The Realme C51 and Tecno Spark 10 Pro represent compelling options in the ultra-competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Realme C51 prioritizes faster charging, while the Tecno Spark 10 Pro focuses on a slightly more powerful chipset and established endurance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing quick top-ups and a modern design, the Realme C51 is the better choice. Its 33W charging significantly outperforms the Tecno Spark 10 Pro’s 18W, making it more convenient for daily use. However, gamers may lean towards the Tecno Spark 10 Pro.
| 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 - Africa, India | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, July 24 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2023, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.7 x 8 mm (6.58 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) | 168.4 x 76.2 x 8.4 mm (6.63 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.3 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI T | Android 13, HIOS 12.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
other unspecified cameras |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 0-50% in 28 min | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Carbon Black | Starry Black, Pearl White |
| Models | RMX3830 | KI7 |
| Price | About 410 EUR | £ 245.74 |
| SAR | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1991:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 249938 (v9)
GeekBench: 1358 (v5.1), 1376 (v6)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme C51
- 33W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Modern design aesthetic
- Potentially better thermal efficiency with Unisoc T612
- Slightly less powerful processor than the Tecno Spark 10 Pro
- No official endurance rating provided
Tecno Spark 10 Pro
- Slightly more powerful MediaTek Helio G88 chipset
- Proven 131-hour endurance rating
- Brighter display (521 nits)
- Significantly slower 18W charging
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Both the Realme C51 and Tecno Spark 10 Pro share a contrast ratio of 1991:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Tecno Spark 10 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 521 nits, offering a noticeably brighter viewing experience, especially outdoors. While both likely utilize IPS LCD technology, the higher brightness of the Tecno Spark 10 Pro provides an advantage in direct sunlight readability. Details regarding color accuracy and panel type (e.g., IPS, TFT) are missing, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. This suggests a focus on basic photography rather than advanced features. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) indicates that both phones will rely on software stabilization. Without further details, it’s difficult to assess camera quality, but the market segment suggests similar performance levels. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is likely a marketing feature with limited practical utility.
Performance
The Tecno Spark 10 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G88 chipset, with its 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores, offers a slight performance edge over the Realme C51’s Unisoc Tiger T612 (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75). While both utilize the same core architecture, the higher clock speed of the G88 translates to faster processing in benchmarks and potentially smoother multitasking. However, the real-world difference will be subtle for everyday tasks. Both phones are equipped with 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. Thermal management is a key consideration; the Unisoc T612 may benefit from slightly better efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained loads, but this is speculative without testing.
Battery Life
The Tecno Spark 10 Pro claims an endurance rating of 131 hours, indicating strong battery life. However, this is a lab-based metric and real-world usage will vary. The Realme C51, while lacking a specific endurance rating, compensates with significantly faster 33W wired charging, achieving 0-50% in just 28 minutes. The Tecno Spark 10 Pro’s 18W charging is considerably slower. This difference in charging speed is a major differentiator, offering greater convenience for users who prefer quick top-ups over extended battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C51 if you need a phone that can quickly recharge, minimizing downtime and offering convenience for users who frequently top up their battery throughout the day. Buy the Tecno Spark 10 Pro if you prioritize a slightly more capable processor for light gaming and multitasking, and value the proven 131-hour endurance rating for extended use between charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C51 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc Tiger T612 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Tecno Spark 10 Pro’s Helio G88 offers a slight advantage in gaming performance, but neither phone is designed for high-end gaming experiences.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Tecno Spark 10 Pro with its 18W charging?
Based on the 18W charging and typical battery capacities in this segment, a full charge from 0-100% on the Tecno Spark 10 Pro will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours. This is significantly longer than the Realme C51’s 33W fast charging.
❓ Is the 131-hour endurance rating of the Tecno Spark 10 Pro realistic for typical usage?
The 131-hour endurance rating is based on a specific testing methodology. Real-world usage, including screen-on time, app usage, and network conditions, will significantly impact battery life. Expect a more realistic battery life of 1-2 days with moderate use.
