The sub-£150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Samsung Galaxy M11, while an older model, remains available and represents a baseline for budget expectations. The Realme C33 2023 enters the fray with a newer chipset, aiming to disrupt the established order. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which offers the best value for money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C33 2023 is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, delivers noticeably improved performance over the Samsung Galaxy M11’s Snapdragon 450. While charging is slower, the performance gains justify the trade-off for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 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 | 2020, March 30. Released 2020, May 4 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 76.3 x 9 mm (6.35 x 3.00 x 0.35 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 | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~81.6% 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 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 | Android 12, Realme UI S |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Metallic Blue, Violet | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | SM-M115F, SM-M115F/DSN, SM-M115M, SM-M115M/DS | RMX3627 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 3GB RAM | £ 129.00 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | £ 149.99 | - |
| RENEWED | £ 177.00 | - |
Samsung Galaxy M11
- Faster 15W charging
- Established Samsung brand
- Potentially lower price (depending on retailer)
- Older, less efficient Snapdragon 450 chipset
- Slower app loading and multitasking
- Likely less refined software experience
Realme C33 2023
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset
- Improved CPU architecture for better performance
- More power-efficient 12nm process
- Slower 10W charging
- Less established brand reputation
- Potentially less software support long-term
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable. The Realme C33’s design focuses on aesthetics, but without display specs, it’s difficult to assess visual quality beyond subjective impressions. The M11’s display is likely adequate for basic viewing, but won’t impress.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups focused on affordability. Without detailed sensor information beyond the presence of a 2MP macro lens (which is largely irrelevant), it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The Realme C33 2023 likely benefits from newer image processing algorithms, potentially offering slightly improved image quality in good lighting conditions. However, low-light performance will likely be similar on both devices. Focusing on the main sensor resolution would be more informative, but that data is missing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C33 2023’s Unisoc Tiger T612, fabricated on a 12nm process, represents a significant architectural leap over the Samsung Galaxy M11’s 14nm Snapdragon 450. The T612’s CPU configuration – featuring two Cortex-A75 cores alongside six A55 cores – provides a performance boost in single-core and multi-core tasks compared to the M11’s all-Cortex-A53 setup. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both have 3GB/4GB RAM options, the superior chipset will better utilize available memory. The Snapdragon 450 is known for its limitations in demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Realme C33 2023’s 10W charging is slower than the Samsung Galaxy M11’s 15W charging. However, the Unisoc T612’s 12nm process is more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 450’s 14nm process. This means the Realme C33 2023 will likely offer comparable, if not slightly better, real-world battery life despite the slower charging speed. The difference in charging time from 0-100% will be noticeable, but the improved efficiency could offset this for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M11 if you prioritize brand recognition and are looking for the absolute cheapest option for basic smartphone functionality – calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you value smoother performance for multitasking, app loading, and occasional gaming, and are willing to accept slightly slower charging in exchange for a more responsive user experience.
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 improved CPU architecture and efficiency will provide a smoother experience compared to the Snapdragon 450 in the Samsung Galaxy M11, especially when multitasking.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Realme C33 2023 a significant drawback?
While 10W charging is slower than the M11’s 15W, the T612’s efficiency means you won’t be constantly needing to top up. Expect a full charge to take longer, but the battery should last a full day with moderate use. Prioritize overnight charging to mitigate the slower speed.
❓ 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 don't expect high frame rates or maximum graphics settings. The Unisoc T612 is a step up from the Snapdragon 450, allowing for playable performance at lower settings. The M11 would likely struggle significantly with these titles.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Realme C33 2023 and the Samsung Galaxy M11?
The Realme C33 2023 runs Realme UI, which is based on Android. It's generally considered more feature-rich and customizable than Samsung's older software on the M11. However, Samsung typically offers longer software support, though the M11 is nearing the end of its update cycle.
