Realme has launched the C55, a budget smartphone that offers a standard Realme experience with some compromises. In a highly competitive mid-range market, budget devices often suffer. However, the C55 seems to be a solid product with some neat features on the UI front. The device has the potential to be a value champion, but whether it is enough remains to be seen. The full review will answer this question.
Realme C55: Price & Availability
Realme C55 comes in three different variants. The first variant with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage is priced at ₹10,999, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious consumers. The second variant comes with 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, priced at ₹11,999. This variant provides more RAM for improved multitasking and overall performance. The third variant is the highest-end version with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage, priced at ₹13,999. This variant is perfect for users who need more storage space for their multimedia files and apps.
The Realme C55 can be purchased from Amazon India and Realme official website, making it easily accessible to customers across the country. The availability of the smartphone in multiple variants allows users to choose the one that suits their budget and requirements. Additionally, the smartphone’s competitive pricing makes it an attractive option for buyers looking for a reliable and feature-rich smartphone without breaking the bank.
Design
The Realme C55 boasts an impressive design that looks and feels like a premium smartphone. It features a beautiful gradient back panel with hues ranging from golden to blue and green. The Sunshower color version that we reviewed looked stunning and was a refreshing change from the usual dark-colored phones that dominate the budget segment. The Realme branding on the left side is subtle and not overdone, while the camera module on the right side has a glossier appearance and features a 64-megapixel primary camera, 2-megapixel depth lens, and LED flash. The power button with the fingerprint sensor and the volume buttons are on the right edge, while the SIM tray is on the left edge.
The bottom edge is home to a 3mm jack, Type-C charging port, and speakers that can be boosted to sound level 200. The phone weighs around 189 grams and is the slimmest Realme phone ever with 7.89mm thickness. It feels light and comfortable to carry around, but may be a bit challenging to use with one hand due to its large size. The phone comes with a protective cover that provides a good grip, but it looks gorgeous without the cover as well.
Display
The Realme C55 features a stunning 6.72-inch display with a punch-hole notch and slim bezels that ensure a large display area. The screen has a 1080×2400 screen resolution display and is the first C-series model with a 90Hz refresh rate. The display also has 680 nits of brightness and is comfortable to use outdoors, even during peak sunlight hours. The colors are vivid and ensure a decent experience whether you’re streaming videos, playing games, or using the phone in general. The phone also features Apple’s dynamic island notch in the form of a mini capsule that springs into action for a limited number of times, like when the phone is charging. The notch does not display notifications or other information as I was expecting it to. The 200-volume boost speakers enhance the audio experience and provide a more immersive experience while gaming.
Performance
The Realme C55 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G88 chipset, which results in a smooth user experience. The phone can handle multiple applications running in the background and can switch between them without any lags or hiccups. The phone also allows for multitasking, making it easy for the user to use several apps at once. Even when playing games like Hill Climb 2, the phone offers a smooth experience. However, when playing games for a longer period, the phone may feel slightly warm, which is expected.
In terms of performance, the Realme C55 is quite impressive, especially considering its price point. The phone offers a smooth user experience, with apps opening up in the blink of an eye, and there were no instances where lags or slowdowns were noticed during the two weeks that the device was used. This is great news for users who are looking for a budget-friendly device that can handle their daily tasks with ease.
However, it is worth noting that the Realme C55 is not designed for heavier tasks such as playing games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty. These games may not run smoothly on the phone, and the user may experience lags and slowdowns. Nevertheless, for its price point, the Realme C55 offers great value for money, and its battery life and performance are definitely two of its strongest features.
Software
Realme C55 comes with Android 13 out of the box with a Realme UI 4 skin. I want to get the most talked about software feature out of the way first – the mini capsule.
In their briefing, Realme said they wanted to make the experience better when pitted against iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic island. Of course, no names were thrown, but we know what they were talking about.
