The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade V40 Design and the Realme C33. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade V40 Design edges out the Realme C33 thanks to its significantly faster chipset, quicker charging, and potentially better camera capabilities. While the Realme C33 offers a clean UI and decent battery life, the V40's performance advantage makes it the more compelling choice for most users.
| 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 | 2022, December 21 | 2022, September 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 10 | Available. Released 2022, September 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163 x 74 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.91 x 0.31 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 | 183.4 g (6.46 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 |
| OS | Android 12, MyOS 12 | Android 12, Realme UI S |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 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 | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sky Blue, Starry Black | Sandy Gold, Aqua Blue, Night Sea |
| Models | 8046 | RMX3624 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 110 EUR |
ZTE Blade V40 Design
- Faster Chipset (T616)
- 22.5W Fast Charging
- Potentially Better Camera
- Slightly More Premium Design (likely)
- Battery life might be slightly shorter than Realme C33
- Software updates may be less frequent
Realme C33
- Longer Battery Life (likely)
- Clean and Simple UI
- Affordable Price
- Slower Chipset (T612)
- 10W Slow Charging
- Lower Performance
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with an HD+ resolution. The ZTE Blade V40 Design might have slightly better color accuracy or brightness due to potentially higher panel quality, but this is difficult to confirm without detailed testing. Expect similar viewing angles and overall display experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup (likely a 50MP main sensor on both), the ZTE Blade V40 Design's more powerful chipset could allow for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. Expect similar camera features like portrait mode and HDR, but the V40 might offer slightly better image quality overall. Detailed camera testing is needed for a definitive conclusion.
Performance
This is where the ZTE Blade V40 Design pulls ahead. Its Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset boasts a faster CPU with Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz compared to the Realme C33's 1.8 GHz. This translates to noticeably smoother performance in apps and games. The V40's 12nm process also contributes to slightly better efficiency. The Realme C33's T612 is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Realme C33 likely has a slight edge in battery life due to its lower power consumption chipset and slower 10W charging. The ZTE Blade V40 Design, despite its faster processor, should still offer a full day of moderate use. However, the Realme C33 will likely last longer under similar usage conditions. The V40's 22.5W charging is a significant advantage, allowing for much faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade V40 Design is ideal for users who prioritize performance and faster charging. It's a good choice for light gaming and multitasking. The Realme C33 is better suited for users who primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and value a streamlined software experience and longer battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The ZTE Blade V40 Design is significantly better for gaming due to its faster chipset and more powerful CPU.
❓ Does the Realme C33 have a better camera?
While both have 50MP main sensors, the ZTE Blade V40 Design's chipset likely allows for better image processing, potentially resulting in slightly better photos.
