The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Tecno Pop 2 Plus and the Realme C33 2023 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly low price point. However, significant differences in chipset architecture and features mean one offers a substantially better user experience than the other.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Realme C33 2023 is the clear winner. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset provides a significantly more responsive experience for everyday tasks and even light gaming, despite the slower 10W charging. The Tecno Pop 2 Plus struggles with performance due to its aging Mediatek MT6580P.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 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 | 161.7 x 78.9 x 9.6 mm (6.37 x 3.11 x 0.38 in) | 164.2 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~72.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580P | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) | Android 12, Realme UI S |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSD | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 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, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Champagne Gold, Nebula Black | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | BA2, RB8S | RMX3627 |
| Price | - | About 110 EUR |
Tecno Pop 2 Plus
- Lowest possible price point
- Potentially longer standby time (due to less powerful processor)
- Simple and easy to use
- Extremely slow performance
- Outdated chipset
- Poor multitasking capabilities
Realme C33 2023
- Significantly faster performance
- More responsive user experience
- Modern chipset architecture
- Slower 10W charging
- May cost slightly more than the Tecno Pop 2 Plus
- Still a basic smartphone experience
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data, we can assume both utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The Realme C33 2023’s advantage isn’t in panel technology, but likely in optimization. The Tecno Pop 2 Plus, with its older chipset, may struggle to efficiently drive even a basic display, potentially leading to lower brightness and less accurate color reproduction. Bezels are likely substantial on both devices, reflecting the cost-cutting measures.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume the Realme C33 2023 has a slight edge due to its more powerful image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Unisoc T612. This ISP will likely deliver better image processing, resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in good lighting conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Realme C33 2023’s Unisoc Tiger T612, built on a 12nm process, is a modern octa-core processor featuring two Cortex-A75 performance cores and six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. This architecture provides a substantial boost over the Tecno Pop 2 Plus’s Mediatek MT6580P, a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor. The A75 cores in the Realme C33 enable faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable experience with demanding applications. The MT6580P is simply too dated to provide a fluid experience in 2024. While RAM specifics are missing, the chipset difference will be the dominant factor.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely fall in the 5000mAh range, common for budget smartphones. However, the Realme C33 2023’s 10W charging is slower than what some competitors offer. The Tecno Pop 2 Plus’s charging speed is unknown, but given its older hardware, it’s unlikely to be significantly faster. The more efficient Unisoc T612 in the Realme C33 may offset the slower charging somewhat, providing longer overall usage times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pop 2 Plus if your absolute priority is minimizing cost and you only need a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and very light app usage. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you want a phone that feels reasonably responsive for social media, web browsing, and occasional gaming, and you're willing to spend a little more for a smoother experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C33 2023 handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset in the Realme C33 2023 is capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant lag. The Cortex-A75 cores provide enough processing power for these everyday tasks, unlike the Tecno Pop 2 Plus which will struggle.
❓ Is the Realme C33 2023 suitable for playing mobile games?
The Realme C33 2023 can handle light gaming, such as casual puzzle games or older titles. However, demanding games like PUBG Mobile will likely require low graphics settings and may still experience occasional frame drops. The Tecno Pop 2 Plus is not recommended for gaming due to its severely limited processing power.
❓ How much storage does each phone offer, and can it be expanded?
Storage details are not provided. However, both phones likely offer a base storage option of 32GB or 64GB, with microSD card support for expansion. This is typical for devices in this price range.
❓ What kind of software experience can I expect on each device?
Both phones likely run a customized version of Android (Go Edition) to optimize performance on limited hardware. Expect a simplified user interface and pre-installed apps. Realme's UI is generally considered more polished than Tecno's HiOS, but both will include some level of bloatware.
