Umidigi F3 SE vs Realme Narzo 50i Prime: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The Umidigi F3 SE and Realme Narzo 50i Prime represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices leverage Unisoc chipsets to deliver basic functionality, but subtle differences in features and capabilities can significantly impact the user experience. This comparison dissects these phones to determine which offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing basic smartphone functions, the Realme Narzo 50i Prime edges out the Umidigi F3 SE. While performance is nearly identical due to the similar Unisoc chipsets, the Narzo 50i Prime’s inclusion of reverse wired charging adds a layer of utility absent in the F3 SE, making it a more versatile option.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi F3 SE Realme Narzo 50i Prime
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 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, June 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Available. Released 2022, June 27
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions168.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.63 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)164.1 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)182 g (6.42 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 400 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc T610 (12 nm)Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MP2Mali-G57
OSAndroid 11Android 11, Realme UI Go
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual20 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, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C, OTGmicroUSB 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassAccelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired Reverse wired
Type5150 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsHawaii Blue, Matte Silver, Starry Black, Sunglow Gold, Galaxy BlueDark Blue, Mint Green
Models-RMX3506
Price-About 90 EUR

Umidigi F3 SE

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Simple, straightforward user experience
  • Adequate performance for basic tasks

  • Lacks reverse charging functionality
  • Likely limited software support
  • Basic camera performance

Realme Narzo 50i Prime

  • Reverse wired charging for added utility
  • Slightly newer Unisoc T612 chipset
  • Potentially better software optimization

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • 10W charging is slow
  • Basic camera performance

Display Comparison

Neither Umidigi nor Realme provide display specifications beyond the basic panel type. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The absence of details like peak brightness or color gamut suggests neither phone excels in display quality. Expect adequate, but not impressive, viewing experiences. Bezels are likely substantial on both devices, contributing to a larger overall footprint.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse for both devices. It's safe to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor. Given the market segment, image quality will be basic, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means relying heavily on software processing for stabilization. The usefulness of any secondary macro camera is questionable, as sensor resolution is likely very low. The Realme Narzo 50i Prime may have a slight edge due to potential software optimizations, but a significant difference in image quality is unlikely.

Performance

Both the Umidigi F3 SE and Realme Narzo 50i Prime are powered by Unisoc chipsets featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with the same core arrangement: 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55. However, the Narzo 50i Prime utilizes the Unisoc Tiger T612, a slightly newer iteration. While the architectural differences are minimal, the T612 may offer marginally improved efficiency and potentially slightly better GPU performance. Both phones will handle basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light app usage adequately, but will struggle with demanding games or heavy multitasking. RAM configurations are not specified, but are likely limited, further impacting multitasking capabilities.

Battery Life

Both phones feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. A full 0-100% charge will likely take over 2 hours. Battery capacity is not specified, but is likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range, providing all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Realme Narzo 50i Prime distinguishes itself with reverse wired charging, allowing it to function as a power bank for other devices. This is a valuable feature for users who frequently travel or rely on accessories that require charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi F3 SE if you need a strictly no-frills smartphone focused solely on core functionality and are prioritizing the absolute lowest possible price. Buy the Realme Narzo 50i Prime if you prefer a device with added convenience features like reverse charging, allowing you to top up accessories or share power with a friend in a pinch, even if it means a slightly higher initial investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Unisoc T612 in the Realme Narzo 50i Prime noticeably faster than the T610 in the Umidigi F3 SE for everyday tasks?
While the T612 is a newer chipset, the performance difference in everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging will be minimal. Both chips are designed for entry-level smartphones and offer similar processing power. You're unlikely to perceive a significant speed boost with the Narzo 50i Prime.
❓ Can the Realme Narzo 50i Prime charge my wireless earbuds using the reverse charging feature?
The Realme Narzo 50i Prime supports reverse *wired* charging, meaning you can use it to charge other devices via a USB cable. It does *not* support wireless reverse charging. You'll need a USB cable compatible with your earbuds to utilize this feature.
❓ How long does it typically take to fully charge either the Umidigi F3 SE or the Realme Narzo 50i Prime with the included 10W charger?
Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours with the included 10W charger for both devices. 10W charging is a relatively slow standard, so patience is required.