Oppo spin-off Realme unveils a sub-US$150 5G smartphone in China that’s cheaper than offerings from Xiaomi and Vivo
- The Realme V3 5G uses MediaTek’s Dimensity 720 5G chipset designed for mid-range handsets
- Prices of 5G smartphones are coming down swiftly as more choices flood the market
Less than a year ago, 5G was still a luxury. But now consumers in China can buy a 5G smartphone for less than US$150.
Its latest budget phone in China is the Realme V3 5G, which is powered by the mid-tier MediaTek 5G chipset Dimensity 720. At a starting price of 999 yuan (US$145), the V3 is currently the world’s cheapest 5G smartphone.
Earlier this year, Realme introduced another entry-level 5G handset armed with the same processor for 1,499 yuan. In comparison, the cheapest 5G phone listed on Xiaomi’s website, the Redmi K30i 5G, sells for nearly 1,500 yuan. Vivo’s iQOO Z1x 5G costs almost 1,600 yuan.
5G is the star feature of Realme’s new handset. Otherwise, it carries the usual set of basic features expected in a budget Chinese smartphone these days. It has a 6.5-inch screen, three rear cameras and a 5,000 mAh battery.
The affordable device fits Realme’s strategy of targeting younger buyers.