The Huawei nova Y61 and Realme C55 represent compelling options in the crowded sub-$200 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Realme C55 prioritizes faster charging and a slightly more detailed display, while the Huawei nova Y61 focuses on a streamlined user experience within the Huawei ecosystem. This comparison will dissect their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C55 emerges as the stronger choice. Its 33W charging capability, achieving 50% charge in just 29 minutes, significantly outperforms the Huawei nova Y61’s 22.5W charging. While both offer comparable battery endurance, the faster charging speed provides a more convenient user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - EVE-LX3 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 - EVE-LX3 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 01 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.47 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | Yes (EVE-LX9N only) | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Blue, Mint Green, Midnight Black | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N, EVE-LX3 | RMX3710 |
| Price | About 140 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) |
Huawei nova Y61
- Potentially cleaner software experience (Huawei)
- Good battery endurance (123h)
- Reliable octa-core processor
- Slower 22.5W charging
- Limited detailed specifications
- Potentially less powerful chipset than Realme C55
Realme C55
- Faster 33W charging (50% in 29 min)
- Brighter display (659 nits)
- More powerful Mediatek Helio G88 chipset
- Similar battery endurance to Huawei
- May have more pre-installed bloatware (Realme)
- Contrast ratio is nominal, not measured
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 boasts a display with a measured peak brightness of 659 nits and a 1264:1 contrast ratio. While the Huawei nova Y61’s display specifications are less detailed, the Realme C55’s higher brightness translates to better visibility in outdoor conditions. Both share the same nominal contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction capabilities. The Realme C55’s brighter panel is a clear advantage for media consumption and general usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The Realme C55 likely benefits from Mediatek’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G88, potentially offering improved image processing and noise reduction. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for either device, it’s difficult to definitively assess camera quality. However, the Realme C55’s chipset suggests a more advanced camera system overall.
Performance
The Realme C55 is powered by the Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Huawei nova Y61 also utilizes an octa-core CPU, but lacks specific chipset details. The Helio G88’s architecture provides a noticeable performance edge in demanding tasks and gaming, offering a smoother experience compared to the likely less powerful processor in the nova Y61. The 12nm process node of the Helio G88 also suggests reasonable power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both the Huawei nova Y61 and Realme C55 achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Realme C55’s 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 29 minutes, is a significant advantage over the Huawei nova Y61’s 22.5W charging. This faster charging speed minimizes downtime and provides a more convenient user experience, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova Y61 if you prioritize a simple, clean software experience and are already invested in the Huawei ecosystem. Its focus is on core functionality and ease of use. Buy the Realme C55 if you value faster charging speeds, a slightly brighter display, and a more versatile camera system, making it ideal for users who are frequently on the go and rely heavily on their smartphone's camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How much faster is the Realme C55's charging compared to the Huawei nova Y61 in real-world use?
The Realme C55's 33W charging can add approximately 50% battery in 29 minutes, while the Huawei nova Y61's 22.5W charging will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to achieve the same level. This difference is significant for users who need a quick power boost throughout the day.
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G88 in the Realme C55 offer a noticeable performance improvement for gaming?
Yes, the Helio G88's Cortex-A75 cores and optimized GPU provide a noticeable performance boost in gaming compared to the likely less powerful processor in the Huawei nova Y61. You can expect smoother frame rates and a more responsive gaming experience on the Realme C55, particularly in demanding titles.
❓ Are there any significant software differences between the Huawei nova Y61 and the Realme C55?
Huawei's EMUI typically offers a cleaner, more streamlined software experience, though it may lack some Google services depending on the region. Realme UI, based on Android, often includes more pre-installed apps (bloatware) but provides wider access to the Google ecosystem.
