Ngtechgist often reviews the finest affordable Android phones, and I believe the Realme C35 is a candidate for the title in 2022. With an eye-catching color option, a high-resolution primary camera, and although its specifications aren’t the highest tier by any means, it’s got the tools to compete.
For the last several weeks, I’ve been using the Realme C35 as a backup device to determine whether it can compete with Motorola’s Moto G31 as an outright Android buy. As a whole, I’ve been pleased, however, there are always certain limitations to be aware of when shopping on a budget. So, is the C35 a good buy? This is my interpretation of it.
CONSIDERING THE REALME C35?
The 64GB version of the Realme C35 costs £149 in the UK, while the 128GB version costs £169. As operating systems and programs rapidly gobble up capacity and influence overall operability, I recommend going with the additional storage choice.
You can get the identical model in Europe for €199, which is the same price as in the United Kingdom. But in India, where the identical model costs Rs11,999, it’s a big seller. No matter what currency you’re using, this is a great deal.
Design & Display
Whether it’s in Glow Green (as seen) or Glow Black (which isn’t shown but I have no idea how it would ‘glow’), the Realme C35 is clearly designed to catch your eye. One thing I like about it is that Realme has kept the branding on a more friendlier level. Some previous handsets were filled with slogans and large logo that I’m not sure anybody genuinely wants. This one has a nice shade of green. This, on the other hand, is rather clever – but it’s made of cheap plastic, so don’t be fooled into thinking it’s high-end.
Toward the top right corner, there’s a camera cage that extends a bit, but not by a great deal. When the phone is on its back, it does wobble a little bit, but it’s nothing compared to what I’ve seen with other high-end phones with big camera systems. With its 8.1-millimeter thickness and flat display, the C35 has no real explanation for the cameras’ placement. In fact, I’m surprised they weren’t integrated into the body.
Realme’s power and volume up/down buttons are located on the device’s right and left sides, which is unusual for an Android tablet (when facing the screen). Despite the fact that it’s not a deal-breaker for prospective buyers, I still find this unusual since it serves no meaningful purpose. The fingerprint scanner is likewise located on the power button, and so far, I’m satisfied with how well it works.
And now for the fun part: putting it all on display. The Realme C35 isn’t slashed in every aspect because it’s cheap. The 6.6-inch diagonal LCD screen is large and brighter than most of the ones I’ve seen on inexpensive phones in the past (Realme quotes 600 nits). However, the auto-brightness does kick in and darken the screen a little too much from time to time in order to save battery life. On the other hand, I’ve observed that fingerprints seem to stick to this screen more often than on other devices that I routinely use.
Aside from that, the display is quite well-specified, with a resolution that exceeds expectations (at 1080 x 2408 pixels). Only the refresh rate, which is restricted to 60Hz, will be able to compete with step-up devices (not the 90Hz or 120Hz smoother potential of some competitors). There’s no separate front-facing camera punch-hole here, so if you don’t like teardrop notches, you’re out of luck. But I don’t mind either way.
Camera quality and features
It’s common for inexpensive phones to have poor-quality cameras. The Realme C35, on the other hand, handles things a bit differently: it packs a respectable primary camera with two cheap secondary lenses. On the other hand, it’s very common of many cheap products to include a bunch of less useful optics just to make the total higher.
I’ll get the bad news out of the way first: the macro quality is low-res, fuzzy to the edges, and you need some guessing to get the focus perfect (since it’s all about distance, i.e. it’s manual). You can capture better close-up photographs without having to switch on the “Macro” preset in the app and instead utilizing the camera’s standard mode!
What is this depth sensor for? I’ve never used these since the ‘fluffy’ blurred margins around the features of the people never make for very realistic pictures. There is a ‘Portrait’ option for this lens, so it isn’t completely worthless if you want it.
Stick with the primary camera however, and you’ll be pleased with the results. Even though the sensor is just 12.5MP rather than 50MP in size, it produces clear and crisp photographs. The camera app is fast and responsive; I sometimes didn’t even realize I had taken a picture since the app was so fast.
As a result of the automated high dynamic range (HDR) adjustment, as well as in-app editing options, the shadows and highlights of your photos will be offset. A simple click-to-focus/expose on the screen handles a wide range of objects, including backlighting, with simplicity.
It’s no surprise that the C35’s camera doesn’t include a wide-angle lens, optical zoom, or any other bells and whistles. However, if you concentrate on the primary optic, you’ll find that it’s an excellent value at this price. This low-cost phone performs well even in low-light conditions, as I discovered when riding the London Underground.
Realme C35 Battery life and performance
Things become a little more subdued in the Realme C35’s interior. A Tiger T616 CPU from Unisoc can make you wonder, “What? No Qualcomm?”. The C35 still works well, thus I’m able to easily switch between programs, software panels, and even games despite the glitch.
