The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme C33 and the vivo Y16. Both promise a solid experience without breaking the bank, but which one delivers the better overall package? Let's dive in.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo Y16 edges out the Realme C33 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and generally better performance. While both offer similar battery life and camera capabilities, the Y16's Helio P35 provides a smoother user experience for everyday tasks. Both are solid choices, but the Y16 is the slightly stronger contender.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2022, September 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 12 | Available. Released 2022, September 01 |
| 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 x 75.6 x 8.2 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| | - | Splashproof |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI S | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| 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 | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C, 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea | Drizzling Gold, Stellar Black |
| Models | RMX3624 | V2204, V2214 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Realme C33
- Sleek and modern design
- Compact form factor
- Decent battery life
- Affordable price
- Less powerful chipset
- Slow charging
- Average camera performance
vivo Y16
- Slightly better performance
- Good battery life
- Decent camera
- Reliable brand
- Design is less distinctive
- Slow charging
- Average camera performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, likely with an HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels). Expect similar viewing experiences – adequate for everyday use but not exceptional. Color accuracy and brightness are typical for this price range. The Realme C33 might have a slightly more modern design, but the difference in display quality is negligible.
Camera Comparison
Both phones typically feature a dual or triple rear camera setup, likely including a 50MP main sensor. Image quality will be decent in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and a lack of detail in low light. The front-facing cameras are likely similar, offering adequate quality for selfies and video calls. Neither phone excels in camera performance, but they are comparable.
Performance
Here's where the vivo Y16 takes a slight lead. The Mediatek Helio P35 generally outperforms the Unisoc Tiger T612 in benchmarks and real-world usage. Expect smoother app loading times and slightly better multitasking on the Y16. Both phones will handle basic tasks without issue, but the Y16 is preferable for more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are limited to 10W wired charging on both, so expect relatively slow charging times. Battery life is a strong point for both phones.
Buying Guide
The Realme C33 is a good choice for users prioritizing a sleek design and a slightly more compact form factor. It's ideal for those primarily using their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. The vivo Y16 is better suited for users who want a bit more performance for multitasking and occasional gaming, offering a more responsive experience overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The vivo Y16 generally offers better gaming performance due to its slightly more powerful chipset.
❓ Are the cameras on these phones any good?
Both phones offer decent cameras for the price, but don't expect flagship-level performance. They are suitable for casual photography in good lighting conditions.
❓ How long will the battery last on each phone?
Both phones should provide all-day battery life with moderate usage thanks to their 5000mAh batteries.
❓ Which phone is easier to hold?
The Realme C33 is slightly more compact and may be easier to hold for users with smaller hands.
