Realme C35 vs Doogee X97 Pro: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Buyers

The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Doogee X97 Pro and Realme C35 aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily diverging in their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme C35 emerges as the better choice. While both phones share a 12nm process, the Realme C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616, with its Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Doogee X97 Pro’s Helio G25, especially in multitasking and app loading. The 18W charging is also a significant benefit.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee X97 Pro Realme C35
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2022, June2022, February 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, JulyAvailable. Released 2022, February 14
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions162 x 76.9 x 9.7 mm (6.38 x 3.03 x 0.38 in)164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Panda Glass
Resolution720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G57 MP1
OSAndroid 12Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesTriple-LED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video720p720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-18W wired
Type4200 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, GreenGlowing Black, Glowing Green
Models-RMX3511
PriceAbout 120 EUR£ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     1.13 W/kg (body)

Doogee X97 Pro

  • Potential for longer software support (Doogee's focus)
  • May offer more rugged build quality (Doogee brand reputation)
  • Competitive price point

  • Inferior chipset performance (Helio G25)
  • Likely slower charging speeds
  • Less established brand recognition

Realme C35

  • Superior chipset performance (Unisoc T616)
  • Faster 18W charging
  • Wider brand recognition and support

  • Software update policy may be shorter than Doogee
  • Build quality may not be as robust as Doogee
  • Potentially slightly higher price

Display Comparison

Neither Doogee nor Realme provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. Assuming both utilize standard IPS LCD panels common in this price bracket, the display experience will likely be similar. Color accuracy and peak brightness are likely to be modest. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO is typical for this segment. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both devices.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are lacking for both devices. However, given the price point, it’s safe to assume both rely on primary sensors around the 13-50MP range. The Realme C35 likely benefits from Unisoc’s image signal processor (ISP), which has improved in recent generations. The Doogee X97 Pro’s ISP is likely less sophisticated. The presence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices is largely marketing fluff and should not be a deciding factor. Image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing and lighting conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This configuration provides a significant uplift in single-core performance compared to the Doogee X97 Pro’s Helio G25, which utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz and four at 1.5 GHz. The A75 cores in the T616 are architecturally superior, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the T616’s architecture is more efficient. The Helio G25 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

While both phones likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range (typical for this segment), the Realme C35’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage. The Doogee X97 Pro’s charging speed is not specified, but is likely limited to 10W or less. This translates to a significantly faster 0-100% charge time on the Realme C35, reducing downtime and improving usability. The efficiency of the Unisoc T616 may also contribute to slightly better battery life under moderate usage.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee X97 Pro if you prioritize a potentially longer software support lifecycle from a brand focused on rugged devices and are comfortable with slightly slower performance. Buy the Realme C35 if you value a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and a brand with a wider reach and established software update track record. The C35 is ideal for users who frequently switch between apps or enjoy casual gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Realme C35 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium graphics settings and potentially lower frame rates for a smooth experience. The Helio G25 in the Doogee X97 Pro will struggle with PUBG Mobile, requiring significantly lower settings and potentially experiencing lag.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Realme C35 with the 18W charger?
With the included 18W charger, the Realme C35 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on usage during charging. The Doogee X97 Pro, with its likely slower charging, could take upwards of 4 hours.
❓ Is the software experience significantly different between Realme UI and Doogee's OS?
Realme UI is a more polished and feature-rich experience, based on Android, with regular updates and a large user base. Doogee’s OS is typically a near-stock Android experience, which some users prefer for its simplicity, but may receive fewer updates and lack some of the advanced features found in Realme UI.
❓ Does the Doogee X97 Pro have any features geared towards outdoor use or durability?
Doogee is known for its rugged phones, but the X97 Pro is a more mainstream model. While it may have some level of splash resistance, it doesn't offer the same level of drop protection or waterproofing as Doogee's dedicated rugged lineup.