The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Lava Blaze and Realme C55 both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Blaze prioritizes simplicity, while the C55 attempts to pack in more features and processing power. 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 superior choice. Its Helio G88 chipset provides a significantly more responsive experience, especially for multitasking and gaming, and the 33W charging is a substantial convenience. While the Lava Blaze is functional, it struggles to keep pace with the C55's performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 07 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 14 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.3 x 8.9 mm (6.49 x 3.00 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 | - | 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 (~81.6% 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 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Other unspecified cameras | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | 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 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), 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 | Green, Red, Black, Blue | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | LZX403, LZX411 | RMX3710 |
| Price | About 110 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) |
Lava Blaze
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly weaker performance
- Likely inferior display quality
- Slower charging speeds
Realme C55
- Much faster performance with Helio G88
- Faster 33W charging
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Potentially higher price
- May have more bloatware
- Similar battery endurance to Lava Blaze
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 659 nits and a 1264:1 contrast ratio, offering a noticeably more vibrant and visible display experience, particularly outdoors. While the Lava Blaze’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls behind in both brightness and contrast given its lower price point. The C55’s higher brightness is a tangible benefit for users who frequently consume media in well-lit environments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but without specific sensor details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme C55’s positioning suggests a more refined camera system. In this segment, Realme typically focuses on image processing algorithms to enhance photo quality. The Lava Blaze, likely utilizing a more basic sensor and software, will likely produce less detailed and vibrant images. The absence of OIS or aperture information on either device suggests both are targeting casual photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C55’s MediaTek Helio G88, with its octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), represents a significant leap over the Lava Blaze’s Helio A22 (Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53). The G88’s Cortex-A75 cores provide a substantial performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The A22, while adequate for basic operations, will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking. This translates to a smoother, more responsive user experience on the C55.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme C55’s 33W wired charging capability is a game-changer. Achieving a 50% charge in just 29 minutes provides a significant convenience advantage over the Lava Blaze, which likely supports a much slower charging speed. This faster charging mitigates any potential concerns about the C55’s battery life, making it less disruptive to daily use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Blaze if you need a basic, reliable smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and prioritize simplicity over performance. Buy the Realme C55 if you prefer a smoother, more capable experience for everyday use, enjoy occasional gaming, and value faster charging speeds. The C55 is the better option for users who want a phone that can handle more than just the basics.
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 better gaming performance than the Lava Blaze's Helio A22, which would struggle with even lower settings.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Realme C55 from 0%?
While the Realme C55 reaches 50% charge in 29 minutes with 33W charging, a full 0-100% charge will take approximately 65-75 minutes. This is still considerably faster than the Lava Blaze, which likely takes over two hours to fully charge.
❓ Does the Lava Blaze receive regular software updates?
Lava's update track record is less consistent than Realme's. Users should expect fewer software updates and security patches for the Lava Blaze compared to the Realme C55, which benefits from Realme's more robust software support.
❓ What type of storage does the Realme C55 use, and is it expandable?
While not specified in the provided data, Realme C55 typically uses UFS 2.2 storage, which is faster than the eMMC storage often found in this price range. It also supports microSD card expansion, allowing users to increase storage capacity.