Even though I’ve been playing Lemmings every now and then, I’ve had no stuttering or other animation concerns. A PUBG Mobile champion smartphone is unlikely, but that is expected with hardware of this caliber. It’s acceptable to play casual games if you don’t care about those kinds of things. And it’s a far cry from the Nokia 3.4, for instance.
The C35 has a 5,000mAh battery on board, which contributes to the device’s bulk. However, with a CPU that doesn’t transform the device’s body into a little furnace, that’s a reasonable capacity. You can use it for a long time without any issues — I’ve been getting 16 hours or more of “typical” usage out of it without any issues.
Using an 18W charger, which isn’t very quick by today’s standards, recharges the battery. It was taking over an hour for my phone to re-charge. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it does demonstrate where the C35 falls in the Realme product line.
REALME C35 SPECIFICATIONS
General (13)
| Launch Date | March 7, 2022 (Official) |
|---|---|
| Price In India | 11999 |
| Brand | Realme |
| Model | C35 |
| Operating System | Android v11 |
| Custom Ui | Realme UI |
| Sim Slots | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| Sim Size | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: Nano |
| Network | 4G (supports Indian bands), 3G, 2G |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes |
| Quick Charging | Yes |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 2 MP + 0.3 MP |
| Front Camera | 8 MP |
Design (5)
| Height | 164.4 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 75.6 mm |
| Thickness | 8.1 mm |
| Weight | 189 grams |
| Colours | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
Display (10)
| Screen Size | 6.6 inches (16.76 cm) |
|---|---|
| Screen Resolution | 2408 x 1080 Pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 |
| Bezelless Display | Yes, with waterdrop notch |
| Pixel Density | 400 ppi |
| Display Type | Full HD+ LCD |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| Screen To Body Ratio Claimed By The Brand | 90.7 % |
| Screen To Body Ratio Calculated | 84.62 % |
Other Variants
| Realme C35 64 GB 4 GB | $198.99 |
Performance (5)
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Octa core (2 GHz, Dual core, Cortex A75 + 1.8 GHz, Hexa Core, Cortex A55) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Graphics | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| Ram | 4 GB |
Storage (2)
| Internal Memory | 64 GB |
|---|---|
| Expandable Memory | Yes, Upto 1 TB |
Camera (10)
| Camera Setup | Single |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 50 MP f/1.8, Wide Angle, Primary Camera, 2 MP f/2.4, Macro Camera, 0.3 MP f/2.8, Depth Camera |
| Auto Focus | Yes |
| Flash | Yes, LED Flash |
| Image Resolution | 8150 x 6150 Pixels |
| Settings | Exposure compensation, ISO control |
| Shooting Modes | Continuos Shooting, High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) |
| Camera Features | Auto Flash, Face detection, Touch to focus |
| Video Recording | Yes |
| Front Camera Resolution | 8 MP f/2.0, Primary Camera |
Battery (4)
| Capacity | 5000 mAh |
|---|---|
| Type | Lithium Polymer |
| Quick Charging | Yes, Fast, 18W |
| Usb Typec | Yes |
Network Connectivity (10)
| Sim Size | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: Nano |
|---|---|
| Network Support | 4G (supports Indian bands), 3G, 2G |
| Volte | Yes |
| Sim 1 | 4G Bands : TD-LTE 2600(band 38) / 2300(band 40) / 2500(band 41), FD-LTE 2100(band 1) / 1800(band 3) / 2600(band 7) / 900(band 8) / 700(band 28) / 850(band 5) / 800(band 20), 3G Bands : UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz, 2G Bands : GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz, GPRS : Available, EDGE : Available |
| Sim 2 | 4G Bands : TD-LTE 2600(band 38) / 2300(band 40) / 2500(band 41), FD-LTE 2100(band 1) / 1800(band 3) / 2600(band 7) / 900(band 8) / 700(band 28) / 850(band 5) / 800(band 20), 3G Bands : UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz, 2G Bands : GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz, GPRS : Available, EDGE : Available |
| Wifi | 802.11, b/g/n/n 5GHz |
| Wifi Features | Mobile Hotspot |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 |
| Gps | with A-GPS, Glonass |
| Usb Connectivity | Mass storage device, USB charging |
Multimedia (2)
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
|---|---|
| Audio Jack | 3.5 MM |
Special Features (3)
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes |
|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor Position | Side |
| Other Sensors | Light sensor, Gyro-Meter, Proximity Sensor, Acceleration Sensor, Magnetic Induction sensor |
Warranty (1)
| Warranty | 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty |
|---|