The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme C33 and the Xiaomi Redmi 10C. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C takes the crown. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset offers significantly better performance and efficiency than the Realme C33's Unisoc T612. Faster charging and a slightly better camera round out its advantages, making it the smarter choice for most users.
| 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, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 12 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | 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) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% 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 (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI S | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | RMX3624 | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 110 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
Realme C33
- Very affordable
- Large display
- Stylish design
- Weak performance
- Slow charging
- Mediocre camera
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Better performance
- Faster charging
- Improved camera
- Efficient chipset
- Design is less distinctive
- May lack some Realme-specific features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.5-inch displays, but the Redmi 10C often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Realme C33's display is adequate, but the Redmi 10C offers a more enjoyable viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 10C generally produces better photos, especially in low light. While both have similar megapixel counts, the Snapdragon 680's image signal processor (ISP) provides superior image processing. The Realme C33's camera is acceptable for casual snapshots, but lacks the detail and dynamic range of the Redmi 10C.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 10C shines. The Snapdragon 680 is a much more powerful and efficient chipset than the Unisoc T612. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 10C. The Realme C33 can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, but the Redmi 10C's more efficient chipset allows it to last slightly longer on a single charge. The 18W fast charging on the Redmi 10C is also a significant advantage over the Realme C33's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Realme C33 is a good option for users prioritizing a very affordable price point and a large display for media consumption. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is ideal for those seeking a smoother, more responsive experience, better camera quality, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset.
❓ Does the Realme C33 have NFC?
Yes, the Realme C33 typically includes NFC for contactless payments, though this can vary by region. Check the specific model's specifications.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Xiaomi generally provides better software updates and longer support lifecycles for their devices, giving the Redmi 10C an edge.