Realme C30 vs Motorola Moto E40: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The Realme C30 and Motorola Moto E40 represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum, targeting first-time buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. Both rely on Unisoc chipsets to deliver functionality, but subtle differences in architecture and implementation can significantly impact the user experience. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing basic functionality and a slightly more refined CPU architecture, the Realme C30 emerges as the better choice. While both phones offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the C30’s Unisoc Tiger T612 provides a more balanced performance profile for everyday tasks.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme C30 Motorola Moto E40
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 40, 66 - Brazil
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2022, June 202021, October 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, June 28Available. Released 2021, October 11
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.1 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)165.1 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight182 g (6.42 oz)198 g (6.98 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 400 nitsIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core 1.8 GHz
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm)Unisoc T700
GPUMali-G57Mali G52
OSAndroid 11, Realme UI GoAndroid 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.2eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF-
Triple-48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0
Video720p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsLake Blue, Bamboo GreenCarbon Gray, Pink Clay
ModelsRMX3581, RMX3623-
PriceAbout 90 EURAbout 90 EUR
SAR1.02 W/kg (head)     0.68 W/kg (body)-

Realme C30

  • More powerful CPU architecture (Cortex-A75 cores)
  • Potentially smoother multitasking
  • Likely more responsive app launches

  • Slow 10W charging
  • Basic camera system

Motorola Moto E40

  • Potentially cleaner software experience (Motorola)
  • Potentially faster software updates (Motorola)
  • May have a larger display (data unavailable)

  • Less powerful CPU architecture (all Cortex-A55)
  • Slow 10W charging
  • Basic camera system

Display Comparison

Display specifications are unavailable for the Moto E40, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given the price point, both are likely to feature LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The Realme C30’s display quality will likely be average for its class. Without knowing the Moto E40’s panel characteristics, it’s impossible to determine a clear winner, but a larger screen size on the Moto E40 (if present) would be a significant advantage for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are expected to feature basic camera setups. Given the target market, image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots but shouldn’t be expected to compete with higher-end devices. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to assess the camera performance. It’s highly probable that both phones include a 2MP macro lens, which offers limited practical benefit due to its low resolution. The primary sensor’s size and aperture will be the key determinants of image quality, but this information is currently unavailable.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C30 utilizes the Unisoc Tiger T612, featuring a heterogeneous core arrangement with 2x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration provides a performance boost for demanding tasks due to the more powerful A75 cores. The Motorola Moto E40, on the other hand, employs the Unisoc T700, an octa-core processor clocked at 1.8 GHz, but lacking the architectural differentiation of the T612. While both are 12nm chips, the Cortex-A75 cores in the C30 offer superior single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The T700’s all-A55 configuration is likely more consistent but less peaky.

Battery Life

Both the Realme C30 and Motorola Moto E40 are equipped with 10W wired charging. This slow charging speed means a full charge will take a considerable amount of time – likely over 2.5 hours. Battery capacity is unknown for both devices, but given the price point, they are likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The actual battery life will depend on usage patterns, but both phones should comfortably last a full day with moderate use. The slower charging speed is a significant drawback for both, but it’s a common compromise in this price segment.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme C30 if you need a phone primarily for calls, messaging, and light social media use, and appreciate a CPU with a more modern core configuration. Buy the Motorola Moto E40 if you prioritize a larger display (assuming it exists, data not provided) and prefer Motorola’s generally cleaner Android software experience, potentially with faster software updates (based on brand reputation).

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C30 struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Instagram?
While not a powerhouse, the Unisoc Tiger T612, with its Cortex-A75 cores, should handle TikTok and Instagram reasonably well. Expect some occasional slowdowns with heavy multitasking or when the phone is running other background processes. It’s designed for basic social media use, not intensive gaming or video editing.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Motorola Moto E40 with the 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging speed, expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on the battery capacity (which is currently unknown). This is a relatively slow charging speed compared to modern smartphones, so overnight charging is recommended.
❓ Is the Realme C30 a good choice for someone upgrading from a feature phone?
Yes, the Realme C30 is an excellent entry point for someone upgrading from a feature phone. It offers essential smartphone functionality – calling, texting, internet access, and basic apps – at a very affordable price. The Unisoc T612 provides enough power for everyday tasks, and the Android operating system offers a familiar and intuitive user interface.