The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y18 and Realme C67 4G are two contenders vying for your attention. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and potentially better long-term efficiency, the Realme C67 4G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 685, built on a 6nm process, offers a more modern architecture than the vivo Y18’s Helio G85, despite a slightly lower peak CPU clock speed. The 33W charging is a significant advantage over the Y18’s 15W.
| 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, 13, 18, 19, 26, 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 | 2024, May 06 | 2023, December 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May | Available. Released 2023, December 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.6 x 75.4 x 7.6 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~87.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 840 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 800 nits (typ), 950 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 14, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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 | 15W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mocha Brown, Wave Aqua | Sunny Oasis, Black Rock |
| Models | - | RMX3890 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 160 EUR |
vivo Y18
- Established Brand Reputation
- Potentially Lower Price (depending on region)
- Higher Peak CPU Clock Speeds
- Slower 15W Charging
- Less Efficient 12nm Chipset
- Potential for More Thermal Throttling
Realme C67 4G
- Faster 33W Charging
- More Efficient 6nm Chipset
- Modern Snapdragon 685 Architecture
- Potentially Higher Price (depending on region)
- Slightly Lower Peak CPU Clock Speeds
- Realme's Software Experience (subjective)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on practicality. Without specific display specs, it's difficult to differentiate, but the Realme C67's chipset may allow for slightly more efficient display power consumption. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both devices, and color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the main sensor, a direct comparison is challenging. Both phones likely employ similar budget image sensors and image processing techniques. The Realme C67 4G may benefit from the Snapdragon 685’s slightly more capable ISP (Image Signal Processor), potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos. However, the real-world difference will likely be minimal without further information on sensor size and lens apertures. Expect both phones to include standard features like portrait mode and basic scene detection.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C67 4G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm) represents a more modern architecture than the vivo Y18’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). While the Helio G85 boasts higher peak CPU clock speeds (2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 vs 2.8 GHz Cortex-A73), the Snapdragon 685’s 6nm fabrication process translates to improved power efficiency and potentially better sustained performance under load. The Snapdragon 685’s Cortex-A73 cores, while fewer in number, are generally more efficient per clock cycle than the Helio G85’s A75 cores. This means the Realme C67 is likely to exhibit less thermal throttling during extended gaming or multitasking. The GPU performance difference will also favor the Snapdragon 685.
Battery Life
The Realme C67 4G’s 33W wired charging is a clear advantage over the vivo Y18’s 15W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times, a crucial benefit for users who frequently find themselves with low battery. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 685’s 6nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting a slightly smaller battery capacity (if present) compared to the Y18. Expect the Realme C67 to reach a full charge in considerably less time than the vivo Y18.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y18 if you prioritize a familiar, established brand and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for basic smartphone tasks and light usage. Buy the Realme C67 4G if you value faster charging, potentially better power efficiency, and a more modern chipset architecture, making it a better choice for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day or engage in moderate gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 685 in the Realme C67 4G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 685 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings for a smooth experience. The 6nm process helps with sustained performance, reducing the likelihood of significant frame drops during extended gaming sessions compared to the Helio G85.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Realme C67 4G compared to the vivo Y18's 15W charging?
The 33W charging on the Realme C67 4G will significantly reduce charging times. While exact figures depend on battery capacity, expect a 0-100% charge to take roughly 60-90 minutes on the Realme C67, compared to potentially 2+ hours on the vivo Y18.
❓ Does the Helio G85 in the vivo Y18 get hot during prolonged use?
The Helio G85, being built on a 12nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 685. Expect some heat buildup during extended gaming or heavy multitasking, which may lead to a slight performance decrease as the phone attempts to manage its temperature.
❓ Which phone is better for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming?
Both phones are perfectly capable of handling everyday tasks. However, the Realme C67 4G’s more efficient chipset may result in slightly better battery life during these activities, and a smoother overall experience due to reduced thermal throttling.
