The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme C55 and Infinix Hot 30i are two contenders vying for your attention. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they take different approaches. The Realme C55 prioritizes charging speed and processing power, while the Infinix Hot 30i focuses on keeping costs down. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C55 is the better choice. Its Helio G88 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the Infinix Hot 30i’s Helio G37, and the 33W charging is a game-changer, reaching 50% charge in just 29 minutes. While the Infinix is cheaper, the Realme’s advantages justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 27 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 27 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G37 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, XOS 12 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 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 | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | 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 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 | 10W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mirror Black, Glacier Blue, Diamond White, Marigold | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | X669C | 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) |
Infinix Hot 30i (50 MP)
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- 50MP main camera offers decent image capture.
- Acceptable battery life for basic usage.
- Slow 10W charging is a significant drawback.
- Helio G37 chipset struggles with demanding tasks.
- Likely less refined image processing.
Realme C55
- Faster Helio G88 chipset delivers better performance.
- 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Higher peak brightness improves outdoor visibility.
- Slightly higher price compared to the Infinix Hot 30i.
- Similar battery endurance to the Infinix.
- May not be a substantial upgrade for very light users.
Display Comparison
Both the Realme C55 and Infinix Hot 30i share a similar contrast ratio of 1264:1, suggesting comparable color reproduction. However, the Realme C55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 659 nits, which is a significant advantage for outdoor visibility compared to the unmeasured brightness of the Infinix Hot 30i. While neither phone is expected to have a high-end display, the Realme’s higher brightness makes it more usable in bright sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 50 MP main camera, but the image quality will likely differ due to chipset image signal processing (ISP) capabilities. The Realme C55’s Helio G88 has a more advanced ISP, enabling better noise reduction and dynamic range. While both phones likely include standard photo and video modes, the Infinix Hot 30i’s image processing will likely be less refined. The presence of a 50MP sensor on the Infinix is a positive, but the chipset's ability to leverage that sensor is critical.
Performance
The Realme C55’s Mediatek Helio G88 chipset represents a clear upgrade over the Infinix Hot 30i’s Helio G37. The G88 features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, while the G37 utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and four at 1.8 GHz. The A75 cores in the G88 offer substantially better single-core performance, crucial for app responsiveness, while the G88’s overall architecture is more efficient for multitasking. This translates to a smoother user experience, especially when running multiple apps or playing demanding games. The G37 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with more intensive workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones have an endurance rating of 123 hours, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme C55’s 33W wired charging is a massive advantage over the Infinix Hot 30i’s slow 10W charging. The Realme C55 can reach 50% charge in just 29 minutes, while the Infinix will take considerably longer. This difference in charging speed significantly impacts the user experience, allowing for quick top-ups throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 30i (50 MP) if your absolute priority is minimizing upfront cost and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media. Buy the Realme C55 if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Helio G88 in the Realme C55 powerful enough for PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G88 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. While it won't deliver the highest graphical fidelity, it provides a playable experience for casual gamers. The Infinix Hot 30i’s Helio G37 would likely require lower settings and may experience more frame drops.
❓ How long does it *really* take to fully charge the Infinix Hot 30i with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, fully charging the Infinix Hot 30i will likely take over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4 hours depending on the battery level. This is a significant inconvenience compared to the Realme C55’s 33W charging, which can reach 100% in around 65-70 minutes.
❓ Does the Realme C55 support reverse charging?
No, the Realme C55 does not support reverse charging. This means you cannot use it to charge other devices like wireless earbuds or smartwatches.
❓ What type of storage does the Realme C55 use – UFS or eMMC?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Realme C55 typically uses eMMC storage in this price segment. This is slower than UFS storage, which can impact app loading times and overall system responsiveness. The Infinix Hot 30i likely also uses eMMC storage.
