The Realme C series consistently delivers affordable smartphones packed with features. Two popular contenders are the Realme C25Y and the Realme C35. But which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison will delve into their specs, performance, and more to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C35 edges out the C25Y thanks to its slightly faster processor and improved CPU clock speeds. While both offer solid battery life and 18W charging, the C35's performance boost makes it the preferable choice for smoother multitasking and gaming, especially considering their similar price points.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 16 | 2022, February 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Available. Released 2022, February 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI R | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
| Models | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 | RMX3511 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
Realme C25Y
- Affordable price
- Reliable battery life
- Decent main camera
- Slightly slower performance
- Basic display
- Limited storage options
Realme C35
- Improved performance
- Slightly better CPU
- Stylish design
- Good value for money
- Camera performance similar to C25Y
- 18W charging is standard (not fast charging)
- May lack advanced features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, likely with an HD+ resolution. While specific panel types (LCD vs. IPS) aren't explicitly stated, expect similar viewing experiences. The C35 might have slightly improved color accuracy due to potential software optimizations, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a similar camera setup, typically including a 50MP main camera, a depth sensor, and a macro lens. Image quality will be comparable in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will likely be average on both devices. Software processing will play a significant role in the final image quality.
Performance
The Realme C35 boasts a Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset with a 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 dual-core CPU, compared to the C25Y's Unisoc T610 with a 1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 dual-core CPU. This translates to a noticeable performance difference, with the C35 handling apps and multitasking more smoothly. Both phones have 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, so the CPU difference is the key factor.
Battery Life
Both devices are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. The 18W wired charging is standard across both models, offering a reasonable charging speed for their capacity.
Buying Guide
The Realme C25Y is a good choice for users prioritizing a reliable and affordable phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The Realme C35 is better suited for those who want a slightly more responsive experience for multitasking, casual gaming, and general everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme C35 worth the upgrade from the C25Y?
If you value smoother performance and a slightly more responsive experience, then yes, the C35 is worth the upgrade. The performance difference is noticeable, especially when multitasking or playing games.
❓ What is the difference between the Unisoc T610 and T616 chipsets?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 has a slightly higher clock speed for its dual-core Cortex-A75 performance cores (2.0 GHz vs 1.8 GHz), resulting in improved overall performance compared to the T610.