The Realme C3 and Nokia 3.4 represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Realme C3 prioritizes raw processing power with its Helio G70 chipset, while the Nokia 3.4 aims for a cleaner software experience and potentially better efficiency with the Snapdragon 460. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the most value for the price-conscious consumer.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and demanding applications, the Realme C3 emerges as the stronger choice due to its more powerful Helio G70 chipset. However, the Nokia 3.4’s Snapdragon 460 offers a potentially smoother, more consistent experience for everyday tasks and benefits from Nokia’s commitment to software updates, making it ideal for those valuing longevity and a clean Android experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 13, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 05. Released 2020, February 14 | 2020, September 22. Released 2020, October 26 |
| 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) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (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 | 4.2, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen Blue, Blazing Red, Volcano Grey shade | Fjord, Dusk, Charcoal |
| Models | RMX2027, RMX2020, RMX2021 | TA-1288, TA-1285, TA-1283 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.83 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 192223 (v8)
GeekBench: 1262 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme C3
- More powerful Helio G70 chipset for gaming
- Potentially smoother performance in demanding apps
- Likely larger battery capacity
- Less power-efficient chipset
- Potentially more aggressive software customization
Nokia 3.4
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Cleaner Android experience with guaranteed updates
- Better thermal management
- Less powerful chipset for gaming
- Potentially slower performance in demanding apps
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are unavailable, the Realme C3’s focus on gaming suggests a potentially higher refresh rate (though unconfirmed), which would provide a smoother visual experience. The Nokia 3.4, lacking a performance-focused chipset, likely prioritizes power efficiency in its display configuration. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones featuring basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both rely on primary sensors around the 13MP mark. The Realme C3’s processing might lean towards more vibrant, saturated images, typical of Realme’s image tuning. Nokia, on the other hand, generally aims for more natural color reproduction. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both is largely a marketing feature, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of autofocus. Image quality will heavily depend on software processing and lighting conditions.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C3’s MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm) utilizes a combination of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, offering a performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The A75 cores, clocked at 2.0 GHz, provide a significant boost over the Nokia 3.4’s Snapdragon 460’s Cortex-A73 cores (1.8 GHz). However, the Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, is more power-efficient. This translates to potentially better thermal management and longer battery life under sustained load. The Snapdragon 460’s architecture is geared towards efficiency, while the Helio G70 prioritizes peak performance.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. The Realme C3’s battery capacity is not specified, but given its gaming focus, it likely has a slightly larger capacity than the Nokia 3.4’s. However, the Snapdragon 460’s superior power efficiency could offset a smaller battery size, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. Users can expect around a full day of moderate use on both devices, but the Realme C3 might drain faster during intensive gaming sessions.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C3 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming and multitasking without significant slowdowns. Its Helio G70 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge. Buy the Nokia 3.4 if you prefer a cleaner, more streamlined Android experience with guaranteed software updates and prioritize efficiency for all-day battery life during typical usage. It’s the better option for users who primarily browse, message, and use social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C3 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G70 is a capable chipset, but its 12nm process isn't the most efficient. Expect some heat buildup during extended gaming, potentially leading to slight performance throttling. However, it's unlikely to reach critical temperatures that cause instability.
❓ How long will Nokia guarantee software updates for the Nokia 3.4?
Nokia typically provides at least two years of Android OS updates and three years of security patches for its smartphones. This commitment to software support is a significant advantage over many other brands in this price range, ensuring your device remains secure and up-to-date.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 460 in the Nokia 3.4 powerful enough for multitasking?
The Snapdragon 460 is sufficient for basic multitasking, such as switching between messaging apps, browsing the web, and listening to music. However, it may struggle with running multiple demanding applications simultaneously. It's best suited for users who primarily use a few apps at a time.
❓ Does the Realme C3 support fast charging?
No, the Realme C3 only supports 10W wired charging. This is a standard charging speed for budget smartphones and means a full charge will take approximately 2-3 hours.
