The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Spark 10 and Realme C55 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to performance and charging speed. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to reveal which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C55 emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G88 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Tecno Spark 10’s Helio G37, and the significantly faster 33W charging dramatically improves usability. While both offer similar battery endurance, the C55’s charging speed is a key differentiator.
| 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 | 2023, March 23 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.4 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.33 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 | - | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.7% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, HIOS 12 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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 | 18W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Skin Orange | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | KI5q | RMX3710 |
| Price | € 151.38 / ₹ 9,899 | ₹ 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 Spark 10
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Slower processor (Helio G37)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Likely less responsive user experience
Realme C55
- Faster processor (Helio G88)
- Significantly faster charging (33W)
- Brighter display (659 nits)
- More responsive user experience
- May be slightly more expensive
- Similar battery endurance to the Spark 10
Display Comparison
Both the Tecno Spark 10 and Realme C55 feature displays with a 1264:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Realme C55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 659 nits, a significant advantage over what we can infer for the Spark 10. This higher brightness translates to better outdoor visibility. While both lack high refresh rates, the C55’s brighter panel provides a more pleasant viewing experience in various lighting conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the context data lacks specifics. Given the price point, we can assume both rely on primary sensors with modest resolutions. Without detailed sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Realme’s image processing algorithms generally lean towards more vibrant and shareable images, potentially giving the C55 an edge in image quality. The absence of details on OIS or advanced features suggests both cameras are best suited for well-lit conditions.
Performance
The Realme C55’s Mediatek Helio G88 chipset represents a clear upgrade over the Tecno Spark 10’s Helio G37. The G88 utilizes two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside six A55 cores, compared to the G37’s four A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and four A53 cores at 1.7 GHz. The A75 cores offer significantly better single-core performance, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While the G37’s higher clock speed on the A53 cores might offer a slight advantage in sustained, multi-threaded workloads, the G88’s architecture is more efficient for everyday tasks. The Realme C55 will provide a more responsive experience.
Battery Life
Both the Tecno Spark 10 and Realme C55 achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Realme C55’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer. It can reach 50% charge in just 29 minutes, while the Tecno Spark 10’s 18W charging will take considerably longer. This faster charging significantly reduces downtime and makes the C55 more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark 10 if your primary need is a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and you prioritize minimizing upfront cost. Buy the Realme C55 if you value a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and the convenience of rapid charging, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme C55’s Helio G88 chipset capable of handling popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G88 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to use medium graphics settings for a smooth experience. The G88’s CPU and GPU are a step up from the G37, providing a more stable frame rate, but it’s not a gaming powerhouse.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Tecno Spark 10 with the 18W charger?
While Tecno doesn't provide an exact 0-100% charging time, expect it to take around 2.5 to 3 hours to fully charge the Tecno Spark 10 with the included 18W charger. This is significantly slower than the Realme C55’s 33W charging.
❓ Does the Realme C55 support reverse charging?
No, the Realme C55 does not support reverse charging. This means you cannot use it to charge other devices like wireless earbuds or smartwatches.
❓ What type of storage does the Realme C55 use – UFS or eMMC?
While not explicitly stated, Realme typically uses eMMC storage in this price segment. This means read/write speeds will be slower compared to UFS storage, potentially impacting app loading times and file transfers.
