Umidigi A13S vs Realme C35: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Shoppers

The Umidigi A13S and Realme C35 represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they diverge in key areas like processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme C35 is the better choice. While both phones utilize Unisoc Tiger chipsets, the C35’s octa-core T616 provides a noticeable performance advantage over the A13S’s quad-core T310. The 18W charging is also a significant benefit, reducing downtime compared to the A13S’s slower 10W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi A13S Realme C35
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced20222022, February 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Available. Released 2022, February 14
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions168 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.61 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)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Panda Glass
Resolution720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUQuad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc Tiger T310 (12nm)Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8300Mali-G57 MP1
OSAndroid 11Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired
Type5150 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Black, Sunglow Gold, Galaxy BlueGlowing Black, Glowing Green
Models-RMX3511
Price-£ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     1.13 W/kg (body)

Umidigi A13S

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Functional for basic tasks
  • May have slightly longer battery life (depending on capacity)

  • Slower processor
  • Slower charging speed
  • Less responsive multitasking

Realme C35

  • Faster processor for smoother performance
  • Significantly faster 18W charging
  • Better multitasking capabilities

  • Likely slightly higher price
  • May have slightly shorter battery life (depending on capacity)
  • Potentially less RAM (depending on configuration)

Display Comparison

Neither Umidigi nor Realme provide display specifications beyond the basic panel type. Given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of details like peak brightness or color gamut coverage suggests neither phone will excel in outdoor visibility or color accuracy. Bezels are expected to be relatively substantial on both devices, consistent with their budget positioning. The focus here is clearly on cost reduction, not display quality.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are unavailable for either device. However, given the market segment, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups. The emphasis will likely be on a primary sensor for daylight photography, with limited low-light performance. Any secondary sensors (often 2MP macro or depth sensors) are unlikely to contribute significantly to image quality. Image processing will likely prioritize speed over detail, resulting in acceptable but not exceptional photos. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult, but the Realme C35’s slightly more powerful chipset *may* allow for faster image processing.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616, with its octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), offers a substantial advantage over the Umidigi A13S’s quad-core Unisoc Tiger T310 (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). The additional cores in the T616 translate to better multitasking and smoother performance in demanding applications. While both are built on a 12nm process, the architectural advantage of the T616 is clear. Users who frequently switch between apps or play casual games will experience a more responsive experience on the Realme C35. RAM configurations are not specified, but the chipset difference will be the dominant factor.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Realme C35’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Umidigi A13S’s 10W charging. This translates to considerably faster charging times, reducing downtime. Even if the A13S has a slightly larger battery capacity, the C35’s faster charging will likely result in a more convenient user experience. Users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their phone throughout the day will greatly benefit from the C35’s faster charging capabilities.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi A13S if your primary need is a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and you prioritize minimizing upfront cost. Buy the Realme C35 if you value smoother multitasking, slightly improved gaming performance, and significantly faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Realme C35 handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset in the Realme C35 is more than capable of handling everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and web browsing without significant lag. The octa-core configuration provides sufficient processing power for these common tasks.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Umidigi A13S painfully slow in 2024?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take several hours. While acceptable for overnight charging, it’s inconvenient if you need a quick top-up during the day. The Realme C35’s 18W charging is a much more practical solution.
❓ Can either of these phones run PUBG Mobile, and if so, at what settings?
PUBG Mobile is playable on both devices, but expect to run it at the lowest graphics settings and potentially with a lower frame rate. The Realme C35 will offer a slightly smoother experience due to its more powerful chipset, but neither phone is designed for demanding gaming.
❓ What type of storage does the Realme C35 use, and is it expandable?
While not explicitly stated, budget Realme phones typically use eMMC storage. Expandability via microSD card is highly likely, given the target market, but confirm the maximum supported capacity before purchasing.