The Realme XT 730G and Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime represent compelling options in the budget-to-midrange smartphone space. While both aim to deliver a feature-rich experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this. The XT 730G prioritizes processing power with its Snapdragon 730G, while the M31 Prime focuses on a larger battery and Samsung’s software ecosystem.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and gaming, the Realme XT 730G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 730G chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Exynos 9611 in the M31 Prime. However, those who value extended battery life and Samsung’s One UI will find the M31 Prime a suitable alternative.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2020, October 14. Released 2020, October 17 |
| Status | Cancelled | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 75.2 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, ColorOS 6 | Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@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, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
|---|
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 150 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 1 h 30 min |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl White, Pearl Blue | Ocean Blue, Space Black, Iceberg Blue |
| Models | - | SM-M315F/DS |
| Price | - | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.38 W/kg (head) |
Realme XT 730G
- Superior processing power with Snapdragon 730G
- Faster 30W charging
- More efficient chipset for better thermal management
- Potentially smaller battery capacity
- Samsung's software ecosystem is absent
Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime
- Likely larger battery capacity for extended runtime
- Samsung’s One UI offers a feature-rich experience
- Established brand reputation
- Slower Exynos 9611 processor
- Slower 15W charging
- Less efficient chipset prone to throttling
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) aren't provided, the focus here is on performance. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of color accuracy or brightness. However, the chipset powering the Realme XT 730G will likely contribute to smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the perceived visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of a 2MP macro lens (which is generally of limited utility), a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Snapdragon 730G’s ISP is more advanced, offering better image processing capabilities, particularly in low-light conditions. While the M31 Prime may rely on software enhancements, the underlying hardware advantage of the 730G will likely result in sharper, more detailed photos. The absence of OIS information suggests neither phone prioritizes optical image stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme XT 730G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (8nm) is architecturally superior to the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime’s Exynos 9611 (10nm). The 730G utilizes Kryo 470 cores – a mix of performance (Gold) and efficiency (Silver) – offering a balanced approach. The Exynos 9611, with its Cortex-A73 and A53 cores, is older and less efficient. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 730G translates to better thermal efficiency, meaning the XT 730G is less likely to throttle under sustained load, benefiting gamers and power users. This difference is significant for tasks like video editing or running graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime likely has a larger battery capacity, a common Samsung strategy. However, the Realme XT 730G compensates with significantly faster 30W wired charging compared to the M31 Prime’s 15W charging. This means the XT 730G can replenish its battery much quicker, mitigating the impact of a potentially smaller battery size. A user prioritizing quick top-ups will heavily favor the XT 730G, while those needing maximum runtime between charges might lean towards the M31 Prime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme XT 730G if you need a phone that can handle demanding apps and games smoothly, and if fast charging is a priority. It’s ideal for users who frequently multitask or enjoy mobile gaming. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime if you prefer a larger battery capacity for all-day use, and if you’re already invested in the Samsung ecosystem and appreciate One UI’s features and customization options.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to struggle with thermal throttling under sustained load. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles will likely result in frame drops and reduced performance as the chip heats up. The 10nm process node is less efficient than the 8nm node in the Snapdragon 730G, contributing to this issue.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than providing a genuinely useful photographic experience. Expect soft, noisy images from both devices when using the macro mode.
❓ Can the Realme XT 730G handle PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings?
The Snapdragon 730G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps with high graphics settings, but it depends on the specific device configuration and thermal conditions. You may need to adjust settings slightly to maintain a stable frame rate during extended gaming sessions. The 730G's superior thermal management will help prevent significant throttling.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime with the included 15W charger?
With its 15W charging, the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%, depending on the battery capacity. This is significantly slower than the Realme XT 730G’s 30W charging, which can achieve a full charge in approximately 60-75 minutes.
