The sub-€200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Realme C51 and vivo Y22s (Europe) both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches: the Realme C51 leverages the Unisoc Tiger T612, while the vivo Y22s opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 680. This comparison dissects these choices, revealing which phone offers the best balance of performance, battery life, and charging speed.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo Y22s (Europe) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 680, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and better thermal management compared to the Realme C51’s Unisoc T612. While the Realme C51 boasts faster 33W charging, the vivo’s more refined chipset and reverse wired charging offer a more well-rounded experience.
| 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 - Africa, India | 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 | 2023, July 24 | 2022, November 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2022, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.7 x 8 mm (6.58 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.1 cm2 (~82.4% 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 (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 13, Realme UI T | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual LED flash |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| 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, 70% in 70 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Carbon Black | Summer Cyan, Starlit Blue |
| Models | RMX3830 | - |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.98 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
Realme C51
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Unisoc chipset offers a different experience for those seeking alternatives to Qualcomm
- Less efficient Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset
- Likely lower sustained performance
- No reverse wired charging
vivo Y22s (Europe)
- More efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Better sustained performance
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Slower 18W wired charging
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Qualcomm chipset may feel less 'unique' to some users
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are unavailable, the focus here is on the chipset's ability to drive the display efficiently. The Snapdragon 680’s Adreno 610 GPU will likely provide a smoother experience with animations and scrolling, even if the resolution and refresh rate are similar.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with depth or macro sensors. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 680 is generally more advanced, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. The Realme C51’s Unisoc chipset may struggle to deliver the same level of image processing quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means relying heavily on software stabilization.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) features a more modern architecture with 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores. This contrasts with the Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm) and its 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 680 is significantly more efficient, leading to lower heat generation and sustained performance. While the Realme C51’s Cortex-A75 cores offer a theoretical performance boost, the Snapdragon 680’s overall architecture and efficiency give it the edge in real-world usage, especially during prolonged tasks. Users who play mobile games or multitask frequently will see a tangible benefit from the vivo Y22s.
Battery Life
Both devices likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range, a standard for this segment. However, the Snapdragon 680’s superior power efficiency will translate to longer battery life on the vivo Y22s. While the Realme C51 boasts 33W charging (0-50% in 28 minutes), the vivo Y22s’ 18W charging (70% in 70 minutes) is slower. However, the efficiency gains of the Snapdragon 680 mean you’ll likely need to charge the vivo Y22s less frequently. The vivo Y22s also includes reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Realme C51, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C51 if you prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. The 33W charging will get you back up and running quickly. Buy the vivo Y22s (Europe) if you value smoother performance in everyday apps, occasional gaming, and a more efficient chipset that will likely translate to better long-term battery health. The added convenience of reverse wired charging is also a significant benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C51’s 33W charging make a huge difference in daily use?
While 33W charging is faster than 18W, the Realme C51’s less efficient chipset means you’ll likely be charging it more often. The convenience of faster charging is offset by the increased frequency. The vivo Y22s’ slower charging is less noticeable due to its longer battery life.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 in the vivo Y22s powerful enough for modern mobile games?
The Snapdragon 680 can handle most popular mobile games at medium settings. While it won’t deliver flagship-level performance, its efficiency prevents significant throttling, allowing for sustained gameplay. The Realme C51’s Unisoc T612 may struggle with more demanding titles or prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ What is reverse wired charging, and is it useful on the vivo Y22s?
Reverse wired charging allows the vivo Y22s to act as a power bank for other devices, like wireless earbuds or another smartphone. It’s a convenient feature for travelers or anyone who frequently finds themselves with a low battery on a secondary device. The Realme C51 lacks this functionality.
❓ How does the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 680 impact the vivo Y22s’ performance?
The 6nm process is significantly more efficient than the 12nm process used in the Unisoc T612. This means the Snapdragon 680 consumes less power for the same level of performance, resulting in longer battery life and reduced heat generation. Less heat also means less performance throttling during demanding tasks.
