The Realme Q3i 5G and Oppo A74 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget 5G smartphone market. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with different chipsets and design philosophies. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and responsiveness, the Realme Q3i 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a smaller 7nm process, provides a noticeable advantage in CPU and GPU performance over the Oppo A74 5G’s Snapdragon 480. While both offer 18W charging, the Q3i’s superior processing power makes it the better choice for gaming and multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 22 | 2021, April 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 22 | Available. Released 2021, April 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 162.9 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 (single lane) |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Supersonic Blue, Supersonic Black | Fluid Black, Space Silver |
| Models | RMX3042 | CPH2197, CPH2263 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Realme Q3i 5G
- More powerful Dimensity 700 chipset
- Potentially better thermal management
- Slightly better 5G modem performance
- Realme UI can be divisive
- Camera performance likely similar to Oppo A74 5G
Oppo A74 5G
- Oppo’s ColorOS offers a feature-rich experience
- Potentially more refined software experience
- Similar camera capabilities to Realme Q3i 5G
- Less powerful Snapdragon 480 chipset
- Potentially more throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither Realme nor Oppo provide display specifications beyond the basic information. Assuming both utilize standard LCD panels common in this price bracket, the display experience will likely be similar. However, the chipset’s ability to drive the display smoothly is where the Q3i’s Dimensity 700 could offer a slight advantage in animations and scrolling. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of budget devices.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the price point, both phones likely feature a primary sensor around 48MP. The Snapdragon 480 includes a triple ISP, which *could* translate to slightly better image processing capabilities, but this is heavily reliant on Oppo’s software tuning. The Realme Q3i 5G’s Dimensity 700 also has capable image signal processing, but the real-world difference will likely be minimal. The inclusion of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices is largely marketing fluff and shouldn’t heavily influence purchasing decisions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Q3i 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores alongside 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the Oppo A74 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) with 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460 cores. The 7nm process of the Dimensity 700 generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal performance, allowing for sustained performance during longer gaming sessions. This means the Q3i is more likely to maintain higher clock speeds without significant throttling. While both support 5G, the Dimensity 700’s integrated modem is often cited as offering slightly faster and more reliable 5G connectivity.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – approximately 2-2.5 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but typical capacities for phones in this segment range from 5000mAh to 6000mAh. The Dimensity 700’s superior power efficiency could potentially translate to slightly longer battery life on the Realme Q3i 5G, offsetting any potential capacity differences. However, real-world battery life is heavily dependent on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q3i 5G if you need a phone that can handle demanding apps and light gaming with relative ease, and if you value a more responsive user experience. Buy the Oppo A74 5G if you prioritize a potentially more refined software experience (Oppo’s ColorOS is known for its features) and are less concerned with raw processing power, focusing instead on basic smartphone tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme Q3i 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Dimensity 700 chipset in the Realme Q3i 5G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won’t deliver a flagship gaming experience, it offers a significantly better gaming performance than the Snapdragon 480 in the Oppo A74 5G, especially during prolonged gaming sessions due to better thermal management.
❓ Does the Oppo A74 5G’s ColorOS offer significant advantages over Realme UI?
Oppo’s ColorOS is known for its extensive customization options and feature set, including gesture navigation and various convenience features. Realme UI is generally considered lighter and closer to stock Android, but lacks some of the advanced features found in ColorOS. The preference between the two is largely subjective.
❓ How much faster is the 5G connectivity on the Realme Q3i 5G compared to the Oppo A74 5G?
The Dimensity 700’s integrated 5G modem generally offers slightly faster and more stable 5G connections compared to the Snapdragon 480’s modem. However, the actual difference in real-world speeds will depend on network conditions and carrier support.
