The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X5c and Realme C55 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both devices leverage Mediatek's Helio G-series for processing power, but diverge significantly in charging speed and, to a lesser extent, CPU clock speeds. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C55 emerges as the better choice. Its 33W fast charging, capable of reaching 50% in just 29 minutes, is a significant advantage over the Honor X5c’s slower 15W charging. While both share similar processing capabilities, the convenience of quicker top-ups makes the C55 more practical for daily use.
| 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 | 2025, October 05 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October 05 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.57 x 3.03 x 0.31 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 | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | · 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF - LATAM only
· 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide) - MEA, SEA, AF, Eurasia
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5260 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Cyan, Midnight Black, Tidal Blue, Meteor Silver | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | - | RMX3710 |
| Price | - | ₹ 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 X5c
- Potentially longer battery life due to optimized power draw (though endurance rating is the same).
- May be slightly more affordable depending on regional pricing.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Significantly slower 15W charging.
- Slightly less powerful CPU compared to the Realme C55.
- Likely lower display brightness.
Realme C55
- 33W fast charging – a major convenience factor.
- Slightly more powerful CPU (Helio G88).
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Honor X5c.
- Fast charging can potentially degrade battery health faster over the long term (though this is a minor concern).
- Similar camera performance to the X5c.
Display Comparison
Both the Honor X5c and Realme C55 feature displays with a 1264:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual quality in terms of dynamic range. However, the Realme C55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 659 nits, significantly exceeding what we’d expect from the X5c based on its market positioning. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize LCD panels given the price point, the Realme C55’s superior brightness is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Given the budget nature of these phones, we can anticipate similar camera performance. The absence of details suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit, as image quality will be significantly lower than the main sensor. Focusing on the main sensor’s specifications would be crucial for a more informed assessment.
Performance
At the heart of both phones lies a Mediatek Helio G8-series chipset. The Realme C55 utilizes the Helio G88, featuring a slightly higher CPU clock speed for its Cortex-A55 cores (1.8 GHz vs 1.7 GHz on the X5c’s Helio G81). While this difference is marginal in real-world usage, the G88 generally offers a small performance uplift in multi-threaded tasks. Both phones share the same core architecture (2x Cortex-A75, 6x Cortex-A55), meaning the performance gap won’t be dramatic. The impact of RAM speed and storage type (eMMC vs UFS) – not specified in the data – could further influence responsiveness.
Battery Life
Both the Honor X5c and Realme C55 achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Realme C55’s 33W fast charging is a game-changer. Reaching 50% charge in just 29 minutes is significantly faster than the Honor X5c’s 15W charging, which will require considerably longer to achieve the same level. This difference in charging speed directly impacts user convenience and reduces downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X5c if you prioritize a potentially longer overall battery life and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and can charge overnight. Buy the Realme C55 if you value convenience and need to quickly replenish battery levels throughout the day. This phone suits users who are frequently on the go and can’t afford lengthy charging downtimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Realme C55's fast charging significantly impact battery lifespan?
While fast charging can generate more heat, modern smartphones have built-in safeguards to mitigate battery degradation. The Realme C55's charging circuitry is designed to optimize the charging process and minimize long-term battery health impact. The convenience of faster charging generally outweighs the minimal potential for reduced lifespan.
❓ How does the Helio G88 in the Realme C55 perform in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G88 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. However, demanding graphics settings may result in occasional frame drops. The Realme C55’s thermal management will play a crucial role in sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. Expect playable, but not flagship-level, gaming experience.
❓ Is the difference between the Helio G81 and G88 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
The difference between the Helio G81 and G88 is minimal for everyday tasks. Both chipsets are more than capable of handling browsing, social media, and basic app usage without any noticeable lag. The Realme C55’s slightly faster CPU clock speed may provide a marginal improvement in app loading times, but it won’t be a dramatic difference.
❓ What type of storage does each phone use (eMMC or UFS), and how does that affect performance?
Unfortunately, the storage type (eMMC or UFS) isn't specified in the provided data. UFS storage is significantly faster than eMMC, resulting in quicker app loading times and smoother overall performance. If the Realme C55 utilizes UFS storage, it would further enhance its performance advantage over the Honor X5c.
