The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Realme C25Y and vivo Y21a aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dives deep into the nuances of the Unisoc T610 (Realme) and the Mediatek Helio P22/P35 (vivo) to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C25Y emerges as the stronger contender. Its Unisoc T610 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 performance cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the vivo Y21a’s Helio P22/P35, especially in multitasking and app loading. While both offer similar battery and charging capabilities, the Realme’s superior processing power makes it the better choice for everyday use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 22 | 2021, September 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 14 | Available. Released 2021, September 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) - Egypt | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) - Egypt | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, Realme UI R |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Diamond Glow | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray |
| Models | - | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 |
| Price | - | About 140 EUR |
vivo Y21a
- More powerful Unisoc T610 chipset
- Better multitasking capabilities
- Slightly improved gaming performance
- Brand recognition may be lower than vivo
- Camera performance likely similar to vivo Y21a
Realme C25Y
- Established brand reputation (vivo)
- Potentially slightly better CPU clock speed (Egypt variant)
- Similar battery life and charging speed
- Less powerful Mediatek Helio P22/P35 chipset
- Slower app loading and multitasking
- Older CPU architecture
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, but we can infer they are similar. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather on basic usability. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will be standard for budget phones.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance will be largely similar, relying heavily on software processing. Both phones likely feature a primary camera around 13MP, but detailed sensor size information is missing. The Realme C25Y may have a slight edge due to the more capable chipset allowing for faster image processing. The inclusion of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices is largely marketing fluff and won’t significantly impact image quality. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.
Performance
This is where the key difference lies. The Realme C25Y’s Unisoc T610 utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with 2x Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz and 6x Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.8 GHz. This provides a significant boost in single-core performance compared to the vivo Y21a’s Mediatek Helio P22 (Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53). The Egypt variant of the Y21a uses the Helio P35 (Octa-core 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53), offering a slight CPU clock speed advantage, but the older Cortex-A53 architecture is less efficient. The T610’s architecture translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The GPU in the T610 will also provide a better gaming experience, though both phones are limited to light gaming.
Battery Life
Both the Realme C25Y and vivo Y21a feature 18W wired charging, which is standard for this price point. Actual charging times will likely be around 2 hours to fully charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but is likely in the 5000mAh range for both devices. The Unisoc T610 in the Realme C25Y is built on a 12nm process, potentially offering slightly better power efficiency, but the difference will be minimal in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y21a if you prioritize a brand with a strong established presence and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use. The Y21a, particularly the Egypt variant with the Helio P35, offers a slightly better CPU clock speed for these simple tasks. Buy the Realme C25Y if you need a phone that can handle more demanding applications, occasional gaming, and smoother multitasking. The Unisoc T610’s architecture provides a more modern and efficient experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Realme C25Y handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc T610 in the Realme C25Y is more than capable of handling everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram without significant lag. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable performance boost over the vivo Y21a’s Helio P22/P35, ensuring a smoother user experience.
❓ Which phone is better for playing games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
Neither phone is ideal for demanding games. However, the Realme C25Y will offer a slightly better experience due to its more powerful GPU. Expect to play at low settings with reduced frame rates. The vivo Y21a will struggle with these titles, even at the lowest settings.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A75 vs Cortex-A53) significant in real-world use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Cortex-A75 cores in the Unisoc T610 are significantly more efficient and powerful than the Cortex-A53 cores in the Helio P22/P35. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience.
❓ What about software updates? Which phone is more likely to receive them?
Software update support is often inconsistent in this price segment. Realme generally provides more frequent updates than vivo, but neither can be guaranteed long-term support. Check online forums and communities for user reports on update frequency for both models.
