The Xiaomi Poco C3 and Realme Narzo 20A represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an incredibly low price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Poco C3 leans on MediaTek’s Helio G35, while the Narzo 20A opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665. This comparison dissects these core differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Realme Narzo 20A emerges as the better choice. While both phones offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the Snapdragon 665’s more efficient 11nm process and optimized CPU architecture provide a noticeable edge in everyday tasks and light gaming.
| 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, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 06 | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, October 16 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 75.4 x 8.9 mm (6.47 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 102.1 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Arctic Blue, Lime Green, Matte Black | Glory Silver, Victory Blue |
| Models | M2006C3MII, MZB07RIIN, MZB07RJIN, MZB07QAIN, MZB07RLIN, MZB07RKIN, MZB07RHIN | RMX2050 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.51 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body) | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.63 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Poco C3
- Potentially lower price point
- Large battery capacity (estimated)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less powerful chipset
- Potential for noticeable lag in demanding apps
- Inferior image processing
Realme Narzo 20A
- More efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Smoother performance for multitasking and gaming
- Potentially better camera image quality
- Slightly higher price
- Similar battery life to Poco C3
- 10W charging is relatively slow
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, the lack of specific display specs necessitates focusing on the chipset's impact on UI smoothness. A more powerful chipset, like the Snapdragon 665 in the Narzo 20A, can mitigate the perception of a lower-resolution or less-color-accurate display by ensuring fluid animations and faster app loading times.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside multiple auxiliary lenses, but the quality of these secondary sensors is often negligible. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 665 generally offers superior image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos compared to the MediaTek Helio G35’s ISP. The Narzo 20A is likely to produce more consistently pleasing results, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Narzo 20A’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) benefits from a smaller fabrication process compared to the Poco C3’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). This 1nm difference translates to improved power efficiency and potentially lower thermal throttling under sustained load. While both CPUs are octa-core, the Snapdragon 665 utilizes Kryo 260 Gold cores for peak performance, while the Poco C3 relies on Cortex-A53 cores. This architectural difference means the Narzo 20A will likely handle multitasking and more demanding apps with greater ease. The Helio G35's focus is on basic functionality, making it suitable for less intensive tasks.
Battery Life
Both the Poco C3 and Narzo 20A are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn't specified, both likely hover around the 5000mAh mark, common for budget devices. The Snapdragon 665’s improved power efficiency could slightly extend the Narzo 20A’s battery life, but the difference will likely be minimal in real-world usage. Expect both phones to comfortably last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco C3 if you need a large-capacity battery and are primarily focused on extremely basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. Its lower price point makes it ideal for first-time smartphone users or as a reliable backup device. Buy the Realme Narzo 20A if you prefer a smoother, more responsive user experience, and anticipate engaging in occasional gaming or multitasking. The Snapdragon 665 offers a tangible performance boost that justifies the slightly higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco C3 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Poco C3 can run these apps, the Helio G35’s limited processing power may result in slower loading times and occasional lag, especially when multitasking. The Narzo 20A’s Snapdragon 665 will provide a noticeably smoother experience with these commonly used applications.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 665 in the Narzo 20A capable of playing PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 665 can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings (balanced or low) to maintain a playable frame rate. Expect some occasional stuttering, especially during intense firefights. The Poco C3’s Helio G35 will likely struggle to provide a consistently smooth PUBG Mobile experience.
❓ How significant is the difference in power efficiency between the Helio G35 and Snapdragon 665?
The Snapdragon 665’s 11nm process is more power-efficient than the Helio G35’s 12nm process. This means the Narzo 20A will consume less power for the same tasks, potentially leading to slightly longer battery life, although the difference is unlikely to be dramatic.
❓ Are software updates likely to be consistent on either device?
Historically, Realme has provided more consistent software updates for its Narzo series compared to Xiaomi’s Poco line. While neither brand is known for rapid updates, the Narzo 20A is more likely to receive security patches and minor feature updates over time.
