The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Realme C55 and ZTE Blade A53 Pro both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Realme C55 prioritizes faster charging and a more modern chipset, while the ZTE Blade A53 Pro focuses on a simpler, more streamlined experience. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C55 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G88 chipset offers significantly improved performance over the ZTE Blade A53 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A1, and the 33W charging is a game-changer in this price bracket. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the Realme C55’s faster charging and superior processing power make it the more compelling option.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, AF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Green | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | - | RMX3710 |
| Price | - | ₹ 8,399 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 257263 (v9)
GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6)
GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A53 Pro
- Simpler software experience
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Significantly slower processor
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Likely lower display brightness
Realme C55
- Faster and more capable Helio G88 chipset
- 33W fast charging (50% in 29 mins)
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Software experience may be more cluttered
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
Both the Realme C55 and ZTE Blade A53 Pro share a contrast ratio of 1264:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Realme C55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 659 nits, a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the ZTE Blade A53 Pro, which lacks published brightness data. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While both likely utilize LCD panels given the price point, the Realme C55’s superior brightness makes it the more usable display in varied lighting conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price bracket, image quality will likely be similar, relying heavily on software processing. The absence of detailed sensor information suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. The Realme C55’s potential for better image processing, due to the more powerful Helio G88 chipset, might give it a slight edge, but don’t expect flagship-level results from either device. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Realme C55’s Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm) represents a clear performance advantage over the ZTE Blade A53 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm). The Helio G88 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, providing a significant boost in single-core performance compared to the A55 cores in the Unisoc chip. The Unisoc SC9863A1’s octa-core configuration is split between slower Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz, resulting in a less responsive experience, particularly when multitasking or running demanding applications. The 12nm process node of the Helio G88 also contributes to better power efficiency compared to the 22nm node of the Unisoc chip.
Battery Life
Both the Realme C55 and ZTE Blade A53 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Realme C55’s 33W wired charging is a significant differentiator. It can reach 50% charge in just 29 minutes, a substantial time saving compared to the ZTE Blade A53 Pro’s slow 10W charging. This faster charging capability is particularly valuable for users who frequently find themselves needing to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A53 Pro if you prioritize absolute simplicity and minimal software overhead, and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Realme C55 if you want a phone that can handle more demanding apps, occasional gaming, and benefits from significantly faster charging speeds, making it ideal for users on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G88 in the Realme C55 powerful enough for gaming?
The Helio G88 is a capable chipset for casual gaming. While it won't run demanding titles at maximum settings, it can handle popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. The Unisoc SC9863A1 in the ZTE Blade A53 Pro will struggle with even less demanding games.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Realme C55 compared to the 10W charging on the ZTE Blade A53 Pro in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Realme C55 can reach 50% charge in approximately 29 minutes, while the ZTE Blade A53 Pro will take well over 2 hours to achieve the same level. This means you can quickly top up the Realme C55 during a short break, whereas the ZTE Blade A53 Pro requires overnight charging for a full refill.
❓ Does the Realme C55 have a noticeable advantage in multitasking compared to the ZTE Blade A53 Pro?
Yes. The Realme C55’s Helio G88 chipset, with its more powerful Cortex-A75 cores, handles multitasking significantly better. You’ll experience fewer lags and delays when switching between apps compared to the ZTE Blade A53 Pro, which relies on less capable Cortex-A55 cores.
