The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Tecno Spark 9T and Realme C35 aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily in their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C35 is the better choice. While both phones share a similar price bracket, the C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset offers a more balanced CPU performance profile, and its 18W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Spark 9T’s slower 10W charging.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 20 | 2022, February 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July | Available. Released 2022, February 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12, HIOS 8.6 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lenses | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Quantum Black, Burano Blue, Particle Silver, Vitality Green | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
| Models | KH6 | RMX3511 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Spark 9T
- Potentially wider offline availability due to Tecno's distribution network.
- May offer a slightly more aggressive price point in certain markets.
- Simple and straightforward user interface.
- Slower 10W charging is a significant drawback.
- Helio G37 chipset offers less responsive multitasking.
- Limited information on display quality.
Realme C35
- Faster 18W charging reduces downtime.
- Unisoc Tiger T616 provides better CPU performance.
- More modern chipset architecture for improved efficiency.
- Unisoc chipsets may have less software optimization compared to MediaTek.
- Realme’s software can include pre-installed bloatware.
- Camera performance is likely similar to the Tecno Spark 9T.
Display Comparison
Neither Tecno nor Realme provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. Assuming both utilize standard IPS LCD panels, the display experience will likely be similar. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO suggests a focus on cost reduction. Bezels are expected to be moderate, typical for this price segment. Color accuracy will likely be standard for budget panels, requiring calibration for professional use.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are lacking for both devices. However, given the price point, expectations should be tempered. Both likely feature a primary camera and depth/macro sensors. The Realme C35’s image processing algorithms may offer slightly better dynamic range and color reproduction due to Unisoc’s advancements in image signal processing. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means low-light performance will rely heavily on software processing. The 2MP macro cameras found on many phones in this segment are generally of limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616 features 2x Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with 6x Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This configuration provides a performance boost in single-threaded tasks and smoother multitasking compared to the Tecno Spark 9T’s MediaTek Helio G37. The G37 utilizes 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz. While the G37’s higher clock speed on the A53 cores might show a slight advantage in certain benchmarks, the A75 cores in the T616 offer superior architectural efficiency and responsiveness. Both chipsets are fabricated on a 12nm process, suggesting similar thermal characteristics, but the T616’s architecture is more modern.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, both phones likely house around a 5000mAh battery, standard for this price range. The critical difference is charging speed. The Realme C35 supports 18W wired charging, enabling significantly faster top-ups compared to the Tecno Spark 9T’s 10W charging. This translates to a noticeable difference in usability for users who frequently need to recharge their devices. A full 0-100% charge on the C35 could take around 2 hours, while the Spark 9T may require over 3 hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark 9T if you prioritize a brand with established offline presence and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the Realme C35 if you value slightly better CPU performance for multitasking and a significantly faster charging experience, making it ideal for users who are frequently on the go and need to quickly top up their battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Realme C35 capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it’s sufficient for casual gaming sessions. The Helio G37 in the Spark 9T will offer a similar experience, but the T616’s architecture may provide slightly more consistent performance.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Tecno Spark 9T with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, a full 0-100% charge on the Tecno Spark 9T will likely take between 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is considerably slower than the Realme C35’s 18W charging, which can achieve a full charge in around 2 hours.
❓ Does the Realme C35 support reverse charging, allowing it to charge other devices?
No, the Realme C35 does not support reverse charging. This feature is typically found on higher-end smartphones and is not common in this price segment.
❓ What type of USB port do both phones use – Micro-USB or USB-C?
Both the Tecno Spark 9T and Realme C35 utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. This is a welcome feature at this price point, offering faster data transfer speeds and a more universal connector.
