The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Pova 3 and Realme C55 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C55 edges out the Tecno Pova 3 thanks to its slightly faster charging, brighter display, and potentially better camera performance. While both share the same chipset, Realme's optimizations and display quality give it a slight advantage for most users.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 25 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 25 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 173.1 x 78.5 x 9.4 mm (6.81 x 3.09 x 0.37 in) | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 230 g (8.11 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| | RGB notification light stripe on the back (Electric Blue model only) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~389 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 113.1 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth)
0.08 MP | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired
10W reverse wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | 7000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Electric Blue, Tech Silver, Eco Black | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | LF7n | RMX3710 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | ₹ 8,399 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 257263 (v9)
GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6)
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Pova 3
- Large Battery
- Reverse Wired Charging
- Competitive Price
- Decent Gaming Performance
- Potentially Dimmer Display
- Unspecified Charging Time
- Camera Performance Unknown
Realme C55
- Brighter Display
- Faster Charging (50% in 29 min)
- Potentially Better Camera
- Clean UI
- May Lack Reverse Charging
- Price Slightly Higher (potentially)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar displays with a 1264:1 contrast ratio. However, the Realme C55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 659 nits, significantly brighter than the Pova 3, offering better visibility in sunlight. The Realme C55's display also likely has better color accuracy and calibration.
Camera Comparison
While both are listed as 'Photo / Video', the Realme C55 is generally expected to have a slightly better camera system due to Realme's focus on camera improvements in their C-series. Expect better image processing and potentially more detail in photos taken with the Realme C55. Specific megapixel counts and features are needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
Both devices utilize the Mediatek Helio G88 chipset, meaning raw processing power will be comparable. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization. Realme often has a slightly cleaner and more responsive UI, potentially giving it a slight edge in perceived speed.
Battery Life
The Realme C55 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 123 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Tecno Pova 3 also has good battery life, but the Realme C55 appears to have a slight advantage. The Realme C55 also charges faster, reaching 50% in 29 minutes with its 33W charging, compared to the Pova 3's unspecified time.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Pova 3 is ideal for gamers and users prioritizing a large battery and reverse charging capabilities. The Realme C55 is a better choice for those who value a vibrant display, faster charging, and a potentially more refined camera experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones are capable of handling casual games. The Tecno Pova 3's larger battery might be preferable for longer gaming sessions, but the Realme C55's potentially smoother UI could offer a slightly better experience.
❓ Does the Tecno Pova 3 support reverse charging?
Yes, the Tecno Pova 3 supports 10W reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices using the phone's battery.
