realme C35 review
The Realme C35 is the latest budget-conscious smartphone from Realme's C-series lineup. While considered entry-level, it boasts a stylish design with metallic paint job and flat edges reminiscent of newer iPhone models. However, the phone may not be comfortable to hold for users with small hands. The device features a polycarbonate rear panel with glass-like finish and a protruding camera module on the upper corner. The front sports a mini-drop notch design with noticeable bezel and no Corning Gorilla Glass protection. A pre-installed screen protector is provided, which is a welcome feature. Specifications-wise, the Realme C35 boasts a 6.6-inch IPS display with 2408x1080 resolution (401 PPI), up to 600 nits of peak brightness, and a touch sampling rate of 180Hz. The phone is powered by the unibyte Tiger T616 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage. In terms of performance, the device handles basic tasks like browsing and social media usage without issues but may experience some lag when multitasking or gaming. The battery life is decent, with a score of 15 hours and 15 minutes in PC Mark's battery test, and supports 18W fast charging. The camera setup includes a triple rear camera (15MP primary sensor, 2MP macro sensor, and 2MP depth sensor) and an 8MP front camera. While not exceptional, the cameras deliver average performance for casual use, with some minor flaws in low-light shots and video recording.
Build Quality and Design
The Realme C35 is undeniably a stylish smartphone within the company's budget-friendly lineup. The device boasts a large frame with flat edges, reminiscent of newer iPhone models, but unfortunately, it doesn't quite live up to comfort expectations, particularly for those with smaller hands. One notable aspect of the phone's design is its metallic paint job on the frame, which adds a touch of sophistication. However, this also means that handling the device can feel somewhat slippery. The rear panel is made of polycarbonate and features a glass-like finish, giving it an attractive sheen in certain light conditions. A notable design feature is the protruding camera module situated at the upper corner of the back panel. While visually appealing, particularly with the phone's Glow Green color option, this design choice may not be to everyone's taste. Moving to the front, the Realme C35 sports a mini drop notch design, which feels somewhat dated compared to more modern punch hole camera layouts. One thing that might raise some eyebrows is the noticeable bezel on the chin of the phone, which could be seen as an area for improvement. Unfortunately, Corning Gorilla Glass protection is also absent, although Realme does provide a pre-installed screen protector, which is a welcome touch. When it comes to buttons and ports, the layout is generally intuitive, with the card tray situated on the left side of the phone, followed by volume buttons. The power button, serving as both a fingerprint scanner, is conveniently located on the right side. Below this is the 3.5mm audio jack, microphone, USB-C port, and loudspeaker. While overall design quality is decent, some may find it lacking in certain aspects. Nevertheless, for those prioritizing style within budget-friendly options, the Realme C35 is certainly worth considering.
Battery Life
The Realme C35's battery life is a significant aspect that needs attention. With a 5000mAh battery, this device promises to keep you connected all day long. During our testing, the phone lasted for an impressive 15 hours and 15 minutes in PC Mark's battery test, making it suitable for media consumption. Charging the device was also relatively quick, reaching zero to hundred percent in just over an hour and thirty minutes with 18W fast charging support. This means you can top up your phone quickly when needed, without having to worry about running out of power. In terms of daily use, the battery life was satisfactory. We could easily get through a full day of social media browsing, casual gaming, and some multimedia consumption on a single charge. However, if you're a heavy user who relies on their phone for extensive tasks like video editing or gaming, you might need to top up your battery more frequently. Overall, the Realme C35's battery life is decent but not exceptional. While it can handle most daily tasks without issue, heavy users may find themselves needing to recharge more often. Nonetheless, with its impressive standby time and quick charging capabilities, this device is still a great option for those looking for an affordable smartphone with good battery life.
Display
The Realme C35's display is one aspect that stands out from the rest of the phone's design and features. The 6.6-inch IPS panel boasts a resolution of 2408 x 1080, resulting in a pixel density of 401 pixels per inch (PPI). Colors on this screen are vibrant and lively, making multimedia content a joy to consume. One notable aspect of the display is its ability to reach up to 600 nits of peak brightness. This makes it suitable for use in sunny outdoor conditions without excessive strain on the eyes. The LCD panel also has a touch sampling rate of 180 Hz, which translates to smoother and more responsive interactions with the phone. Viewing angles are decent, with good contrast that enhances the overall visual experience. However, the display's design is somewhat dated, featuring a mini-drop notch design instead of the more modern punch-hole camera layout. This could be a minor drawback for some users who prefer sleeker designs. Despite this, the Realme C35's display is one of its strongest features. It's capable of delivering excellent multimedia experiences and provides good visibility even in bright environments. If you're looking for a phone with a great display without breaking the bank, the C35 should be on your shortlist.
