The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the older Samsung Galaxy A7 Duos and the newer Realme C25Y. Let's see which phone delivers the best experience for your hard-earned cash.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C25Y edges out the A7 Duos thanks to its more modern chipset, improved efficiency, and faster charging. While the A7 Duos boasts impressive battery endurance on paper, the C25Y's overall package is more compelling for today's user.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A700YD, A700H | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A700YD | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, January. Released 2015, February | 2021, September 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 151 x 76.2 x 6.3 mm (5.94 x 3.00 x 0.25 in) | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 141 g (4.97 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 405 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.4.4 (KitKat) | Android 11, Realme UI R |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, 28mm (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (A700YD) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS/ BDS (market dependant) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Music play | Up to 54 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl White, Midnight Black, Champagne Gold | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray |
| Models | SM-A7000, SM-A7009, SM-A700H, SM-A700YD | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 |
| Price | About 300 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | 1.25 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.29 W/kg (head) 0.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -95.2dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 83h
| - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 3.679 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 64dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 73dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 813Basemark X: 4802 | - |
Samsung Galaxy A7 Duos
- Exceptional battery life (on paper)
- Super AMOLED display (vibrant colors)
- Dual SIM support
- Outdated chipset
- Slower performance
- No fast charging
Realme C25Y
- Modern chipset (Unisoc T610)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Larger display
- Better performance
- IPS LCD display (less vibrant than AMOLED)
- Battery life slightly less than A7 Duos (on paper)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A7 Duos features a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Realme C25Y has a 6.43-inch IPS LCD display. While the A7 Duos' AMOLED offers superior contrast, the C25Y's larger size might be preferable for media consumption. Sunlight readability tests show the A7 Duos with a 3.679 rating, suggesting decent visibility, but the C25Y's IPS panel is generally good in bright conditions.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A7 Duos typically features a 13MP main camera, with additional lenses for wider angles. The Realme C25Y usually includes a 48MP main camera, offering more detail in well-lit conditions. Image processing and low-light performance are likely to be better on the C25Y due to its newer hardware and software.
Performance
Here's where the Realme C25Y shines. Its Unisoc T610 chipset, built on a 12nm process, is significantly more efficient than the A7 Duos' Snapdragon 615 (28nm). The C25Y's Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable boost in performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. The A7 Duos, while capable, will feel slower and less responsive by comparison.
Battery Life
The A7 Duos boasts an impressive endurance rating of 83 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. However, the Realme C25Y's more efficient chipset and 5000mAh battery still provide excellent longevity, and its 18W fast charging capability offers a significant advantage when topping up.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A7 Duos is a good choice for users prioritizing extreme battery life and are comfortable with an older device. The Realme C25Y is ideal for those seeking a smoother, more responsive experience with a modern chipset and faster charging, even if battery life is slightly less extreme.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A7 Duos still worth buying?
If battery life is your absolute top priority and you can tolerate an older device, it might be. However, the Realme C25Y offers a more modern and generally better experience.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme C25Y is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and optimized software.
