The Realme Narzo series consistently delivers budget-friendly smartphones packed with features. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Narzo 50A Prime and the Narzo 50A. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme Narzo 50A edges out the Narzo 50A Prime thanks to its superior Helio G85 chipset, offering noticeably better performance. While both offer decent battery life and similar displays, the 50A's reverse charging and stronger processor make it the slightly better choice.
| 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 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 22 | Available. Released 2021, October 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 207 g (7.30 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 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 570 nits (HBM) |
| 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 MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| 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", 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, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@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 | 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired
5W reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Oxygen Blue, Oxygen Green |
| Models | RMX3516, RMX3517 | RMX3430 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 130 EUR |
Realme Narzo 50A Prime
- Large 6.5-inch display
- Affordable price
- Decent battery life
- Sleek design
- Weaker processor
- Dual-camera setup
- No reverse charging
Realme Narzo 50A
- More powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Triple-camera setup with macro lens
- 5W reverse wired charging
- Better overall performance
- Slightly higher price
- Similar display quality to Prime
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels (HD+). While the panels are similar in size and resolution, the Narzo 50A might offer slightly better color accuracy due to its slightly more refined software processing. Viewing angles and brightness are comparable on both devices.
Camera Comparison
The Narzo 50A features a triple-camera setup (50MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth) while the Narzo 50A Prime has a dual-camera setup (13MP main, 2MP depth). While megapixels aren't everything, the Narzo 50A's additional macro lens provides more versatility. Image quality is generally decent on both, with good performance in well-lit conditions. Low-light performance is average on both.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The Narzo 50A boasts the MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, a significantly more powerful processor than the Narzo 50A Prime's Unisoc Tiger T612. Expect smoother app loading, better gaming performance, and overall snappier responsiveness on the Narzo 50A. The T612 is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life under moderate usage. The Narzo 50A has an added advantage with 5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to use it to charge other devices in a pinch. Charging speeds are similar at 18W wired.
Buying Guide
The Realme Narzo 50A Prime is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and basic smartphone functionality on a tight budget. The Realme Narzo 50A is better suited for those who need a smoother experience for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the added convenience of reverse charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme Narzo 50A Prime good for gaming?
The Narzo 50A Prime's Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset is adequate for basic games, but it will struggle with more demanding titles. The Narzo 50A with the Helio G85 offers a significantly better gaming experience.
❓ Can the Realme Narzo 50A charge other phones?
Yes, the Realme Narzo 50A supports 5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to use it as a power bank for other devices. The Narzo 50A Prime does not have this feature.