The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi 8A, a veteran of this space, faces a new challenger in the Realme C33 2023. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, particularly in their core processing power and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C33 2023 emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Redmi 8A’s Snapdragon 439, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While the Redmi 8A offers 18W charging, the C33’s more capable processor justifies the slower 10W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 25. Released 2019, September 30 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.16 x 2.97 x 0.37 in) | 164.2 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 12, Realme UI S |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM Radio, built-in antenna | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Ocean Blue, Sunset Red | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | MZB8458IN, M1908C3KG, M1908C3KH | RMX3627 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.07 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.23 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 89901 (v8)
GeekBench: 3030 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi 8A
- Faster 18W charging
- Established brand reputation
- Potentially lower price (depending on retailer)
- Older, less powerful Snapdragon 439 chipset
- Less responsive user experience
- Potentially lower image processing quality
Realme C33 2023
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset
- Improved app performance and multitasking
- More efficient processor for potentially better battery life
- Slower 10W charging
- Less established brand in some markets
- Potential software bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on functionality. Without specific display specs, we can assume similar resolutions and brightness levels. The Realme C33’s advantage, if any, would stem from potential software optimizations for color accuracy, but this is speculative.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Realme C33’s chipset likely offers slightly better image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially leading to improved image quality in favorable lighting conditions. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) in this segment suggests neither phone will excel in specialized photography like macro shots.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C33 2023’s Unisoc Tiger T612 is architecturally superior to the Redmi 8A’s Snapdragon 439. The T612’s combination of 2x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores provides a significant advantage over the Snapdragon 439’s 4x 1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x 1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. The A75 cores offer substantially higher single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the A55 cores improve multi-core efficiency. This translates to a snappier experience for everyday tasks on the Realme C33. The 12nm process node is shared by both, meaning thermal efficiency differences will be minimal.
Battery Life
While the Redmi 8A features 18W wired charging, the Realme C33 2023 is limited to 10W. However, the more efficient Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset in the C33 may offset this difference in real-world usage. A less power-hungry processor means less battery drain during typical tasks. Without knowing the battery capacity of each device, it’s difficult to predict which will last longer on a single charge, but the C33’s chipset efficiency is a key factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 8A if you prioritize a slightly faster charging speed and are primarily focused on extremely basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you value a more responsive user experience, smoother app performance, and a chipset capable of handling moderately demanding applications, even if it means a slower charging rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C33 2023 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While not designed for high-end gaming, the Unisoc Tiger T612 in the Realme C33 2023 will offer a more playable experience in PUBG Mobile compared to the Redmi 8A. Expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially with frame rate limitations to maintain smooth gameplay. The Snapdragon 439 in the Redmi 8A will struggle with consistent performance in demanding titles.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 10W and 18W significant in real-world use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. 18W charging on the Redmi 8A will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the device compared to the 10W charging on the Realme C33 2023. However, the Realme C33’s more efficient processor may partially offset this difference by consuming less power during use.
❓ Does the Realme C33 2023 have a noticeable performance improvement for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Absolutely. The Cortex-A75 cores in the Unisoc Tiger T612 provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, which directly impacts the responsiveness of everyday apps and the smoothness of scrolling through web pages and social media feeds. The Redmi 8A’s older processor will feel noticeably slower in these scenarios.
