The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Realme C61, powered by a Unisoc Tiger T612, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2, represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on performance, charging speed, and overall value to determine which device emerges as the superior choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R is the better buy. Its Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 chipset, built on a more efficient 4nm process, delivers noticeably improved performance and thermal management compared to the Realme C61’s Unisoc T612. The faster 33W charging is a significant convenience, offsetting the slightly higher price.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, July | 2024, May 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July 25 | Available. Released 2024, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm (6.59 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 205 g (7.23 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) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 560 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 14, Realme UI | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.5", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5030 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sparkle Gold, Dark Green | Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | RMX3939, RMX3930 | 2406ERN9CC |
| Price | $ 109.15 / £ 79.00 / € 89.99 | About 180 EUR |
Realme C61
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
- May offer longer standby time due to less powerful processor (potentially).
- Unisoc Tiger T612 struggles with demanding apps.
- Slow 15W charging is inconvenient.
- Likely to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R
- Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 delivers significantly better performance.
- 33W fast charging reduces downtime.
- More efficient processor for potentially better battery life.
- Slightly higher price compared to the Realme C61.
- May not have a dramatically superior camera system.
- Performance still limited by budget chipset.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, the focus here is on the underlying performance. Both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The absence of high refresh rates is expected. The real difference lies elsewhere.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Redmi Note 13R likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to Unisoc’s offerings. The focus should be on real-world image quality tests, but the Redmi Note 13R has a theoretical advantage. It's reasonable to assume both phones will include a standard macro lens, which are often of limited utility.
Performance
The core differentiator is the chipset. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4nm) represents a significant leap over the Realme C61’s Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm). The 4nm fabrication process inherently provides better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and sustained performance. The Snapdragon’s CPU configuration – 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 – also offers a performance advantage over the C61’s 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi Note 13R. While both have 8 cores, the architectural differences and process node are critical.
Battery Life
The Realme C61’s 15W charging is a clear disadvantage compared to the Redmi Note 13R’s 33W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed significantly reduces downtime. A full charge on the Redmi Note 13R will take considerably less time, offering a more convenient user experience. The Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2’s improved efficiency also contributes to potentially better battery life, even with a similar capacity battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C61 if your primary need is a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and you prioritize minimizing upfront cost. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more. The Redmi Note 13R is the clear choice for users who want a phone that feels responsive and can handle more demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi Note 13R handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 in the Redmi Note 13R is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, but expect to play at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C61 will likely struggle with these titles, requiring significantly lower settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Redmi Note 13R compared to the Realme C61?
The Redmi Note 13R’s 33W charging is more than double the speed of the Realme C61’s 15W charging. This translates to a significantly reduced charging time – potentially going from 0% to 50% in around 30-40 minutes on the Redmi Note 13R, compared to over an hour on the Realme C61.
❓ Is the difference in processor performance noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 provides a smoother and more responsive experience when opening apps, multitasking, and browsing the web. The Realme C61’s Unisoc T612 may exhibit slight lag or stuttering during these tasks.
