The Realme Narzo 50A Prime and Realme C25Y are both contenders in the fiercely competitive budget smartphone market. Both offer attractive features at affordable prices, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Narzo 50A Prime edges out the C25Y thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset (Tiger T612 vs T610). While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the Narzo's improved performance makes it the better choice for smoother multitasking and gaming, though the C25Y might offer slightly better design or features depending on the specific variant.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 22 | 2021, September 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 22 | Available. Released 2021, September 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, Realme UI R |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray |
| Models | RMX3516, RMX3517 | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
Realme Narzo 50A Prime
- Slightly better performance (Tiger T612)
- Modern design
- Generally good value for money
- Camera performance could be better
- Limited video recording features
- May have slightly less software support than C25Y
Realme C25Y
- Reliable and well-rounded
- Potentially longer software support
- Good battery life
- Slightly less powerful chipset (Tiger T610)
- Design might feel a bit dated
- Performance can lag with demanding apps
Display Comparison
Both phones typically feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. Expect similar viewing experiences, though panel quality (IPS vs. TFT) might vary slightly depending on the specific model. Color accuracy and brightness are generally adequate for everyday use but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The Narzo 50A Prime usually features a triple camera setup (50MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth) while the C25Y often has a similar configuration. Image quality is generally comparable in good lighting conditions, with decent detail and color reproduction. Low-light performance is expected to be average on both devices. Video recording capabilities are limited to 1080p at 30fps.
Performance
The Narzo 50A Prime holds a slight advantage here. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, while still a budget offering, generally performs better than the C25Y's T610. This translates to slightly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and marginally better gaming performance. Both phones will handle basic tasks without issue.
Battery Life
Both phones typically pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life under moderate usage. Expect around 10-12 hours of screen-on time. Charging speeds are identical at 18W wired, though real-world charging times may vary slightly.
Buying Guide
The Realme Narzo 50A Prime is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a slightly more modern feel within a tight budget. The Realme C25Y is a good option for those seeking a reliable, well-rounded phone with a focus on design and potentially longer software support, especially if design or specific features like NFC are important.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme Narzo 50A Prime worth buying?
If you prioritize performance within a budget, the Narzo 50A Prime is a solid choice. However, consider the C25Y if software updates and design are more important to you.
❓ Which Unisoc chipset is better, T612 or T610?
The Unisoc Tiger T612 generally offers slightly better performance than the T610, making it a preferable choice for smoother multitasking and gaming.