The Realme C3 and Tecno Spark 5 Pro represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Realme C3 prioritizes processing power with its Helio G70, while the Tecno Spark 5 Pro focuses on providing a functional experience with the Helio A25. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C3 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Helio G70 chipset offers significantly better performance, making it more suitable for gaming and demanding applications. While the Tecno Spark 5 Pro is a viable option for basic tasks, the C3’s superior processing power justifies the potentially slight price difference.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| 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 13. Released 2020, July 13 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75 x 9 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.35 in) | 164.7 x 76.3 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | - |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, HIOS 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses |
| 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 | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| 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 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen Blue, Blazing Red | Ice Jadeite, Spark Orange, Seabed Blue, Cloud White |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Realme C3 (3 cameras)
- Significantly more powerful Helio G70 chipset
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking
- Potentially better camera image processing
- 10W charging is slow
- May be slightly more expensive than the Tecno Spark 5 Pro
Tecno Spark 5 pro
- Likely the most affordable option
- Adequate for basic tasks like calls and texts
- Potentially longer battery life with light usage
- Helio A25 chipset struggles with demanding apps
- Poor gaming performance
- Image quality likely inferior to the Realme C3
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but functionality. Without specific display specs, it's reasonable to assume similar resolutions and brightness levels. The Realme C3’s slightly higher processing power *could* translate to smoother animations, but this is dependent on software optimization.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature multiple rear cameras, but the quality will vary. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make precise comparisons. However, the Realme C3’s chipset likely offers better image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, resulting in sharper images and more accurate colors. The presence of three cameras on the C3 suggests a more versatile setup, potentially including an ultrawide or depth sensor, while the Spark 5 Pro’s camera configuration is unknown. It’s important to note that the common 2MP macro cameras found in this segment offer limited practical benefit.
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 and 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture prioritizes performance, offering a noticeable boost over the Tecno Spark 5 Pro’s Helio A25. The A25, also 12nm, uses a less powerful configuration of 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A75 cores in the G70 provide significantly better single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. This translates to a smoother user experience, especially when multitasking or running demanding apps. The G70 also has a more capable GPU, making it the better choice for mobile gaming.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature similar battery capacities, typical for this price range (around 5000mAh). However, the Realme C3’s more efficient Helio G70 chipset *could* translate to slightly better battery life under heavy use. Both phones support 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today’s standards. Expect approximately 2.5-3.5 hours for a full charge on both devices. The difference in charging speed will likely be negligible.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C3 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming, multitasking, and future software updates without significant slowdown. It’s ideal for users who prioritize performance and responsiveness. Buy the Tecno Spark 5 Pro if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and you’re looking for the absolute lowest price point. It’s best suited 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?
The Realme C3’s Helio G70 chipset is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, but you’ll likely need to use lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect playable performance at medium settings, but don’t anticipate a high-end gaming experience.
❓ Is the Tecno Spark 5 Pro suitable for someone who primarily uses WhatsApp and Facebook?
Yes, the Tecno Spark 5 Pro is perfectly adequate for basic social media use like WhatsApp and Facebook. The Helio A25 chipset can handle these apps without issue, although multitasking with several apps open simultaneously may result in some slowdown.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge both phones?
With their 10W charging capabilities, both the Realme C3 and Tecno Spark 5 Pro will take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours to charge from 0% to 100%. This is a relatively slow charging speed compared to modern smartphones.
