The Realme C3 and Oppo A12s represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they diverge significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the chipset choices impact real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and occasional gaming, the Realme C3 is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio G70 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Oppo A12s’ Helio P35, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications. However, the A12s remains a viable option for basic use cases.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 19. Released 2020, February 20 | 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 | 164.4 x 75 x 9 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.35 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4230 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen Blue, Blazing Red | Deep Blue, Flowing Silver |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.28 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.49 W/kg (head) |
Realme C3 (3 cameras)
- Significantly better performance with the Helio G70 chipset.
- More responsive user experience for multitasking and gaming.
- Potentially better camera image processing due to the more capable ISP.
- May experience slightly faster battery drain under heavy use.
- 10W charging is relatively slow compared to newer standards.
Oppo A12s
- Potentially slightly longer battery life under extremely light usage.
- Affordable price point.
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Noticeably slower performance compared to the Realme C3.
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding applications.
- Less capable camera system.
Display Comparison
Neither Realme nor Oppo provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. Given the price bracket, both likely utilize LCD panels. The focus here is on internal performance, as display quality is unlikely to be a differentiating factor. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical for this segment. Color accuracy is likely to be standard, prioritizing power efficiency over color fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature triple camera setups, but the specifics are crucial. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a significant role. The Helio G70 in the Realme C3 generally offers a more capable ISP, leading to better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The Oppo A12s’ Helio P35 ISP is less sophisticated. The presence of a dedicated camera chip in the C3, even if not explicitly stated, is likely, further enhancing image quality. The marketing around 3 cameras is often misleading; the quality of the main sensor is paramount, and the C3's chipset suggests a better overall camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C3’s Mediatek Helio G70, built on a 12nm process, features an octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture prioritizes performance with the A75 cores providing a significant boost over the Oppo A12s’ Helio P35. The P35 utilizes 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the P35 has a higher clock speed on its primary cores, the older A53 architecture and lack of performance-focused cores result in lower overall performance. The G70’s architecture translates to smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The Realme C3 will handle graphically intensive games with fewer stutters.
Battery Life
Both phones offer 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds (approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge). Battery capacity isn’t specified, but typical capacities for this segment are around 5000mAh. The Helio G70 in the Realme C3, while more powerful, is also relatively efficient. However, the less demanding Helio P35 in the Oppo A12s may offer slightly better battery life under very light usage. In real-world scenarios, the difference will likely be minimal, and the C3’s superior performance will be more noticeable than any marginal battery life gains on the A12s.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C3 if you need a phone capable of handling more than just basic tasks – social media, light gaming, and multitasking will be smoother. It’s ideal for students or users who want a responsive experience without breaking the bank. Buy the Oppo A12s if your primary needs are simple communication (calls, texts, WhatsApp) and very light app usage. It’s a good fit for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C3 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Realme C3, with its Helio G70 chipset, can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action. The Oppo A12s will struggle significantly with these titles.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed on either phone a major drawback?
10W charging is relatively slow by today’s standards, taking around 2-3 hours for a full charge. However, given the price point of these devices, it’s a common compromise. Neither phone supports fast charging technologies. Consider a power bank if frequent charging is a concern.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically come with, and can it be expanded?
Both the Realme C3 and Oppo A12s typically come with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. Crucially, both devices support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 256GB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses WhatsApp and makes calls?
For basic communication, the Oppo A12s is sufficient. Its Helio P35 chipset can handle WhatsApp and calls without issue. However, the Realme C3 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience even for these basic tasks, and offer more headroom for future app usage.