Over at the iPhone 14 Pro line-up, there is still some time before we can utilize the complete potential of the feature. Until then, it stands out for some users and hinders the visual experience, especially while watching content. Moreover, you cant turn it off, considering it is essentially a hardware spec.
The mini capsule on the C55 solves one of two issues right away. It’s not a hardware spec; hence it can be turned off when you don’t want it. Also, considering it is essentially a notification pop-up, it won’t affect your experience for now either.
The execution is straightforward, with the mini capsule encompassing three key areas – charging, data consumption, and steps stats.
Camera
The Realme C55 is a budget phone that has a dual camera set-up, which is typical for devices in this price category. The primary camera is a 64MP shooter with a 2MP depth sensor, and the results are impressive, considering the price point.
Let’s start with some casual shots taken outdoors. The camera has captured natural skin tones and has precise color detection of the surroundings. The HDR is also impressive, and the sensor can maintain decent details in the output.
The 64MP mode further enhances the output, with excellent details even when zoomed in. The pink on the T-shirt, for example, is well intact and matches the source color.
The dedicated 2MP depth sensor takes some time to process an image, but the results are stunning. In the portrait shot, the edge detection is crisp and precise.
However, the camera takes a dip under low lighting. Even with the dedicated night mode, the sensor finds it difficult to retain details, and there is a considerable amount of noise in the image.
The zoom feature is digital since there is no dedicated telephoto lens. But the camera does hold up well, with respectable zoom capabilities that provide decent output.
In terms of video, the camera can record 1080P videos up to 60fps. The video output is similar to what we saw in the images, with well-lit conditions being a stable ground for the camera. The audio recorded from the internal microphone is crisp. However, changing video settings requires going into a dedicated menu, which can be inconvenient.
The 8MP selfie camera is underwhelming, providing undersaturated images and completely missing the mark in portrait mode. But the AI here works perfectly, so if you like tweaking your facial features, you’re in for a good time.
The selfie camera can record 1080P videos at 30fps and performs decently for casual videos. However, if you plan to make content with the device, it’s best to rely on the primary camera set-up.
Battery
In the ever-evolving smartphone market, Realme has emerged as a major player with its affordable yet feature-packed devices. The Realme C55 is one such phone that promises a great battery life and smooth performance, all at an attractive price point.
The battery life of the Realme C55 is undoubtedly one of its strongest features. With a powerful 5000mAh battery, the phone can comfortably last for over a day and a half with medium usage. During this time, the phone can be used for streaming videos, playing mobile games, browsing through social media, attending calls, and replying to text messages, without worrying about the battery life. However, if the user indulges in heavy usage, such as playing games like temple Run 2 for half an hour, the battery level may dip by a few percentage points.
Nevertheless, the battery of the Realme C55 is impressive, and with moderate usage, it can easily last for more than 36 hours. In case the user needs to recharge the phone, Realme claims that the phone can be charged up to 50 percent in under 29 minutes. In alignment with the company’s claim, the phone took around 28 minutes to reach the 50 percent mark and slightly over an hour to be fully charged. This is great news for users who are always on-the-go and do not have time to wait for long charging periods.
VERDICT
The Realme C55 is a smartphone that offers a premium look and attractive features at an affordable price. It is a good buy for anyone looking for a budget smartphone under Rs 12,000. The phone has a smooth performance, and its features make it stand out from other phones in the same price range.
The only downside to the phone is that the mini capsule could offer more features, and the phone could be better at capturing night shots. However, this does not detract from the phone’s overall performance.
Realme C55 looks like the company’s attempt to bring the best of all worlds to the budget smartphone audience. The phone’s base variant, which has 4GB RAM and 64 GB storage, costs Rs 10,999 and is worth the money. The phone’s other features include a 6.5-inch HD+ display, a MediaTek Helio G35 processor, a 5000mAh battery, and a 13-megapixel primary camera.
Overall, the Realme C55 is a budget smartphone that offers excellent value for money. It is a great option for anyone who wants a premium smartphone experience without breaking the bank.
