The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme C33 and Xiaomi Poco M5 are two contenders vying for your attention. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset selection and power efficiency. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco M5 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Realme C33’s Unisoc Tiger T612, translating to smoother multitasking and better gaming. While both offer similar battery endurance, the Poco M5’s faster 18W charging is a significant convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 06 | 2022, September 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 12 | Available. Released 2022, September 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), 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 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI S | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| 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), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea | Black, Green, Yellow |
| Models | RMX3624 | 22071219CG |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.04 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 121h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 386311 (v9)
GeekBench: 1896 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme C33
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Decent battery endurance
- Less powerful Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset
- Slower 10W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
Xiaomi Poco M5
- More powerful and efficient Mediatek Helio G99 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Brighter display for better visibility
- Slightly higher price
- Camera performance relies on software optimization
- May not be significantly faster for extremely basic tasks
Display Comparison
The Poco M5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 448 nits and a 1363:1 contrast ratio. While the Realme C33’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls behind in both metrics given its lower price point. The higher brightness of the Poco M5 will be particularly beneficial for outdoor visibility. Both displays share the same contrast ratio, suggesting similar panel technology, but the Poco M5’s higher brightness provides a more vibrant and usable viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. In this segment, we must rely on brand reputation. Xiaomi generally invests more in camera software and image processing, even on budget devices. While the Realme C33 may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, the Poco M5 is likely to deliver more consistent results across various scenarios, and potentially better low-light performance. The absence of details regarding sensor size and aperture makes a definitive comparison impossible.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco M5’s Mediatek Helio G99, fabricated on a 6nm process, is significantly more efficient than the Realme C33’s Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm). The Helio G99’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – also represents a step up in performance compared to the C33’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the Poco M5. The 6nm process also implies better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both the Realme C33 and Poco M5 achieve an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Poco M5’s 18W wired charging significantly outperforms the Realme C33’s 10W charging. This means the Poco M5 can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime and offering greater convenience. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Helio G99 chipset likely contributes to the similar endurance rating despite the faster charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C33 if your primary need is a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and you prioritize a minimal financial investment. Buy the Xiaomi Poco M5 if you value a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional mobile gaming, and appreciate the convenience of faster charging, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Poco M5 capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G99 is a capable gaming chipset for its price range. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The 6nm process also helps to mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a more consistent experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Poco M5 with the 18W charger?
While the exact 0-100% charge time depends on usage and ambient temperature, the Poco M5 should fully charge in approximately 2-2.5 hours with the included 18W charger. This is significantly faster than the Realme C33’s 10W charging, which could take upwards of 3.5-4 hours.
❓ Does the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C33 struggle with multitasking?
The Unisoc Tiger T612 is adequate for basic multitasking, such as switching between messaging apps and web browsing. However, it may exhibit noticeable slowdowns when running multiple demanding applications simultaneously. Users who frequently multitask or use resource-intensive apps will likely find the Poco M5’s Helio G99 a more responsive experience.
