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Realme C35 review: A Good Choice, but there are Cheaper Options

Realme, a well-known brand in 2022, has expanded to include less expensive phones, like the Realme C35. Although it belongs to the company's entry-level range, this premium phone offers remarkable value for the money. Its 50-megapixel primary camera, which uses Sony's IMX766 sensor, is its most notable feature. It takes remarkably good low-light photos, outperforming most inexpensive phones in terms of color and light capture.

However, the Realme C35 is devoid of some capabilities, like an ultra-wide camera and other camera modes, like a document-scanning tool or the front-facing camera's Portrait mode. However, the Realme C35 works well for routine tasks like surfing through social media or using apps. Even if it might not appeal to gamers, it's a good substitute in the low to mid-range mobile segment.

The phone has a unique design and comes in black and glowing green (named Glowing Green). It's still a good value for the money in spite of its size and sharp edges.

Even with a few small hiccups, the Realme C35 exceeds expectations and provides great value for the money. It stands out among smartphones that are affordable thanks to its speedy performance, stylish appearance, and exceptional photographic skills. Considering its efficient Unisoc T616 SoC, the Realme C35 offers a seamless user experience for both casual gaming and multitasking.

In comparison to other devices in its class, charging speeds are reasonable even though they might not be remarkable. All things considered, the Realme C35 stands out as a strong choice for those looking for a premium, reasonably priced smartphone in the mid-range segment since it combines a stylish appearance with excellent performance.

Is the Realme C35 Design Stuck in the Past?

With its roomy 6.6-inch display, the Realme C35 is a visually arresting smartphone that demands attention. Though not incredibly tiny, the bezels—particularly those surrounding the chin—don't take away from the device's overall appeal. Its distinct look comes from the way its design combines rounded and flat parts, which are most noticeable on the sides and rear. The "Glowing Green" color scheme is made more appealing by the transparent plastic accent on the back triple camera arrangement.

The Realme C35's design is more similar to that of the iPhone 13 Pro than it is to other Android phones. It has an advantage over Apple's flagship, though, because it has user-friendly features like a headphone port, USB-C charging, and expandable storage. Furthermore, the Realme C35 is compatible with dual SIMs and a microSD card simultaneously, thanks to its three-card slot configuration.

Despite being expected at this price range, the 6.6-inch IPS display performs admirably. It has a resolution of 1080p and covers 95% of the color gamut of DCI-P3. It has an average Delta E of 2.22 and a gamut volume of 97.4%. In addition, the screen has a decent contrast ratio of 1,137:1 and brightness of 449 cd/m2. Even though it refreshes at 60 Hz and does not have OLED technology, these are acceptable concessions considering its low price of less than PKR 45,000.

The Realme C35's vivid Glowing Green hue may draw your attention at first, but up close, it has a more traditional appearance. Key connectors like USB-C and a 3.5mm headphone jack are included, along with physical buttons like the power button that also functions as an embedded fingerprint reader and volume rocker.  However, the fingerprint scanner may be somewhat finicky to use, requiring a workaround to improve its reliability.

Because of its sharp edges and large size, the phone is not the most comfortable to hold, which is why a protective case is advised. In spite of these small flaws, the Realme C35 is an attractive bundle that combines price, practicality, and elegance in one gadget.

Can the Realme C35 Handle Modern Games?

The Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset, which powers the 4G phone Realme C35, is infamous for operating slowly and stutteringly. The phone is easy to use for basic chores like checking emails and social networking apps as well as for basic menu navigation. It isn't ideal for gamers, though, as high-end games won't run smoothly on this phone.

The Realme C35 comes with 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of storage, which is recommended for users who want their phone to last through several applications installed. 

The MediaTek Helio G85 in the Moto G31 and Qualcomm CPUs used by Xiaomi and Nokia outperform the Realme C35 in terms of 3D performance. You may want to seek elsewhere if you want to play games at higher frame rates.

The Realme C35's processor, the Unisoc Tiger T616, may make you think of sluggish and jerky phones, but it's actually not that bad. Although not as speedy as more expensive phones, the phone is nonetheless easy to use.

In conclusion, the Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset of the Realme C35 is a low-cost phone that performs well for its price. It's not for gamers, but it's an excellent option for folks who want to play games like Pokémon Go, Candy Crush, and Angry Birds.

The Waiting Game: Will Realme Support the C35 in the Long Run?

Android 11 powers the Realme C35, with the Realme UI layered on top. Since many Chinese firms employ their forks of well-known open-source programming, this is a change in design.

The Realme C35's menus are designed to resemble pure Android, featuring a simple layout for the app drawer, main menu, and Quick Settings list. Additionally, there are less pre-installed apps and bloatware.

However, since most phone makers are reluctant to update their low-cost smartphones, Android 11 is not the most recent version of the Realme C35's release. 

Given how inconsistently most phone makers update their low-cost smartphones, it is unclear if Realme will continue to support the handset. Since Android 11 isn't the most recent version to be released for the Realme C35, it remains to be seen if Realme will continue to support the device.

