Xiaomi Redmi 15C vs Realme C55: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi 15C and Realme C55 are two strong contenders. The Redmi 15C arrives with a newer Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset and a focus on exceptional battery life, while the Realme C55 prioritizes a brighter display and a familiar Realme user experience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Xiaomi Redmi 15C is the clear winner. Its significantly superior battery endurance (62:06h vs 123h) and more modern Dimensity 6300 chipset outweigh the Realme C55’s brighter screen. However, users heavily focused on display clarity may prefer the C55.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi 15C Realme C55
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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 711, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, September 182023, March 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, September 18Available. Released 2023, March 08
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions173.2 x 81.1 x 8.2 mm (6.82 x 3.19 x 0.32 in)165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight211 g (7.44 oz)189.5 g (6.70 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 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 810 nits (HBM)IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 15, HyperOS 2Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm8 MP, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
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, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD, 50% in 28 min 10W reverse wired33W wired, 50% in 29 min
Type6000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Mint Green, Dusk PurpleSun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest
Models2508CRN2BC, 2508CRN2BG, 25062RN2DERMX3710
Price€ 131.09₹ 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
Battery62:06h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Xiaomi Redmi 15C

  • Exceptional battery life (62:06h endurance)
  • More modern and efficient Dimensity 6300 chipset
  • 10W reverse wired charging

  • Display brightness and technology are unknown
  • Camera specifications are not provided

Realme C55

  • Brighter display (659 nits peak brightness)
  • Decent contrast ratio (1264:1)
  • Familiar Realme UI experience

  • Older and less efficient Helio G88 chipset
  • Significantly shorter battery life (123h endurance)

Display Comparison

The Realme C55 boasts a brighter display, peaking at 659 nits, compared to the Redmi 15C’s unspecified brightness. While the Redmi 15C’s display specs are missing, the C55’s 1264:1 contrast ratio suggests a decent visual experience. However, brightness isn’t everything; panel technology and color accuracy are absent from the provided data. The C55’s higher peak brightness will be noticeable outdoors, but the Redmi 15C’s potential display characteristics remain unknown, making a definitive judgment difficult without further testing.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. This makes a meaningful camera comparison impossible based on the provided data. The absence of information suggests both phones likely employ similar budget-oriented camera setups, focusing on basic functionality rather than advanced features. Without knowing the megapixel count or sensor size, it’s safe to assume neither phone will excel in low-light photography.

Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi 15C’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Realme C55’s Helio G88 (12nm). The Dimensity 6300 utilizes more efficient Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz alongside Cortex-A55 cores, while the C55 relies on older Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 6300 translates to better power efficiency and potentially lower thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Redmi 15C is likely to maintain higher performance levels for longer periods, particularly in gaming and demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Redmi 15C’s battery endurance of 62:06h is a standout feature, dwarfing the Realme C55’s 123h rating. This massive difference suggests the Dimensity 6300’s efficiency and potentially a larger battery capacity (though not specified) contribute to significantly longer usage times. Both phones support 33W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in approximately 28-29 minutes. The Redmi 15C also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a convenient feature for topping up accessories, which the C55 lacks.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 15C if you need a phone that will reliably last through a full day – and then some – of heavy use, and if you value a more recent chipset for smoother multitasking and app performance. Buy the Realme C55 if you prioritize a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption and are less concerned with maximizing battery life or having the latest processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G88 in the Realme C55 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G88 is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but it may exhibit noticeable frame drops and throttling during extended PUBG Mobile sessions, especially at higher graphics settings. The Redmi 15C’s Dimensity 6300, with its more efficient architecture, is better equipped to handle sustained gaming workloads.
❓ How does the 33W charging compare in real-world usage between the Redmi 15C and Realme C55?
Both phones achieve a 50% charge in roughly 28-29 minutes with 33W charging. However, the Redmi 15C’s larger battery (implied by its significantly longer endurance) will take longer to fully charge from 0-100% despite the same charging wattage.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs on both phones a major concern?
Yes, it is. The absence of information regarding sensor size, aperture, and image processing suggests both phones likely feature basic camera systems suitable for casual snapshots but not for serious photography. Don't expect exceptional low-light performance or detailed images.