Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise on essential features? The Realme C55 and C35 are both contenders, offering attractive designs and competitive pricing. But which one truly delivers the best value? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C55 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster charging, brighter display, and notably more powerful chipset. While the C35 offers a more affordable entry point, the C55's overall performance and features justify the slightly higher price.
| 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 | 2023, March 07 | 2022, February 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 08 | Available. Released 2022, February 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 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 | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
| Models | RMX3710 | RMX3511 |
| Price | ₹ 8,399 | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
| 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) | - |
Realme C55
- Faster Charging (33W)
- Brighter & Higher Contrast Display
- More Powerful Chipset (Helio G88)
- Better Battery Life (123h Endurance)
- Likely better camera performance
Realme C35
- More Affordable
- Decent for Basic Tasks
- Slower Charging (18W)
- Less Bright Display
- Weaker Chipset (Unisoc T616)
- Likely inferior camera performance
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 boasts a superior display with a measured peak brightness of 659 nits and an impressive 1264:1 contrast ratio. This translates to a much more vibrant and visible screen, especially in bright sunlight. The C35's display, while adequate, lacks the same level of brightness and contrast, resulting in a less immersive viewing experience. Both likely use similar LCD panel technology, but the C55's calibration and brightness are noticeably better.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the C55 is expected to have a better camera system due to its more powerful chipset and likely better image processing algorithms. Specific camera specs (resolution, aperture) are missing, but generally, a more powerful processor allows for better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The C35's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but the C55 should offer noticeably better results.
Performance
The Realme C55's Mediatek Helio G88 chipset provides a significant performance advantage over the C35's Unisoc Tiger T616. The Helio G88 offers better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming capabilities. While both phones feature octa-core processors with similar core configurations, the Helio G88's architecture and manufacturing process contribute to its superior performance.
Battery Life
The Realme C55 shines in the battery department. While both phones have similar battery capacities (likely around 5000mAh), the C55's endurance rating of 123h suggests exceptional battery life. More importantly, the C55 supports 33W fast charging, allowing it to reach 50% charge in just 29 minutes. The C35 is limited to 18W charging, making it significantly slower to recharge.
Buying Guide
The Realme C55 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and a vibrant display. It's a great choice for casual gamers and those who frequently use demanding apps. The Realme C35 is best suited for users on a tight budget who primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme C55 worth the extra money compared to the C35?
Yes, the C55's superior performance, faster charging, and better display make it a worthwhile investment if your budget allows. The C35 is a good option for those on a very tight budget, but you'll be sacrificing performance and features.
❓ What kind of games can I play on the Realme C55?
The Helio G88 chipset in the C55 can handle most casual games smoothly. You might experience some lag in more demanding titles at higher settings, but it's generally a capable gaming phone for its price range.
