The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi G1 Max and Realme C55 both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The G1 Max focuses on a simple, streamlined experience, while the C55 attempts to pack in more features, notably faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C55 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G88 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge over the Umidigi G1 Max’s Unisoc T610, and the 33W charging is a game-changer for convenience. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the C55’s faster charging significantly improves the user experience.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.7 x 8.8 mm (6.45 x 2.98 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 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 (~82.7% 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 (2x1.8 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) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB 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), AF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-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/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@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, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | 5150 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Galaxy Blue | 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) |
Umidigi G1 Max
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Competitive price point
- Decent battery endurance
- Slow 10W charging
- Less powerful Unisoc T610 chipset
- Display brightness likely lower than C55
Realme C55
- Faster 33W charging
- More powerful Mediatek Helio G88 chipset
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Image processing may be overly aggressive
- 2MP macro camera offers limited utility
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 659 nits compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the Umidigi G1 Max. Both share a 1264:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the C55’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While neither phone is expected to feature high refresh rates, the C55’s superior brightness makes it the more comfortable option for extended viewing.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Realme’s generally more aggressive image processing, the C55 is likely to produce more vibrant, albeit potentially less natural, photos. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the C55 is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a marketing feature. The real difference will likely come down to software optimization, where Realme typically has an edge.
Performance
The Realme C55’s Mediatek Helio G88 chipset, with its 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores, offers a clear advantage over the Umidigi G1 Max’s Unisoc T610 (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75). Both utilize the same Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, but the higher clock speed of the G88’s performance cores results in snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the G88’s architecture is optimized for gaming, offering a better experience for casual mobile gamers. The G1 Max will handle basic tasks adequately, but the C55 provides a more fluid and responsive user experience.
Battery Life
Both the Umidigi G1 Max and Realme C55 achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the Realme C55’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving 50% charge in just 29 minutes. The Umidigi G1 Max is limited to 10W charging, resulting in a considerably longer charge time. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts usability, making the C55 far more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G1 Max if you prioritize absolute simplicity and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Realme C55 if you want a more responsive experience, faster charging, and a slightly brighter display – making it ideal for users who consume more media or occasionally play mobile games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G88 in the Realme C55 capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G88 can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it’s significantly more capable than the Unisoc T610 in the Umidigi G1 Max for gaming.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Umidigi G1 Max with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, a full charge from 0% on the Umidigi G1 Max will likely take around 3-4 hours. This is a significant drawback compared to the Realme C55’s 33W fast charging, which can reach 50% in under 30 minutes.
❓ Does the Realme C55 support reverse charging, allowing it to charge other devices?
No, the Realme C55 does not support reverse charging. It focuses on quickly charging itself via the 33W wired connection, but cannot act as a power bank for other devices.
❓ What type of USB port do both phones use?
Both the Umidigi G1 Max and Realme C55 utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, which is the current standard for most smartphones.
