The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and Realme consistently delivers compelling options. Today, we're pitting the Realme Q2i against the Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition to see which offers the best value for your money. Both phones target budget-conscious consumers, but their internal components differ significantly.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme Q2i takes the win thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 720 chipset. While the C15 Qualcomm Edition offers a larger battery, the Q2i's superior performance makes it the better choice for smoother multitasking and gaming, justifying the slight price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 13. Released 2020, October 21 | 2020, October 28. Released 2020, October 29 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP B/W, f/2.4
2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@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, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver | Power Silver, Power Blue |
| Models | - | RMX2195 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.62 W/kg (body) |
Realme Q2i
- Superior Performance (Dimensity 720)
- Better Camera Capabilities
- Sleek Design (Generally)
- Faster App Loading
- Slightly Smaller Battery
- Potentially Higher Price
Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition
- Exceptional Battery Life (6000mAh)
- Affordable Price
- Large Display
- Decent for Basic Tasks
- Lower Performance (Snapdragon 460)
- Less Capable Camera
- Can Feel Slow with Multitasking
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.5-inch displays, likely with an HD+ resolution. The Q2i might offer slightly better color accuracy due to its more powerful chipset allowing for better display processing, but both are adequate for the price point. Expect similar viewing experiences overall.
Camera Comparison
The Realme Q2i likely boasts a more capable camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor and better image processing capabilities thanks to its more powerful chipset. While both phones likely feature a quad-camera setup, the Q2i should produce sharper, more detailed photos, especially in low light. Expect the C15 to be adequate for casual snapshots.
Performance
This is where the Q2i shines. The Dimensity 720 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 460. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Q2i. The C15 Qualcomm Edition will handle basic tasks fine, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition typically features a larger battery (likely 6000mAh) compared to the Q2i (likely around 5000mAh). This translates to significantly longer battery life on the C15, potentially lasting a full day and a half or even two days with moderate usage. The Q2i will still offer good battery life, but not to the same extent.
Buying Guide
The Realme Q2i is ideal for users who prioritize performance and want a smoother experience for everyday tasks and light gaming. The Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition is a good option for those who heavily value battery life and are less concerned about raw processing power, primarily using their phone for calls, messaging, and basic apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme Q2i worth the extra money?
If performance is a priority, yes. The Dimensity 720 offers a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 460, making the Q2i a more enjoyable device to use.
❓ Which phone has the best battery life?
The Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition's 6000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life than the Q2i.
