The Realme C3 and Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets, impacting everything from everyday responsiveness to gaming capabilities. This comparison will dissect those differences and help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C3 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G70 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi 9i Sport’s Helio G25, particularly in demanding tasks. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the C3’s superior processing power justifies its 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 / 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, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| 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) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| 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, 128GB 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 |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| 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/2.2, (wide), 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 |
| 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 а/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen Blue, Blazing Red, Volcano Grey shade | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | RMX2027, RMX2020, RMX2021 | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 192223 (v8)
GeekBench: 1262 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme C3
- Superior chipset (Helio G70) for better performance
- More responsive user experience
- Better suited for multitasking and light gaming
- May be slightly more expensive than the Redmi 9i Sport
- 10W charging is relatively slow
Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport
- Very affordable price point
- Decent battery life for basic usage
- Suitable for first-time smartphone users
- Inferior chipset (Helio G25) leads to slower performance
- Struggles with demanding tasks and multitasking
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed specs like resolution and brightness are missing, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+ resolution. The focus here isn’t on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, and color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be comparable, leaning towards basic functionality on both devices. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially depth/macro sensors of limited utility. Image processing will likely prioritize speed over quality, resulting in acceptable photos in good lighting conditions but struggles in low light. The absence of OIS on either device means image stabilization will rely solely on software, further limiting low-light performance.
Performance
This is where the Realme C3 pulls ahead significantly. The C3’s Mediatek Helio G70 chipset features a dual-cluster configuration with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a substantial boost in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Redmi 9i Sport’s Helio G25. The G25 utilizes 4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 cores in the C3 are significantly more powerful than the A53 cores in the Redmi 9i Sport, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother animations, and better overall responsiveness. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural advantage of the G70 is clear.
Battery Life
Both the Realme C3 and Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport are equipped with 10W wired charging. This is a relatively slow charging speed, meaning a full charge will take approximately 2-3 hours. While battery capacity isn’t specified, both likely house around a 5000mAh battery, common in this segment. Real-world battery life will be similar – expect a full day of moderate use, but heavy gaming or video streaming will drain the battery faster. The slower charging speed means topping up throughout the day isn’t practical.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C3 if you prioritize smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, and a more responsive user experience. It’s ideal for users who frequently switch between apps or enjoy mobile games that aren’t overly graphically intensive. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport 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 a suitable option 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?
The Realme C3, with its Helio G70 chipset, can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings (balanced or low) to maintain a playable frame rate. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense firefights. The Redmi 9i Sport will struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile, even on the lowest settings.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio G70 and Helio G25 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Helio G70’s more powerful Cortex-A75 cores result in faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall experience. Tasks like opening multiple apps or browsing the web will feel snappier on the Realme C3 compared to the Redmi 9i Sport.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge both phones?
With 10W charging, both the Realme C3 and Redmi 9i Sport will take approximately 2 to 3 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is a relatively slow charging speed, so overnight charging is recommended.
