The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Umidigi G3 Plus and the India-specific Realme C53 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take slightly different approaches, primarily revolving around their chipsets and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C53 (India) emerges as the better choice. While both phones utilize Unisoc chipsets, the T612’s higher clock speeds and 18W charging offer a noticeable performance and convenience advantage, justifying its slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023, July 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2023, July 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.7 x 8.8 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 167.2 x 76.7 x 8 mm (6.58 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 560 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5150 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, Dark Green, Lavender Purple | Gold, Black |
| Models | - | RMX3762 |
| Price | - | About 110 EUR |
Umidigi G3 Plus
- Lower price point makes it highly accessible.
- Unisoc T606 is still capable for basic tasks.
- Potentially longer battery life due to less power draw (depending on battery capacity).
- Slower charging speed (10W) is a significant drawback.
- Lower CPU clock speeds result in slower performance.
Realme C53 (India)
- Faster CPU clock speeds (1.8 GHz) for improved performance.
- 18W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Likely better optimized software experience (Realme UI).
- Slightly higher price compared to the Umidigi G3 Plus.
- May not offer a dramatically better camera experience.
Display Comparison
Neither Umidigi nor Realme provide display specifications beyond size. Given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of details like resolution, peak brightness, or color gamut makes a direct comparison impossible. However, the Realme C53’s slightly higher price *suggests* a potentially better-quality panel, though this remains unconfirmed. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It’s safe to assume both will feature a primary camera and potentially a depth or macro sensor. However, without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing algorithms, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The marketing materials for both phones tend to emphasize megapixel count over image quality, suggesting a focus on quantity rather than quality. Users shouldn't expect flagship-level camera performance from either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C53 (India) features the Unisoc Tiger T612, boasting a CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz on its Cortex-A75 cores, compared to the Umidigi G3 Plus’s Unisoc T606 with 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This 200 MHz clock speed increase, coupled with the same 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, translates to a tangible performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. While both are 12nm chips, the T612’s architecture is optimized for slightly better efficiency. The GPU performance difference is likely to be modest, but the T612 will offer a smoother experience in less demanding games. Both devices will likely be paired with 3-4GB of RAM, further limiting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, the Realme C53 (India) has a significant advantage with its 18W wired charging, compared to the Umidigi G3 Plus’s 10W charging. This means the Realme C53 will recharge considerably faster, reducing downtime. Even with a similar battery capacity, the faster charging speed is a major convenience factor. The Umidigi G3 Plus will require a longer time to reach a full charge, potentially impacting usability for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G3 Plus if you prioritize absolute affordability and are willing to accept slower charging and marginally lower performance for basic tasks like messaging and light web browsing. Buy the Realme C53 (India) if you value a smoother user experience, faster charging, and a bit more headroom for multitasking and occasional gaming, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C53 (India) be able to run popular social media apps smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset in the Realme C53 (India) is more than capable of handling popular social media applications like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The higher CPU clock speeds compared to the Umidigi G3 Plus will ensure a smoother and more responsive experience, even with multiple apps open.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Umidigi G3 Plus with the 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging speed of the Umidigi G3 Plus, a full charge from 0% will likely take between 3 to 4 hours, depending on the battery capacity (which is not specified). This is considerably slower than the Realme C53 (India)'s 18W charging, making it less convenient for users who need a quick top-up.
❓ Is the Unisoc T612 in the Realme C53 (India) suitable for light gaming?
The Unisoc T612 can handle light gaming, such as casual puzzle games or less demanding titles. However, for graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve playable frame rates. The Umidigi G3 Plus will struggle even more with these titles.
