Poco C85 vs Realme C67: A Deep Dive into Budget 4G Champions

The sub-$150 4G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco C85 and Realme C67 represent compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Poco C85 emphasizes endurance and raw CPU power, while the Realme C67 focuses on chipset efficiency and a potentially smoother overall experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and occasional gaming, the Xiaomi Poco C85 emerges as the winner. Its 77:49h endurance significantly surpasses what we'd expect from the Realme C67, and the Helio G81 offers a performance edge in CPU-intensive tasks. However, the Realme C67's Snapdragon 685 provides better efficiency.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Poco C85 4G Realme C67 4G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, September 012023, December 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, September 01Available. Released 2023, December 19
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame-
Dimensions171.6 x 79.5 x 8 mm (6.76 x 3.13 x 0.31 in)164.6 x 75.4 x 7.6 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
Display
ProtectionMohs level 6-
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~254 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 114.9 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~87.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 660 nits (typ), 810 nits (HBM)IPS LCD, 90Hz, 800 nits (typ), 950 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G81 Ultra (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 610
OSAndroid 15, HyperOS 2Android 14, Realme UI
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.1, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes, 360˚
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD, 50% in 31 min 10W reverse wired33W wired
Type6000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPurple, Black, GreenSunny Oasis, Black Rock
Models25078PC3EERMX3890
Price€ 93.00 / $ 127.50 / £ 74.90About 160 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery77:49h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Xiaomi Poco C85 4G

  • Exceptional battery life (77:49h endurance)
  • More powerful CPU for demanding tasks
  • 10W reverse wired charging for accessory top-ups

  • Older 12nm manufacturing process
  • Potentially higher thermal throttling under sustained load

Realme C67 4G

  • More efficient 6nm chipset
  • Potentially cooler operation during gaming
  • Modern chipset architecture

  • Significantly lower battery endurance
  • Lacks reverse wired charging

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature standard LCD panels, and the provided data doesn't detail resolution, refresh rate, or brightness. However, the absence of PWM frequency data for the Realme C67 raises potential concerns for users sensitive to screen flicker, a detail often addressed in Poco's budget offerings. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, typical for this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and depth/macro sensors. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization. Image processing will likely differ, with Xiaomi often favoring vibrant, saturated colors and Realme aiming for a more natural look. The usefulness of any included 2MP macro camera is questionable on both devices.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco C85’s Mediatek Helio G81 Ultra (12nm) utilizes a dual-cluster configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, prioritizing peak performance. Conversely, the Realme C67’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm) employs 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 cores and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 685 offers superior power efficiency, meaning less heat generation and potentially more sustained performance under load. However, the A75 cores in the Helio G81 provide a noticeable boost in single-core performance, beneficial for everyday tasks and less demanding games. The lack of LPDDR RAM specification for either device suggests both likely utilize slower UFS storage, impacting app loading times.

Battery Life

The Poco C85’s 77:49h endurance is a significant advantage. This translates to multi-day battery life for moderate users. While both phones support 33W wired charging, the Poco C85’s inclusion of 10W reverse wired charging adds versatility. The Realme C67’s charging speed is comparable, reaching 50% in a similar timeframe, but it lacks the reverse charging feature. The larger endurance of the Poco C85 effectively mitigates any potential charging speed differences.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Poco C85 4G if you need exceptional battery life for extended use, frequently engage in tasks that benefit from a more powerful CPU like video editing or demanding apps, and prioritize raw processing power over absolute efficiency. Buy the Realme C67 4G if you prefer a chipset known for its power efficiency, potentially leading to cooler operation during prolonged use, and value a more modern manufacturing process (6nm vs 12nm) for long-term performance consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G81 in the Poco C85 struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G81 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The chipset's strength lies in CPU tasks, not high-end GPU performance. Expect playable, but not optimal, gaming experiences.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 685 in the Realme C67 get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 685's 6nm process and inherent efficiency should result in lower temperatures compared to the Helio G81. While some heat is inevitable, it's less likely to cause significant throttling and performance drops during prolonged gaming.
❓ How does the 10W reverse charging on the Poco C85 compare to standard power banks?
The 10W reverse charging is significantly slower than charging via a dedicated power bank. It's best suited for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches in emergencies, rather than fully charging another phone.