The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi 8A, a long-standing favorite, faces a strong challenger in the Realme C3i. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset and charging technology. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C3i emerges as the better choice. Its MediaTek Helio G70 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Snapdragon 439 in the Redmi 8A, making it more capable for multitasking and gaming. While the Redmi 8A boasts 18W charging, the C3i’s superior processing power offers a more significant everyday benefit.
| 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 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps |
| 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 | 2020, June 24. Released 2020, July 03 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.16 x 2.97 x 0.37 in) | 164.4 x 75 x 9 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 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 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, 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 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM Radio, built-in antenna | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | - |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Ocean Blue, Sunset Red | Frozen Blue, Blazing Red |
| Models | MZB8458IN, M1908C3KG, M1908C3KH | RMX2027, RMX2020 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 100 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) |
AnTuTu: 192223 (v8)
GeekBench: 1262 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi 8A
- Faster 18W charging
- Established brand reputation
- Potentially more aggressive price point
- Less powerful Snapdragon 439 chipset
- Older CPU architecture
- Likely slower app loading times
Realme C3i
- More powerful MediaTek Helio G70 chipset
- Modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A75)
- Smoother multitasking and gaming experience
- Slower 10W charging
- Realme's software can be divisive
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed specs like resolution and brightness are missing, but the focus here is on internal performance. Bezels are expected to be relatively thick on both, prioritizing affordability over an immersive viewing experience. Color accuracy is likely standard for budget phones, leaning towards acceptable rather than exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with depth and macro sensors. The Redmi 8A’s camera is likely tuned for a more saturated, 'social media-ready' look, typical of Xiaomi’s image processing. The Realme C3i may offer a more natural color profile. Given the price point, image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but both will struggle in low light. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both is largely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C3i’s MediaTek Helio G70, built on a 12nm process, features a more modern CPU architecture with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Redmi 8A’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, utilizing 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 cores in the C3i offer significantly better single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm, the architectural improvements in the Helio G70 provide a clear advantage. The C3i will handle more demanding apps and light gaming with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both phones likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range (specs missing). However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Redmi 8A supports 18W wired charging, while the C3i is limited to 10W. This means the Redmi 8A will charge faster, potentially reaching a full charge in under two hours. The C3i will take considerably longer. However, the Helio G70’s improved efficiency may partially offset this difference, potentially leading to comparable real-world battery life despite the slower charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 8A if you prioritize a slightly faster charging experience and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Realme C3i if you value smoother performance for app switching, moderate gaming, and a more responsive user experience, even if it means a slower charging speed. The C3i is the better option for anyone who doesn't want to constantly wait for their phone to catch up.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C3i struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G70 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Expect some occasional stuttering, but it's a significantly better gaming experience than the Snapdragon 439 in the Redmi 8A, which will likely require the lowest settings and still struggle with consistent performance.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Realme C3i a dealbreaker if I need a quick top-up before leaving the house?
If fast charging is a priority, the 10W charging on the C3i is a definite drawback. The Redmi 8A’s 18W charging will provide a much quicker boost. However, if you typically charge your phone overnight, the slower charging speed is less of an issue. Consider your charging habits before making a decision.
❓ Does the Redmi 8A's MIUI software offer more features than Realme UI on the C3i?
MIUI is known for its extensive customization options and feature set, but it can also be resource-intensive. Realme UI is generally lighter and more streamlined, which complements the Helio G70's performance. The choice depends on your preference: feature-rich but potentially slower (MIUI) or cleaner and more responsive (Realme UI).
