Realme continues to deliver impressive smartphones at competitive prices. The Q3 5G offered great value, but the newer Q5 Pro promises a significant upgrade. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which phone deserves your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme Q5 Pro is the clear winner, boasting a significantly faster Snapdragon 870 chipset and much faster 80W charging. While the Q3 5G remains a decent budget option, the Q5 Pro's performance and charging speed justify its higher price for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 22 | 2022, April 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 29 | Available. Released 2022, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) | 162.9 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 194.5 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | - | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 100% in 63 min | 80W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Black, White, Yellow |
| Models | RMX3161 | RMX3372 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 330 EUR |
Realme Q3 5G
- Affordable
- 5G Connectivity
- Decent Performance for Everyday Tasks
- Reliable Brand
- Slower Performance
- Slower Charging
- Less Powerful Camera
- Older Chipset
Realme Q5 Pro
- Blazing Fast Performance
- Ultra-Fast 80W Charging
- Superior Camera Quality
- Premium Processor (Snapdragon 870)
- Likely Brighter Display
- Higher Price
- Potentially Less Battery Life (due to more intensive usage)
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals. However, the Q5 Pro may have a slightly brighter display and potentially a higher resolution, leading to a more vibrant and detailed viewing experience. Expect similar color accuracy on both.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup (likely a 64MP main sensor on both), the Q5 Pro's more powerful processor allows for better image processing, resulting in improved dynamic range, low-light performance, and overall image quality. Expect better video recording capabilities on the Q5 Pro as well.
Performance
This is where the Q5 Pro shines. The Snapdragon 870 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 750G. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a much better gaming experience on the Q5 Pro. The Q3 5G is capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh). However, the Q5 Pro's 80W charging is a game-changer, allowing it to charge from 0% to 100% in around 30-35 minutes, compared to the Q3 5G's 63 minutes with 30W charging.
Buying Guide
The Realme Q3 5G is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize 5G connectivity and a reliable, everyday smartphone experience. The Realme Q5 Pro is perfect for gamers, power users, and anyone who values fast performance and rapid charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme Q5 Pro worth the extra money?
If performance and fast charging are important to you, then yes. The Snapdragon 870 and 80W charging make a significant difference.
❓ Can the Realme Q3 5G handle gaming?
It can handle casual games, but demanding titles will likely experience lag and reduced frame rates. The Q5 Pro is a much better choice for serious gamers.