RapidGate vs. Reality: Can the Realme C35 Battery Live Up to its Fast-Charging Claims?

The Realme C35 is a smartphone with a 5,000mAh battery, which is a combination of an LCD 60Hz screen and a lack of 5G connectivity. This makes it one of the longest-lasting smartphones we've tested recently. The phone can last through a day of use, even into the second day, with activities like social media, photography, and app downloads.

However, charging speed is 18W, which takes over an hour to charge. This makes it suitable for those who charge their devices overnight, not during their morning shower. The Realme C35 has a battery life of over 15 hours in our tests, but it is not as long-lasting as its competitors.

The Nokia G50 and Redmi Note 11 provide over 20 hours of charging, while the Moto G31 almost manages a full day. The charging speed is 18W, which is not fast, and it takes over an hour to charge the phone up to full. The Realme C35 offers unrivaled longevity that keeps up with an active lifestyle, allowing users to enjoy uninterrupted usage from dawn till dusk.

Night Owl Approved? Exploring the Realme C35 Camera's Low-Light Performance

The Realme C35 is a budget camera phone with a 50 MP main camera that uses the Sony IMX766 sensor, which is surprisingly competent for taking colorful and bright snaps. It captures more detail in low-light and night settings, making it one of the best budget camera phones available. However, there are two main issues with the Realme C35: the lack of an ultra-wide camera and the absence of HDR in the AI department.

The camera app offers a well-rounded selection of modes including Night, Pro, and Panorama, but there are some notable absences. There is no document-scanning mode and Portrait shots can't be taken with the front-facing camera. The selfie snapper is an 8-megapixel f/2.0 camera, which is fit for purpose, taking photos that are bright and clear. However, don't expect generous levels of detail or nuanced color reproduction, or a Portrait mode.

One odd feature of the camera app is that pictures look far better when captured than they did in the camera preview. While this is a common issue, with the Realme C35, the difference is pronounced. At least the results were better, rather than worse. Video recording goes up to 1080p at 30fps, which is suitable for any footage captured for social media.

Like the cheaper Realme C31, the C35 comes with a triple camera array including both a macro lens and a monochrome sensor. The difference is in the main lens, which jumps from a 13MP (f/2.2) number to a 50MP (f/1.8) sensor. On paper, that sounds like quite the difference, and early impressions were indeed good. However, when zoomed in, it actually has less detail than the same image captured by the C31's 'inferior' 13MP camera.

In low-light conditions, it's less clear cut, but the fact that it's even competitive does make you wonder why you'd spend £40 more. The front-facing 8MP (f/2) selfie camera is good enough, but it doesn't overdo it with the beauty filters. As a video camera, the Realme C35 isn't anything to write home about. It's capable of shooting 1080p video at 30fps, but the content is soft and a little lacking in detail.

Despite these issues, the Realme C35 is one of the most amazing budget camera phones around, with its 50 MP main camera being a highlight. The camera app offers a wide range of modes, but the lack of HDR and Portrait mode makes the results seem more difficult to achieve. Overall, the Realme C35 is a great choice for those looking for a budget camera phone with a high-quality camera and a decent selfie camera.

Addressing Common Queries

Q Is the Realme C35 a good choice for its price range?

Yes, the Realme C35 offers remarkable value for its price range, providing excellent performance, stylish design, and impressive photographic capabilities.

Q Does the Realme C35 have a good camera for low-light photography?

The Realme C35's 50 MP main camera with the Sony IMX766 sensor excels in capturing colorful and bright photos even in low-light conditions, making it one of the best budget camera phones available.

Q What are the drawbacks of the Realme C35's camera?

While the main camera performs admirably, the absence of an ultra-wide camera and HDR in the AI department are notable drawbacks. Additionally, there's no Portrait mode for the front-facing camera.

Q How does the design of the Realme C35 compare to other smartphones in its class?

The Realme C35 boasts a unique design with a visually arresting 6.6-inch display. While it may not be the most comfortable to hold due to its sharp edges and large size, it offers practical features like a headphone port, USB-C charging, and expandable storage.

Q Is the Realme C35 suitable for gaming?

The Realme C35's Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset performs adequately for basic tasks like checking emails and social networking, but it may struggle with high-end gaming. It's recommended for casual gaming rather than demanding titles.

Q Will Realme continue to support the C35 with updates in the future?

While the Realme C35 currently runs on Android 11 with the Realme UI, there's uncertainty about future updates and support from Realme, as low-cost smartphones often receive inconsistent support from manufacturers.

Q How long does the Realme C35's battery last, and how fast does it charge?

The Realme C35 features a 5,000mAh battery, providing long-lasting usage for activities like social media and photography. However, its 18W charging speed may take over an hour to fully charge the device.

Q What are some alternatives to the Realme C35 in its price range?

Alternatives to consider include the Nokia G50, Redmi Note 11, and Moto G31, which offer competitive features such as longer battery life and faster charging speeds. However, they may have different trade-offs in terms of performance and camera capabilities.