime offers a slightly better gaming experience.
❓ Which Realme phone has better software support?
Both phones run Realme UI, and Realme generally provides decent software updates. However, the Narzo series sometimes receives updates slightly faster.
