The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Xiaomi Redmi 9A and the Realme C33 2023 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 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 9A’s Helio G25, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the C33’s processing power gives it the edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 30. Released 2020, July 07 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 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 | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, 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, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray (Midnight Black), Sky Blue (Sea Blue), Ocean Green (Nature Green) | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | M2006C3LG, M2006C3LI, M2006C3LC, M2004C3L | RMX3627 |
| Price | € 64.30 / $ 56.50 / £ 95.56 | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi 9A
- Established brand reputation
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Potentially wider availability of accessories
- Older, less efficient processor
- Slower performance in demanding tasks
- Less responsive user experience
Realme C33 2023
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset
- Improved multitasking capabilities
- Slightly more modern processor architecture
- Less well-known chipset manufacturer
- Potentially less software support
- May have limited accessory options
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Without specific display specs, it's reasonable to assume similar resolutions and brightness levels. The Realme C33’s slightly more modern design may offer marginally slimmer bezels, but this is unlikely to be a significant differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are likely to feature basic camera setups. Given the market segment, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit. The Realme C33 may have a slight edge if it incorporates more sophisticated image processing algorithms, but the core sensor capabilities are likely comparable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C33 2023’s Unisoc Tiger T612 utilizes a 12nm process and features 2x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 cores alongside 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration represents a significant architectural advantage over the Redmi 9A’s Mediatek Helio G25, which employs 4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 cores in the C33 offer substantially better single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. While both are 12nm, the newer architecture of the Unisoc chip provides a tangible performance benefit, especially in multitasking scenarios.
Battery Life
Both the Redmi 9A and Realme C33 2023 are equipped with 10W wired charging. This translates to relatively slow charging times – expect well over 2 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but both likely hover around the 5000mAh mark, common for this price range. The slightly more efficient Unisoc T612 in the Realme C33 might translate to marginally better battery life under heavy use, but real-world differences will likely be minimal for average users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A if your primary need is a basic, reliable phone for calls, texts, and light social media use, and you prioritize a well-established brand. Buy the Realme C33 2023 if you want a more capable device for occasional gaming, smoother app switching, and a slightly more modern processor architecture, even if it means opting for a less-known chipset manufacturer.
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 can run PUBG Mobile at lower settings. Expect frame rate drops during intense action, but it's a more viable option than the Redmi 9A's Helio G25, which will struggle significantly.
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset reliable and well-supported?
Unisoc has been steadily improving its chipset offerings. The Tiger T612 is a relatively recent chip and offers competitive performance in the budget segment. While software updates may not be as frequent as those from Mediatek, it's a capable processor for everyday tasks.
❓ How much faster is the Realme C33 2023 in real-world use compared to the Redmi 9A?
The Realme C33 2023 will feel noticeably snappier when opening apps, switching between them, and browsing the web. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a significant boost in single-core performance, which directly impacts these everyday tasks. The difference won't be dramatic, but it's readily apparent.