Camera
The Realme C35's camera system is a mixed bag, with some impressive features but also some notable limitations. The triple rear setup consists of a 15-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor, accompanied by an LED flash. In good lighting conditions, the Realme C35's camera takes decent shots with well-balanced colors and respectable sharpness. However, when faced with challenging lighting conditions or subjects, the images can appear washed out or lacking in detail. The auto HDR and AI-powered features help to improve image quality, but subject-background separation is a notable weak point. The macro camera, on the other hand, delivers hit-or-miss results depending on the amount of light available. In ideal situations, it captures crisp, detailed images, but in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, the results are often disappointing. Low-light performance is another area where the Realme C35's camera struggles. While the images captured by the main sensor are reasonable for a budget smartphone, there's an occasional flare on the lens that detracts from overall image quality. Selfie shots taken with the 8-megapixel front-facing camera are average, sometimes appearing blurry or lacking in clarity. However, they're still usable for social media postings and everyday use. Video recording is limited to 720p or 1080p at 30 frames per second without any form of image stabilization. While this might be sufficient for casual use, it's not ideal for capturing smooth video footage. In conclusion, the Realme C35's camera system has some redeeming qualities but falls short in terms of overall performance and versatility. For casual users who don't demand too much from their smartphone camera, the Realme C35 might suffice. However, for those seeking more advanced features or better image quality, there are other options available in a similar price range.
Price and Value
The Realme C35 is the latest addition to the company's budget-conscious lineup, and at its price point, it offers impressive value for money. Priced at PHP 8,499 for the base model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, and PHP 9,499 for the higher-end variant with 128GB of storage, this device is perfect for casual users who want a solid daily driver without breaking the bank. In terms of price and value, the Realme C35 delivers. It boasts a large 6.6-inch display, a capable quad-camera setup, and a generous 5000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging. The device's performance is also sufficient for most basic tasks, making it an ideal choice for those who want to stay connected online and enjoy light gaming or multimedia content. While the Realme C35 may not be the most stylish phone on the market, its design is certainly more appealing than other budget-friendly options. The metallic paint job and glass-like finish on the rear panel give it a premium feel that's hard to ignore. In terms of value for money, the Realme C35 checks all the right boxes. It offers a great balance of performance, features, and price, making it an excellent choice for those who want a reliable smartphone without overspending. Overall, the Realme C35 is a solid option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that won't compromise on quality. With its impressive specs, sleek design, and affordable pricing, this device is definitely worth considering for those in the market for a new phone.
Performance
The Realme C35 is a budget-friendly smartphone that promises to deliver performance without breaking the bank. In this review, we'll delve into the phone's capabilities and see if it can handle everyday tasks with ease. In terms of benchmark scores, the Realme C35 performed relatively well, scoring 1600 in Antutu and 3500 in Geekbench. These numbers are respectable for a budget smartphone and suggest that the device should be able to handle basic tasks like browsing social media and email without any issues. However, when it comes to multitasking, the Realme C35 starts to show its limitations. With multiple apps running in the background, the phone's performance begins to slow down, and lag becomes noticeable. This is likely due to the device's 4GB of RAM and mid-range processor. Gaming performance on the Realme C35 is another story altogether. While the phone can handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9, it starts to struggle with more demanding titles. Frame rates drop, and the phone becomes unresponsive at times. In conclusion, the Realme C35's performance is sufficient for basic tasks but falls short when it comes to multitasking and gaming. While it may not be the most powerful smartphone on the market, it should still be able to handle everyday tasks with ease. However, if you're a heavy gamer or plan to use your phone for resource-intensive activities, you may want to look elsewhere.
Pros
1. The Realme C35 is a stylish smartphone with a large screen, metallic paint job, and a polycarbonate rear panel that features a glass-like finish.
2. It has a dedicated micro SD card slot for expanding storage capacity.
3. The device's performance is sufficient for most basic tasks like browsing social media and other light apps.
4. It can handle graphically intensive games pretty well, as evident from the benchmark scores.
5. The Realme C35 has a good media consumption companion with up to 15 hours of battery life and fast charging support.
6. The camera app allows users to take photos using various modes such as Auto HDR, AIC recognition portion mode, and more.
Cons
1. The phone's design is not particularly comfortable to hold, especially for those with small hands.
2. It lacks Corning Gorilla Glass protection on the screen.
3. The device's buttons are placed in the middle of the frame but may still be inconvenient for some users.
4. The camera app can take washed-out photos and struggles with subject-background separation.
5. Selfies taken using the front camera can sometimes come out blurred or lack clarity.