realme C31 review
The Realme C31 is an intriguing budget Android phone that offers impressive value for its price tag of just £129. This Chinese smartphone maker has managed to pack in a big 4890mAh battery, which promises up to 45 days of standby power, and a multi-lens camera unit capable of producing decent results. The design is sleek and compact, with a slim body that fits comfortably in the hand. With its low price point, this phone seems like a steal - but what exactly do you get for your money?
Build Quality and Design
The Realme C31 is a stylish and compact budget phone that boasts a sleek design. At just 8.4mm deep and weighing 197 grams, this device fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, making it easy to operate with one hand. The smooth sides do have the tendency to make it slip out of your grasp if you're not careful. The Realme C31's build quality is impressive for its price tag. The phone features colored plastic on the sides and rear, giving it a premium look and feel. The lenticular style finish adds a touch of elegance, making this device stand out from other budget phones in the market. One notable feature of the Realme C31 is its fingerprint scanner, which is embedded into the power button located on the right-hand edge of the phone. This design choice makes it easy to unlock your device without having to search for the scanner. The 6.5-inch display is bordered by a thin bezel, with the front camera unit housed in a teardrop-shaped recess at the top. The display resolution of 1600 x 720 might be considered low by today's standards, but it's comparable to other budget phones in its class. The LCD display is bright and clear, making it easy to read messages both indoors and outdoors. Overall, the Realme C31's build quality and design are impressive for a phone that costs under £150. It's a great option for those who want a stylish phone without breaking the bank. While it may not be perfect, its compact size and premium look make it a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget phone with a bit of flair.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Realme C31 is its battery life. Realme claims that the phone's 4890mAh battery can last for up to 45 days of standby time, and I can attest that this is a genuine achievement. In my testing, I found that the C31 was able to easily get through a standard working day without needing to be recharged. Even with moderate usage, including streaming music on Spotify to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, the battery level would still be around 40-50% by the end of the day. The PC Mark battery drain test also yielded impressive results, lasting for an impressive 10 hours and 19 minutes. While it's worth noting that this was a controlled test, it does give an indication of just how long-lasting the C31's battery is. One thing to keep in mind is that charging the phone up can take around 2 hours and 43 minutes with the included 10W charger. This might be a bit slower than some users are used to, but for most people, it won't be too much of an issue. Overall, the Realme C31's battery life is a significant selling point, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this phone to anyone who wants a device that will last all day without needing to be recharged.
Display
The Realme C31's display is one of its more understated features, but still worth mentioning. The 6.5-inch LCD screen boasts a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels, which might seem low by today's standards, especially when compared to the likes of flagship devices. However, it's not entirely out of place for a budget phone like the Realme C31. In fact, its display resolution is comparable to that of other similarly priced phones such as the Nokia G21. While it may not be a showstopper in terms of display quality, it does get the job done in most situations. Brightness-wise, the LCD screen is adequate indoors and outdoors, making it easy to read messages on all but the sunniest of days. The bezel surrounding the display is thin, apart from at the top where the front camera unit is housed in a teardrop-shaped recess. Overall, while not impressive, the Realme C31's display doesn't actively detract from the user experience. One notable omission is the lack of high-definition video playback capabilities, which might be a letdown for those who enjoy watching their favorite shows or movies on-the-go. However, for basic tasks such as browsing the web, checking social media, sending messages on WhatsApp, and streaming music, the Realme C31's display should suffice. In terms of design, the phone's display is bordered by a simple black plastic frame at the front, while the sides and rear feature colored plastic with a lenticular style finish in either silver or dark green. The 6.5-inch screen measures 8.4 millimeters deep and weighs 197 grams, making it compact enough to slip comfortably into pockets and bags.
Camera
The camera system on the Realme C31 is one of its most underwhelming aspects. It's a multi-lens setup that promises to deliver detailed wide shots and close-ups, but unfortunately, it fails to meet expectations. In well-lit areas, you can expect acceptable results from the cameras, but even then, it's a stretch. The images lack depth and clarity, making them appear somewhat soft and washed out. It's only when using a tripod or stabilizing your hand that you'll get slightly better results. One of the biggest issues with the camera is its inability to capture decent photos in low-light conditions. Expect blurry and grainy images, which are not ideal for any photography enthusiast. The Realme C31's cameras are only suitable for casual social media uploads or sending quick messages to friends. They're not capable of capturing high-quality shots that would make you proud to share with the world. In terms of features, the camera app is relatively simple and easy to use, but it lacks some essential settings that would have made a difference in the quality of photos taken. If camera performance is a top priority for you when buying a budget phone, then the Realme C31 might not be the best choice. However, if you're looking for a basic phone for everyday tasks and occasional social media use, the cameras on this device will suffice. In conclusion, while the camera system on the Realme C31 is not the worst we've seen in budget phones, it's certainly not something to write home about. With some improvements in this area, the phone could have been a real contender in its price segment.
Price and Value
The Realme C31 is an incredibly affordable smartphone that boasts impressive specs for its price tag. Priced at just £129, this budget phone offers exceptional value for money. For those who need a basic phone to make calls, send messages, browse the web, or stream music, the Realme C31 is more than adequate. The device's slim and compact design, combined with its lightweight build of 197 grams, makes it easy to hold and operate in one hand. The price of £129 is roughly one-third of the cost of an entry-level iPhone. This budget-friendly pricing will likely be music to the ears of those who just want a phone for everyday use or as a backup device. Considering its affordable price, the Realme C31's battery performance is another standout feature. The 4890mAh battery promises up to 45 days of standby power and delivered an impressive result in our testing, lasting around 10 hours and 19 minutes with moderate usage. While the phone has some drawbacks, such as a low-resolution display, single-band Wi-Fi, and slow charging, its overall value proposition is hard to ignore. For anyone on a tight budget or looking for a basic phone without breaking the bank, the Realme C31 is an excellent choice.
Performance
The Realme C31 is a budget-friendly smartphone that aims to deliver good performance at an affordable price. In terms of performance, the phone has its strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, the Realme C31's battery life is one of its standout features. With a massive 4890mAh battery, it can last up to 45 days on standby power, making it ideal for those who want a phone that will last them a long time without needing to be charged frequently. The phone also managed to score an impressive 10 hours and 19 minutes in the PC Mark battery drain test. However, when it comes to performance-intensive tasks, the Realme C31 falls short. Playing games like Civilization Revolution 2 was a challenging experience, with noticeable chugging even at early stages of gameplay. Even less demanding games like Polytopia were playable but not without some hiccups. In terms of web browsing and streaming media, the phone performed reasonably well, although it's worth noting that it only supports single-band Wi-Fi, which may be a drawback for those who need fast internet speeds. Camera performance was also disappointing, with photos taken in low-light conditions or with shaky hands often resulting in blurry images. The camera app itself is easy to use, but the quality of photos and videos taken are not impressive. Overall, while the Realme C31's performance is average at best, its battery life and affordability make it a good option for those who want a basic phone that will last them a long time without breaking the bank.