The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi G1 Plus and Realme C55 both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take very different approaches. The G1 Plus prioritizes a basic, functional experience, while the C55 attempts to offer a more modern feature set, particularly in charging speed. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C55 is the better choice. While both phones offer similar endurance ratings (123h), the C55’s significantly faster 33W charging – capable of reaching 50% in just 29 minutes – is a game-changer. The Helio G88 chipset also provides a noticeable performance uplift over the G1 Plus’s MT8766.
| 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 | 2023 | 2023, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | 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 | 195 g (6.88 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 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8766 | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 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 | 4.2, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 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, compass | 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 Plus
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Slow 10W charging
- Outdated MT8766 chipset
- Limited performance
Realme C55
- Fast 33W charging (50% in 29 min)
- More powerful Helio G88 chipset
- Brighter display for outdoor use
- Slightly higher price
- Camera details are limited
- May include a low-resolution macro lens
Display Comparison
The Realme C55 boasts a brighter display, measured at 659 nits peak brightness, compared to the Umidigi G1 Plus (brightness data unavailable). Both displays share a 1264:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the brighter panel on the C55 will be significantly more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. Without further information on the G1 Plus’s panel technology, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy or viewing angles, but the C55’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the C55’s positioning as a more feature-rich device, it’s likely to have a more capable camera system. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses in this price bracket suggests both phones may include one, but these are generally of limited practical use. Focusing on the main sensor’s quality and software processing will be key to determining the better camera experience.
Performance
The Realme C55’s Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Umidigi G1 Plus’s Mediatek MT8766. The G88 features an octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) versus the G1 Plus’s quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53. This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The G88’s architecture, utilizing Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable boost in single-core performance, crucial for everyday tasks. The 12nm process node of the G88 also suggests better power efficiency compared to the MT8766, though real-world impact will depend on software optimization.
Battery Life
Both the Umidigi G1 Plus and Realme C55 achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the charging capabilities are drastically different. The G1 Plus is limited to 10W wired charging, while the C55 supports 33W wired charging, reaching 50% charge in just 29 minutes. This difference is significant; the C55 allows for quick top-ups, minimizing downtime, while the G1 Plus requires a much longer charging period. The faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential battery life disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G1 Plus if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. It’s a functional device for basic tasks. Buy the Realme C55 if you value faster charging, a more responsive user experience thanks to the Helio G88, and a brighter display. It’s a better all-around package for the majority of users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme C55’s 33W charging compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While the Realme C55 supports 33W charging, it utilizes Realme’s proprietary charging protocol. While it *may* work with some PD chargers, it’s not guaranteed to reach the full 33W speed. Using the included charger is recommended for optimal charging performance.
❓ How does the Helio G88 in the Realme C55 handle graphically 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 MT8766 in the Umidigi G1 Plus.
❓ Does the Umidigi G1 Plus support software updates, and for how long?
Umidigi’s software update track record is inconsistent. While they typically provide at least one major Android update, long-term support is not guaranteed. Expect limited updates compared to Realme, which generally offers more consistent software support.
❓ What type of storage does the Realme C55 use – UFS or eMMC – and how does that affect performance?
The Realme C55 utilizes UFS 2.2 storage, which is significantly faster than the eMMC storage commonly found in phones at this price point. UFS 2.2 results in faster app loading times, quicker file transfers, and a more responsive overall user experience.
