The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme C35 and Xiaomi Redmi 10C are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one delivers the best overall experience? This detailed comparison will break down every aspect to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C takes the crown thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset and more efficient 6nm manufacturing process. While the Realme C35 has a sleek design, the Redmi 10C's performance advantage makes it the better value for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 10 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 14 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 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 | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@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 | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glowing Black, Glowing Green | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | RMX3511 | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
Realme C35
- Sleek and modern design
- Larger screen (6.5-inch)
- Decent battery life
- Underpowered chipset
- Mediocre camera performance
- Slower software updates
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Efficient 6nm process
- Better camera quality
- Smooth performance
- Less striking design compared to C35
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, but the Redmi 10C generally offers slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Realme C35's screen might appear a bit more vibrant due to its panel characteristics, but the Redmi 10C's display is more consistent.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 10C generally produces better image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. While both have a 50MP main sensor, the Snapdragon's image processing is superior. The Realme C35's camera is adequate, but lacks the detail and dynamic range of the Redmi 10C.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 10C truly shines. The Snapdragon 680 is a substantial upgrade over the Unisoc Tiger T616. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 10C. The Realme C35 can handle basic tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life. However, the Redmi 10C's more efficient chipset contributes to slightly better battery endurance, especially during intensive use.
Buying Guide
The Realme C35 is a good option for users prioritizing aesthetics and a slightly larger screen, but who aren't demanding heavy performance. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is ideal for those seeking a smoother, faster experience for everyday tasks, gaming, and multitasking, even on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset.
❓ Does the Realme C35 have 5G?
No, neither the Realme C35 nor the Xiaomi Redmi 10C support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G devices.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Xiaomi generally offers slightly better software update support than Realme, although both brands can be inconsistent.