The Realme C3i and Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets, impacting everything from everyday responsiveness to gaming capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C3i emerges as the stronger choice. Its Helio G70 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Redmi 9A Sport’s Helio G25, particularly in multitasking and demanding applications. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the C3i’s superior processing power justifies the potentially slight price premium.
| 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, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 24. Released 2020, July 03 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75 x 9 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| 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) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| 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 |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| 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, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | - | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen Blue, Blazing Red | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | RMX2027, RMX2020 | - |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 192223 (v8)
GeekBench: 1262 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme C3i
- Superior processor performance with Helio G70
- More responsive multitasking experience
- Potentially better camera image processing
- May be slightly more expensive than the Redmi 9A Sport
- No information on display quality
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- Lower price point
- Adequate for basic smartphone tasks
- Likely similar battery life to the C3i
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Struggles with demanding apps and games
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize standard IPS LCD panels, and detailed specifications like resolution and peak brightness are absent from the provided data. However, the focus should be on the chipset's ability to drive the display smoothly. The C3i's more powerful GPU will likely result in slightly better frame rates in games, even if the panel itself is similar. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, typical of this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor. However, image processing quality will be heavily influenced by the chipset. The C3i’s Helio G70 includes a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor), enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The Redmi 9A Sport’s G25 will likely produce acceptable images in good lighting conditions, but will struggle in challenging scenarios. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features with limited practical utility.
Performance
This is where the Realme C3i truly shines. The Helio G70 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, alongside six Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture is significantly more capable than the Redmi 9A Sport’s Helio G25, which uses four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz and four more at 1.5 GHz. The A75 cores offer a substantial IPC (Instructions Per Clock) improvement over the A53, translating to faster app loading times and a more responsive user experience. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural advantage of the G70 is undeniable. The Redmi 9A Sport will be adequate for basic tasks, but will exhibit more lag and stuttering under load.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn't specified, both likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range, common for this price point. Therefore, real-world battery life will likely be comparable, offering a full day of moderate use. The C3i’s more efficient processor *could* translate to slightly longer battery life, but the difference will likely be minimal.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C3i if you prioritize smoother performance for multitasking, social media, and light gaming. Its more powerful processor will handle demanding apps with greater ease. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and light web browsing – and you’re looking for the absolute lowest price point. The G25 is sufficient for these tasks, but struggles with heavier workloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9A Sport struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Redmi 9A Sport can run WhatsApp and Facebook, you may experience occasional lag or slowdowns, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously. The Helio G25 is sufficient for these apps in isolation, but its limited processing power becomes apparent under heavier load.
❓ Can the Realme C3i handle basic mobile gaming like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Realme C3i can handle PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve playable frame rates. The Helio G70 provides a noticeable improvement over the G25 for gaming, but it’s still an entry-level chipset.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio G70 and Helio G25 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Realme C3i with the Helio G70 will feel snappier and more responsive when opening apps, switching between tasks, and browsing the web. The Redmi 9A Sport with the Helio G25 will exhibit more lag and stuttering, particularly when multitasking.
