The Realme Note 50 and Oppo A18 represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Realme Note 50 leans towards efficiency with a Unisoc chipset, while the Oppo A18 prioritizes a slight performance edge with a MediaTek Helio G85. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A18 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset offers a noticeable performance boost over the Realme Note 50’s Unisoc Tiger T612, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While both phones share similar battery capacities and slow charging, the A18’s extra processing power provides a more responsive overall experience.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, January 23 | 2023, September 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 23 | Available. Released 2023, October 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.7 x 8 mm (6.58 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) | 163.7 x 75 x 8.2 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 720 nits (peak) |
| 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 MT6769 Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI T | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, ColorOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sky Blue, Midnight Black | Glowing Black, Glowing Blue |
| Models | RMX3834 | CPH2591 |
| Price | € 95.83 | ₹ 10,290 |
Realme Note 50
- Potentially better power efficiency with Unisoc chipset.
- Competitive price point.
- Likely durable build quality for the price.
- Lower overall performance compared to Oppo A18.
- Slow 10W charging.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
Oppo A18
- More powerful MediaTek Helio G85 chipset.
- Smoother multitasking and gaming experience.
- Responsive user interface.
- Slow 10W charging.
- Battery life may be slightly shorter under heavy use.
- Similar camera performance to Realme Note 50.
Display Comparison
Neither Realme nor Oppo provide display specifications beyond the basic panel size. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The real difference lies under the hood; without knowing peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. However, the focus on cost-cutting suggests similar viewing experiences, prioritizing functionality over visual fidelity. Expect standard 60Hz refresh rates on both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are expected to feature a primary camera alongside depth and potentially macro sensors. However, specific sensor details are unavailable. Given the market segment, image quality will likely be similar, relying heavily on software processing. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests that low-light performance will be a challenge. The 2MP macro cameras commonly found in this price range offer limited utility, and should not be a deciding factor. The A18's slightly more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G85 may provide a marginal improvement in image processing speed and quality.
Performance
The core distinction between these devices is their chipsets. The Oppo A18’s MediaTek Helio G85 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) boasts a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed compared to the Realme Note 50’s Unisoc Tiger T612 (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). This 200MHz difference in the Cortex-A75 cores translates to a measurable performance advantage for the A18 in CPU-intensive tasks. While both utilize the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, the G85’s GPU is also superior, offering a better gaming experience. The Realme Note 50 will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the Oppo A18 will feel noticeably snappier.
Battery Life
Both the Realme Note 50 and Oppo A18 are equipped with 10W wired charging, a significant limitation in today’s fast-charging landscape. Expect a full charge to take well over two hours. While battery capacity isn’t specified, both likely house around a 5000mAh battery, typical for this price range. The Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme Note 50 *may* offer slightly better power efficiency, potentially translating to marginally longer battery life under light usage. However, the Oppo A18’s more efficient use of processing power during active tasks could offset this difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Note 50 if you prioritize long-term efficiency and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its Unisoc chipset, while less powerful, may offer slightly better power consumption. Buy the Oppo A18 if you value a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional mobile gaming, or frequently multitask between apps. The Helio G85 provides a tangible performance advantage, making it the better option for those seeking a bit more power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A18 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G85 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. Don't expect to max out the settings, but it's playable. The Realme Note 50 will likely require even lower settings.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either phone from 0%?
With only 10W charging, expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Neither phone offers fast charging capabilities.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset in the Realme Note 50 a reliable option?
The Unisoc Tiger T612 is a capable chipset for basic smartphone tasks. It's not as powerful as the Helio G85, but it's generally reliable and efficient for everyday use like calling, texting, and browsing.
❓ Can either phone handle video editing or other resource-intensive tasks?
Neither phone is well-suited for video editing or other demanding tasks. The limited processing power and RAM will result in slow performance and potential lag. These phones are best for basic usage.
