The Ulefone Note 16 Pro and Realme C55 represent two distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Ulefone prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, aiming for multi-day use, while the Realme C55 focuses on delivering a modern user experience with faster charging and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing longevity and minimizing charging frequency, the Ulefone Note 16 Pro is the clear winner thanks to its remarkable 40:15h endurance. However, the Realme C55 appeals to those who value quicker top-ups with its 33W charging and slightly more potent Helio G88 processor.
| 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, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 30 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 30 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.4 x 8.7 mm (6.50 x 3.01 x 0.34 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 | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | - |
| 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 (~81.4% 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 | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm | 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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4400 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Violet, Serenity Blue, Meteorite Black | Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest |
| Models | - | RMX3710 |
| Price | - | ₹ 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) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 40:15h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class C (98 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Ulefone Note 16 Pro
- Exceptional battery life (40:15h endurance)
- Potentially better thermal management due to efficient chipset
- 1000 charge cycles suggest long-term battery health
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited performance details beyond chipset
- Display specifications are unknown
Realme C55
- Faster 33W charging (50% in 29 minutes)
- More powerful Helio G88 chipset for better performance
- Brighter display (659 nits) for outdoor visibility
- Significantly shorter battery life (123h endurance)
- Less information on long-term battery health
- May experience more thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 659 nits and a 1264:1 contrast ratio, suggesting a more vibrant and visible display in bright conditions. While the Ulefone Note 16 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, the Realme’s higher brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor use. The identical contrast ratios suggest similar panel technology, but the Realme’s measured data provides a concrete advantage in visual clarity.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization. Without this information, a direct comparison is difficult. The absence of details suggests both phones likely employ entry-level camera systems focused on basic photography. It's reasonable to assume the Realme C55, given its overall focus on a more modern experience, might have slightly more refined image processing algorithms.
Performance
Both phones utilize 12nm process technology, but the Realme C55’s Mediatek Helio G88 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) offers a slight CPU clock speed advantage over the Ulefone Note 16 Pro’s Unisoc T606 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to potentially snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Realme. However, the Unisoc T606 is known for its efficiency, potentially contributing to the Ulefone’s superior battery life. The Realme’s GPU is also likely more capable, offering a better gaming experience.
Battery Life
The Ulefone Note 16 Pro’s 40:15h endurance rating is a standout feature, dwarfing the Realme C55’s 123h rating. This suggests the Ulefone can last significantly longer on a single charge. However, the Realme C55 compensates with 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 29 minutes, while the Ulefone is limited to a slower 10W charging speed. The Ulefone prioritizes longevity, while the Realme prioritizes convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Ulefone Note 16 Pro if you frequently travel, rely heavily on your phone throughout the day, or simply dislike the inconvenience of daily charging. Buy the Realme C55 if you prefer a phone that can quickly regain power during short breaks, and you engage in more demanding tasks like gaming or video streaming where the Helio G88’s extra processing power will be noticeable.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How much faster is the Realme C55's charging compared to the Ulefone Note 16 Pro in real-world use?
The Realme C55's 33W charging can add 50% charge in approximately 29 minutes, while the Ulefone Note 16 Pro's 10W charging will take considerably longer – likely over 2 hours to reach the same level. This makes the Realme ideal for quick top-ups, while the Ulefone requires a longer charging period.
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Ulefone Note 16 Pro struggle with demanding games?
The Unisoc T606 is a capable chipset for everyday tasks, but it's not designed for high-end gaming. While it can handle less demanding titles, you may experience lower frame rates and graphical settings in more resource-intensive games compared to the Realme C55's Helio G88.
❓ Is the difference in battery endurance between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The Ulefone Note 16 Pro's 40:15h endurance means you could potentially use it for two full days on a single charge with moderate use, while the Realme C55 will likely require daily charging. This is a significant difference for users who prioritize battery life.
❓ Does the Realme C55's Helio G88 chipset generate a lot of heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G88 is known to generate more heat than some other chipsets in this price range. While the Realme C55 likely has thermal management features, prolonged gaming at high settings could lead to noticeable warming and potential performance throttling.
