The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Tecno Spark Go 1 and the Realme C51s aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take slightly different approaches, with Realme prioritizing charging speed and Tecno focusing on a more conservative, balanced approach. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C51s is the better choice. While both phones utilize the Unisoc T615/T612 platform, the C51s’ significantly faster 33W charging – capable of reaching 50% in just 28 minutes – is a game-changer for convenience. The slightly faster Cortex-A55 cores also provide a minor performance edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 19 | 2024, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) | 167.2 x 76.7 x 7.5 mm (6.58 x 3.02 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T615 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition), HIOS 14 | Android 13, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired, 0-50% in 28 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Startrail Black, Glittery White | Shiny Green, Mighty Black |
| Models | - | RMX3765 |
| Price | $ 172.85 | About 100 EUR |
Tecno Spark Go 1
- Potentially more stable software experience
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Slow 15W charging
- Likely less optimized software
Realme C51s
- Significantly faster 33W charging
- Slightly faster Cortex-A55 cores
- Potentially more refined software experience
- May require more frequent charging due to potentially smaller battery
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
Neither Tecno nor Realme provide detailed display specifications beyond basic resolution. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is expected. Bezels are likely comparable, prioritizing cost reduction over premium aesthetics. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment, leaning towards vibrant but not necessarily color-accurate reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, relying heavily on software processing. Both phones will likely feature a primary camera (spec not provided, assumed 13-50MP) and potentially a depth sensor. The image processing style will likely differ – Realme often favors brighter, more saturated images, while Tecno may lean towards a more natural look. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of autofocus.
Performance
Both devices are powered by Unisoc 12nm octa-core chipsets. The Realme C51s features the Unisoc Tiger T612, with 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, while the Tecno Spark Go 1 uses the Unisoc T615, with 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The slightly higher clock speed on the C51s’ Cortex-A55 cores suggests a marginal performance advantage in multi-threaded tasks. However, the real-world difference will be minimal. Both rely on similar RAM configurations (spec not provided, assumed 3-4GB), and thermal management will likely be passive, meaning sustained performance will be limited by heat dissipation.
Battery Life
The Realme C51s’ 33W wired charging is the standout feature. Achieving 0-50% charge in 28 minutes is a significant advantage over the Tecno Spark Go 1’s 15W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the C51s mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. Users who frequently top up their phones will greatly benefit from the C51s’ charging speed. The Tecno Spark Go 1 will offer longer unplugged time, but at the cost of significantly slower recharge times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark Go 1 if you prioritize a consistently stable experience and aren't concerned with rapid charging. It's ideal for first-time smartphone users or those needing a reliable secondary device. Buy the Realme C51s if you value quick top-ups and appreciate the convenience of faster charging, even if it means potentially slightly more aggressive power management to compensate for the smaller battery (spec not provided, assumed similar to Tecno).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T612 in the Realme C51s handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T612 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (Balanced or Low) to maintain a stable frame rate. Sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling, so long gaming sessions may result in frame drops.
❓ How does the 33W charging on the Realme C51s compare to standard 18W charging?
33W charging is significantly faster than 18W. The Realme C51s can reach 50% charge in approximately 28 minutes, while an 18W charger would likely take over an hour. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ Is the software experience on the Realme C51s heavily customized?
Realme UI, based on Android, is moderately customized. It includes features like system-wide dark mode, customizable themes, and gesture navigation. While it's not a stock Android experience, it's generally considered user-friendly and offers a good balance of features and customization options.
❓ Does the Tecno Spark Go 1 support OTG storage?
While not explicitly stated, Tecno phones in this price range typically support OTG (On-The-Go) storage, allowing you to connect a USB flash drive or external hard drive for expanded storage. However, performance may be limited by the USB 2.0 interface.
