The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and Realme consistently delivers compelling options. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Realme C33 2023 and the Realme Narzo 50A Prime. Both offer attractive features at affordable prices, but which one reigns supreme?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme Narzo 50A Prime takes a slight edge thanks to its significantly faster 18W charging. While both share the same Unisoc T612 chipset, the Narzo 50A Prime's charging speed makes a noticeable difference in daily use. Both are solid budget choices, but charging is key.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 14 | 2022, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 14 | Available. Released 2022, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI S | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea | Black, Blue |
| Models | RMX3627 | RMX3516, RMX3517 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Realme C33 2023
- Stylish Design
- Potentially Slightly Better Display Colors
- Decent Main Camera Resolution
- Slow 10W Charging
- Average Performance
- Plastic Build
Realme Narzo 50A Prime
- Faster 18W Charging
- Practical Design
- Good Battery Life
- Less Eye-Catching Design
- Average Performance
- Standard Camera Performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, likely with an HD+ resolution. The C33 2023 might have a slightly more vibrant color profile due to design choices, but overall, display quality will be similar. Expect adequate viewing angles and brightness for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
The Realme C33 2023 likely boasts a slightly higher resolution main camera (potentially 50MP vs. the Narzo 50A Prime's 13MP), but image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Both will offer decent daytime shots, but low-light performance will be average. Expect basic features like portrait mode and HDR.
Performance
Powered by the Unisoc Tiger T612, performance will be comparable on both devices. Expect smooth navigation and basic multitasking, but demanding games and heavy applications may struggle. Don't expect flagship-level performance here; these are budget phones.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. However, the Narzo 50A Prime's 18W charging significantly reduces charging time compared to the C33 2023's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Realme C33 2023 is ideal for users prioritizing a stylish design and a slightly larger screen for media consumption, and who aren't overly concerned with fast charging. The Realme Narzo 50A Prime is better suited for those who value quicker charging times and a more practical overall package, even if the design is less flashy.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones have a 5000mAh battery, so battery life should be similar under moderate usage. However, the Narzo 50A Prime charges much faster.
❓ Can I play demanding games on these phones?
Neither phone is designed for high-end gaming. You can play less demanding games, but expect reduced graphics settings and potential lag with more intensive titles.