The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X5 and Realme C55 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Realme C55 boasts faster charging and a more powerful chipset, while the Honor X5 focuses on a streamlined experience. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C55 emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G88 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Honor X5’s Helio G25, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. The 33W charging is a significant advantage, reducing downtime. While both offer similar battery endurance, the C55’s overall package is more compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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, January 24 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 14 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 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 | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunrise Orange, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | VNA-LX2, VNA-LX3 | RMX3710 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | ₹ 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) |
Honor X5
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly weaker processor
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Display likely less bright
Realme C55
- More powerful Helio G88 chipset
- 33W fast charging
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- May be slightly more expensive
- Similar battery endurance to the X5
- Camera performance relies heavily on software
Display Comparison
Both the Honor X5 and Realme C55 feature displays with a 1264:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Realme C55’s measured peak brightness of 659 nits significantly surpasses what we’d expect from the X5, making it more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. While both lack high refresh rates, the brighter display on the C55 provides a superior viewing experience, especially for media consumption. The lack of detailed display specs for the X5 makes a precise comparison difficult, but the C55 clearly has the edge in brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a 'Photo / Video' camera experience, but lack specific details in the provided data. Given the market positioning, we can assume both rely on budget sensors. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Realme generally focuses more on camera software optimization, potentially giving the C55 an edge in image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this segment is often a marketing gimmick, and its utility is limited. We’d need sample images to assess the real-world performance of each camera system.
Performance
The Realme C55’s Mediatek Helio G88 chipset represents a substantial upgrade over the Honor X5’s Helio G25. The G88 utilizes two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz, compared to the X5’s four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz and four at 1.5 GHz. This architectural difference translates to a significant performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. The G88’s more modern core design and higher clock speeds will result in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While both chipsets are 12nm, the G88’s superior architecture provides a clear advantage. The Realme C55 is the better choice for users who play mobile games or run demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both the Honor X5 and Realme C55 achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Realme C55’s 33W wired charging capability is a game-changer. It can reach 50% charge in just 29 minutes, significantly reducing downtime compared to the likely slower charging speeds of the Honor X5. While both phones will likely last a full day on a single charge for moderate users, the C55’s faster charging provides a more convenient experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X5 if you prioritize a simple, no-frills experience and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its lower price point makes it ideal for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Realme C55 if you want a more responsive device capable of handling moderate gaming and multitasking, and if fast charging is a priority. It’s a better all-rounder for users who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme C55’s Helio G88 chipset capable of handling popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G88 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won’t deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Honor X5’s Helio G25, especially during prolonged gaming sessions. Expect some frame drops during intense firefights, but overall, it’s a playable experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Realme C55 from 0%?
The Realme C55 supports 33W charging, and can reach 50% in 29 minutes. A full charge from 0% is estimated to take around 65-75 minutes, making it considerably faster than most budget phones in this price range. This quick charging capability is a major convenience factor.
❓ Does the Honor X5 support software updates, and for how long?
Honor’s software update policy for the X5 is limited. Typically, phones in this price segment receive only one major Android update and a few security patches. Expect limited long-term software support, which is a consideration if you plan to use the phone for several years.
❓ What type of storage does the Realme C55 use, and is it expandable?
The Realme C55 utilizes UFS 2.2 storage, which is faster than the eMMC storage often found in this price range. This contributes to quicker app loading times and smoother overall performance. It also supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity if needed.
