1/8
Another day, another fresh batch of “affordable” Realme phones. This time, we’re looking at Narzo 30 and Narzo 30 5G. The Narzo 30 is an entry-level 4G phone that will take on the likes of Redmi Note 10S (and Redmi Note 10 Pro) and Samsung Galaxy M32. It comes with a MediaTek Helio G95 system-on-chip. The Narzo 30 5G is virtually the same phone but with a 5G-ready MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC inside and “dynamic” RAM technology. Realme isn’t cutting down on 5G support either as the Narzo 30 5G supports as many as seven 5G bands right off the gate. It will compete with Xiaomi’s Poco M3 Pro 5G. We will have more to say about the Narzo 30 and Narzo 30 5G in our full review dropping soon, but for now, here is a quick look at both these phones and how they fare against competition. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)
2/8
Let’s start with core hardware. The Narzo 30 is powered by the Helio G95 chip. The Redmi Note 10S is also based on the same chipset. Technically, this is an entry-level gaming chip which means it can do some light gaming and a little bit of graphically intensive gaming (at low settings and up 30fps tops) thanks to its competitive Mali-G76 GPU. The Narzo 30 comes in two configurations: 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB. Realme is using UFS2.1 storage. This is expandable via a dedicated slot (up to 256GB). The Note 10S also comes in two configurations but with higher RAM by default: 6GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB. Xiaomi uses faster UFS2.2 storage. This is also expandable via a dedicated slot. The Galaxy M32 uses the older MediaTek Helio G80 processor and comes in two configurations: 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB. Samsung is using eMMC 5.1 storage. This is expandable via a dedicated slot. The Narzo 30 5G is powered by the Dimensity 700 paired with 6GB RAM and 128GB UFS2.1 storage which is expandable via a dedicated slot (up to 1TB). The Poco M3 Pro 5G is also based on the same chipset and is available in two configurations: 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128GB. Poco is using faster UFS2.2 storage, which is also expandable, but this is via a hybrid slot. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)
3/8
The Narzo 30 and Narzo 30 5G both have a 6.5-inch 1080p IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and corner-aligned hole punch cut-out. The Poco M3 Pro 5G comes with a 6.5-inch 1080p 90Hz display with a centrally-aligned hole punch cut-out. The Redmi Note 10S has a 6.43-inch 1080p Super AMOLED 60Hz display, again with a centrally-aligned hole punch cut-out. The Galaxy M32 has a 6.4-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display with a waterdrop-style notch. The screen here is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The Note 10S and Poco M3 Pro 5G use Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The Narzo 30 and Narzo 30 5G don’t have any screen protection. The Note 10S screen can theoretically get the brightest (up to 1200nits). Next in line is the Galaxy M32 and Narzo 30 5G and Narzo 30. The Poco M3 Pro has the dimmest display in the list (only up to 500nits peak). (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)
4/8
The Narzo 30 and Narzo 30 5G have triple rear cameras. This is a combination of 48MP (Samsung GM1 sensor) main, and two 2MP shooters, one for macros and another for depth. The Poco M3 Pro 5G has a similar setup (though Poco does not confirm the nature of the primary sensor). Of the Narzo 30 and Narzo 30 5G, only the 4G model can shoot 4K videos (the 5G model tops out at 1080p@30fps). The Redmi Note 10S has a quad camera setup with a 64MP main (unspecified sensor), 8MP ultra-wide-angle, and two 2MP cameras, one for depth and another for macros. The Galaxy M32 has a 64MP (unspecified sensor) main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and two 2MP cameras, one for depth and another for macros. Like the Narzo 30 5G, the M32 also tops out at 1080p@30fps recording. The Narzo 30 and Narzo 30 5G have a 16MP front camera. The Note 10S has a 13MP, M32 has a 20MP while the Poco M3 Pro has an 8MP front camera. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)
5/8
In terms of software, the Narzo 30 and Narzo 30 5G have Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0. The M32 runs One UI 3.1, Note 10S MIUI 12.5 and Poco M3 Pro MIUI 12 software, all based on Android 11. In the list, the Narzo 30 and Narzo 30 5G have the cleanest user interface. Xiaomi lets you uninstall and remove many pre-installed apps in the Note 10S after setup, but the out-of-the-box experience is still pretty messy. Samsung however takes the cake when it comes to software updates. The M32 is miles ahead of any of these phones in this regard. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)
6/8
The Galaxy M32 has the biggest battery in the list. This is 6,000mAh. It also supports 25W fast charging (though Samsung bundles only a 15W fast charger in the box). The Narzo 30 has a smaller 5,000mAh battery but supports faster 30W charging (and ships with compliant charger in the box). The Narzo 30 5G, Note 10S and Poco M30 Pro 5G similarly come with a 5,000mAh battery but top out at 18W fast charging. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)
7/8
All the phones in the list come with a plastic body with the Note 10S offering IP53 dust and splash resistance. The Note 10S also offers dual speakers. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)
8/8
The Narzo 30 starts at Rs 12,499 for a version with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, while a version with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage will set you back by Rs 14,499. The Narzo 30 5G costs Rs 15,999 (6GB/128GB). The Galaxy M32 base model with 4GB RAM and 64GB storages costs Rs 14,999. The top-end model of the phone with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage will set you back by Rs 16,999. The Redmi Note 10S starts at Rs 14,999 for a version of 6GB RAM and 64GB storage. A version with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage costs Rs 15,999. The Poco M3 Pro starts at Rs 13,999 for the base variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. The 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant of the phone will set you back by Rs 15,999. (Photo credit: Saurabh Singh/Financial Express)