The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Samsung Galaxy F04 and Realme C33 2023 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best overall experience for the average user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C33 2023 emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy F04’s Helio P35, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While the F04 offers the Samsung brand recognition, the C33’s superior processing power justifies the slight trade-offs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 04 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 12 | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) | 164.2 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 12, One UI | Android 12, Realme UI S |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 720p@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 | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Jade Purple, Opal Green | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | SM-E045F, SM-E045F/DS | RMX3627 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.38 W/kg (head) | - |
Samsung Galaxy F04
- Samsung brand recognition and software support
- 15W wired charging for faster top-ups
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Less powerful Helio P35 chipset
- Potentially slower app loading and multitasking
- Likely less efficient power consumption
Realme C33 2023
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset with Cortex-A75 cores
- Smoother multitasking and app responsiveness
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Slower 10W wired charging
- Less established brand reputation
- Realme’s UI can be more feature-rich (and potentially bloated)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. While specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable, the focus here is on functionality rather than visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be relatively thick on both, contributing to a larger overall footprint. The Realme C33’s slightly larger screen size (6.5 inches vs. 6.4 inches on the F04) may offer a marginally more immersive viewing experience, but the difference is unlikely to be significant.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance in this price bracket is rarely a standout feature. Both phones likely feature a primary camera accompanied by lower-resolution auxiliary lenses (often 2MP depth or macro sensors). Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, image processing algorithms play a significant role, and Realme generally offers more aggressive image enhancement. The focus should be on the primary sensor’s capabilities in good lighting conditions, as low-light performance will likely be limited on both devices. The 2MP macro cameras on both are largely marketing features and offer limited practical utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C33 2023’s Unisoc Tiger T612 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture with 2x Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz, paired with 6x Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Samsung Galaxy F04’s MediaTek Helio P35, which employs 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 2.35 GHz and 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz. While the Helio P35 has a higher clock speed on some cores, the Cortex-A75 cores in the T612 offer significantly better single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness. This translates to faster app launch times and smoother multitasking on the Realme C33. The T612 also benefits from a more efficient architecture, potentially leading to better sustained performance under load. Both devices likely feature similar RAM configurations, but the chipset difference will be the dominant factor.
Battery Life
The Realme C33 2023’s 10W charging is slower than the Samsung Galaxy F04’s 15W charging. However, the more efficient Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset in the C33 may offset this difference in real-world usage. A full charge on the F04 will be quicker, but the C33 may offer comparable battery life due to its lower power consumption. Both phones are expected to comfortably last a full day with moderate usage, focusing on tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media browsing. The difference in charging speed will be most noticeable for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F04 if you prioritize brand familiarity and a simple, straightforward Android experience. It’s a solid option for first-time smartphone users or those who primarily need a device for basic communication. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you value performance and responsiveness, especially if you plan to use your phone for more than just calls and texts – light gaming, social media, and multitasking will benefit from the more powerful chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C33 2023 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
No, the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset is more than capable of handling everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable performance boost over the Helio P35, ensuring a smoother and more responsive experience even with multiple apps open.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Realme C33 2023 a significant drawback compared to the Samsung Galaxy F04’s 15W charging?
While 15W charging is faster, the Realme C33 2023’s more efficient chipset may partially offset this difference. You’ll notice the slower charging speed primarily if you frequently top up your phone throughout the day. For overnight charging, the difference will be minimal.
❓ Can the Realme C33 2023 handle light gaming, like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Realme C33 2023 can handle light gaming, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve playable frame rates. The Unisoc Tiger T612 is a step up from the Helio P35, but it’s still an entry-level chipset. Expect moderate performance with reduced visual fidelity.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy F04 receive regular software updates and security patches?
Samsung generally provides better software support than many other brands in this price segment. While the F04 is an entry-level device, it’s likely to receive at least some security updates and potentially one major Android version upgrade. However, the update schedule may be less frequent than on Samsung’s flagship devices.
