The Realme C3i and 5i represent Realme's commitment to delivering affordable smartphones. While both target the budget-conscious consumer, they diverge in their core processing power. The C3i leverages MediaTek’s Helio G70, geared towards gaming, while the 5i opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665, prioritizing efficiency. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and occasional gaming, the Realme C3i is the better choice thanks to its Helio G70 chipset. However, the Realme 5i offers a more balanced experience with its Snapdragon 665, potentially delivering better sustained performance and efficiency for everyday tasks. The 5i is the winner for the average user.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE (2CA) 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 24. Released 2020, July 03 | 2020, January 06. Released 2020, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75 x 9 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 75 x 9.3 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | - | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen Blue, Blazing Red | Blue, Green |
| Models | RMX2027, RMX2020 | RMX2030, RMX2032 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 192223 (v8)
GeekBench: 1262 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme C3i
- More powerful CPU for demanding tasks
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Faster processing speeds for certain applications
- Likely shorter battery life due to power-hungry chipset
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Realme 5i
- Better power efficiency for longer battery life
- More stable performance during extended use
- Potentially cooler operation
- Less powerful CPU for demanding tasks
- Lower gaming performance compared to the C3i
Display Comparison
Neither Realme provides display specifications beyond size and resolution in the provided data. However, given their market positioning, both likely utilize LCD panels. The real difference lies in the underlying chipsets impacting the display’s responsiveness. The G70’s stronger GPU in the C3i *could* translate to slightly smoother scrolling and animations, but this is highly dependent on software optimization. Without knowing the refresh rates or peak brightness, a definitive display winner is impossible to declare.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will depend heavily on sensor size, aperture, and image processing algorithms – data not provided. Given the budget nature of both devices, expect similar performance in good lighting conditions. The C3i’s more powerful chipset *might* allow for faster image processing, but this is speculative. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core distinction lies in the chipsets: the Realme C3i’s MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm) versus the Realme 5i’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The Helio G70 features a more powerful CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores alongside 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the Snapdragon 665’s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver. This suggests the C3i will excel in burst performance and single-core tasks. However, the Snapdragon 665’s 11nm process *should* offer better power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling during sustained loads. The G70’s focus is on gaming, while the 665 prioritizes balanced performance.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. The battery capacity is not specified, but given the market segment, both likely fall in the 5000mAh range. The Snapdragon 665’s superior power efficiency in the 5i could translate to longer battery life despite a potentially identical capacity. The Helio G70, while powerful, will consume more power, especially during gaming, reducing overall uptime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C3i if you frequently play mobile games and need a phone that can handle demanding applications, even if it means slightly shorter battery life. Buy the Realme 5i if you prioritize all-day battery life, smooth multitasking for common apps like social media and messaging, and a more consistently stable experience over extended periods. The 5i is ideal for users who don't push their phones to the limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C3i overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G70 is a capable chipset, but its 12nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 665’s 11nm process. This means the C3i is more likely to experience thermal throttling during extended gaming, potentially leading to reduced performance to prevent overheating.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 665 in the Realme 5i powerful enough for multitasking?
The Snapdragon 665 is well-suited for everyday multitasking, including running social media apps, messaging, and browsing the web. While it won’t match the C3i’s peak performance, it provides a smooth and responsive experience for typical usage scenarios.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging beyond 10W?
Both the Realme C3i and 5i are limited to 10W wired charging. This is common for phones in this price range, and charging times will be relatively slow compared to devices with faster charging capabilities.
❓ Which phone is better for taking photos in low light?
Without specific camera sensor details, it's difficult to say definitively. However, the C3i’s potentially faster image processing *could* offer a slight advantage in low-light scenarios, but this is highly dependent on software optimization.
