The Realme C3 and Xiaomi Poco M2 Reloaded represent a fiercely competitive segment: the sub-$150 smartphone. Both devices aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with slightly different approaches. This comparison dissects the key differences – from chipset nuances to charging speeds – to help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M2 Reloaded emerges as the better choice. While both phones share the same Mediatek Helio G70/G80 series chipset, the Poco M2 Reloaded’s Helio G80, coupled with its faster 18W charging, provides a noticeable edge in performance and convenience, justifying the potentially slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 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 | 2021, April 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | 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) | 163.3 x 77 x 9.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 198 g (6.98 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.2% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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 |
| Quad | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen Blue, Blazing Red, Volcano Grey shade | Pitch Black (Greyish Black), Slate Blue (Mostly Blue) |
| Models | RMX2027, RMX2020, RMX2021 | MZB0957IN |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 192223 (v8)
GeekBench: 1262 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme C3
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable Mediatek Helio G70 chipset
- Large 5000mAh battery (estimated)
- Slow 10W charging
- Less powerful CPU/GPU compared to the G80
- Potentially less refined camera processing
Xiaomi Poco M2 Reloaded
- Faster Mediatek Helio G80 chipset
- Significantly faster 18W charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- May be slightly more expensive
- Battery life may be similar to C3 despite faster charging
Display Comparison
Neither Realme nor Xiaomi provide display specifications beyond the basics. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The real difference lies elsewhere. The focus here is on maximizing value, not display fidelity. Expect similar viewing experiences, with neither phone excelling in color accuracy or brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar camera setups, focusing on a primary sensor with supporting depth or macro lenses. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the image processing algorithms employed by Xiaomi are generally more refined, potentially leading to better dynamic range and color reproduction in photos taken with the Poco M2 Reloaded. The 2MP macro lenses on both devices are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the Realme C3 features the Mediatek Helio G70, while the Poco M2 Reloaded boasts the Helio G80. Both are octa-core CPUs with the same 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.7/1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. However, the G80’s slightly higher Cortex-A55 clock speed (1.8 GHz vs 1.7 GHz) translates to a modest, but measurable, performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. This means slightly faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Poco M2 Reloaded. The GPU performance is also marginally better on the G80, offering a few extra frames per second in demanding games.
Battery Life
While both phones likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range (based on market segment), the charging speeds are significantly different. The Realme C3 is limited to 10W wired charging, resulting in a lengthy charge time of over 3 hours for a full charge. The Poco M2 Reloaded, with its 18W wired charging support, can replenish the battery much faster, potentially reaching a full charge in around 2 hours. This difference is crucial for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day and need quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C3 if you prioritize a slightly lower initial cost and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a viable option for basic smartphone tasks and light gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M2 Reloaded if you value a smoother gaming experience, faster charging, and a more responsive overall user experience, even if it means spending a little more upfront. This phone is geared towards users who want a bit more 'oomph' from their budget device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco M2 Reloaded’s Helio G80 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G80 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won’t deliver a flagship-level experience, it provides a noticeable improvement over the Helio G70 in the Realme C3, resulting in smoother gameplay and fewer stutters.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the Poco M2 Reloaded compared to the Realme C3’s 10W charging in real-world use?
The 18W charging on the Poco M2 Reloaded can reduce a full charge time from over 3 hours (Realme C3) to approximately 2 hours. This is a significant difference for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ Is the difference between the Helio G70 and G80 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference is subtle. Both chips are capable of handling everyday usage without issue. However, the G80’s slightly faster CPU and GPU will result in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking, making the Poco M2 Reloaded feel more responsive overall.
