realme C55 review
The Realme C55 is a budget-friendly smartphone that's making waves with its Dynamic Island feature, a notch-style cutout turned into a usable interface. This mid-ranger boasts a higher-res display, updated chipset, and improved main camera compared to its predecessor. With a large 5000mAh battery, 90Hz refresh rate, and decent performance, it's an attractive option for those seeking a capable phone on a low budget. But does it live up to the hype?
Build Quality and Design
The Realme C55's build quality is a step up from its predecessors, with a sturdy plastic construction that feels substantial in the hand. The flat back has a matte finish that is pleasant to touch, and our colorway features a thin pinstripe texture that adds a hint of visual interest. The frame is also flat, which gives the phone a clean and minimalist look. One design element that stands out is the glossy camera island on the rear, featuring two large circles for the cameras. While one of them is just a depth sensor, it's hard to deny that it looks sleek and modern. The front of the phone features a 6.72-inch LCD with a 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. In terms of build quality, the C55 feels solidly built and should withstand normal wear and tear without any issues. However, it's worth noting that the use of plastic does give the phone a slightly more budget-friendly feel. The design of the Realme C55 is certainly attention-grabbing, with its unique notch animation drawing eyes to the screen. While some may find this gimmick annoying, others will appreciate the visual interest it brings to the phone. Overall, the build quality and design of the Realme C55 are a major improvement over previous models in the series, making it a compelling option for those looking for a budget-friendly device with a premium feel. The overall aesthetic of the phone is cohesive and well-executed, with no obvious compromises made in the pursuit of saving costs. The matte finish on the back and the glossy camera island work together to create a visually appealing design that is sure to turn heads.
Battery Life
Among the many features of the Realme C55, one aspect that truly shines is its impressive battery life. The phone packs a large 5000mAh hour battery, which is indeed a significant upgrade over its predecessors. Our testing revealed that the C55 can easily last for 123 hours on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for users who are always on the go. What's more impressive is how efficiently the battery is utilized. The phone's software and hardware work in tandem to provide seamless performance without excessive battery drain. Whether you're browsing the web, gaming, or simply using social media, the C55's battery life remains remarkably consistent. The addition of 33W SuperDart charging further sweetens the deal. This feature allows users to quickly top up their phone and get back to using it within a matter of minutes. Our tests showed that the C55 can charge from zero to fifty percent in just half an hour, which is remarkably fast considering its budget-friendly price tag. Overall, the Realme C55's battery life is one of its most redeeming features. It's a testament to the phone's efficient design and robust hardware that allows it to provide hours of use on a single charge. If you're looking for a phone with great battery life without breaking the bank, the C55 is definitely worth considering.
Display
The Realme C55 boasts an impressive 6.72-inch LCD display with a 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. This is a welcome upgrade from the previous model's 720p display, making it a standout feature in its budget class. The LCD display may not be as contrasty as an AMOLED screen, but it offers decent color accuracy. The max brightness of the display reaches up to 550 nits with manual adjustment, and can boost up to 650 nits in auto mode. This ensures that visuals remain clear even in bright environments. The 90Hz refresh rate also smooths out swiping and scrolling on screen, making for a seamless user experience. One notable feature is the Dynamic Island, which has been touted as a game-changer by Apple. However, its implementation on the Realme C55 is somewhat limited. For now, it only turns on when charging to show the status or pops up when reaching data limits. More functions are promised via software updates in the future. The display's 1080p resolution makes it a clear winner compared to other budget phones. While not as vibrant as some higher-end displays, the Realme C55's screen is still plenty capable of delivering an enjoyable viewing experience. With its impressive display specs and decent performance overall, the Realme C55 is well worth considering for those in the market for a budget phone with a good screen.
Camera
The camera department of the Realme C55 is an area where the device shines. The primary camera boasts a 64-megapixel sensor, which is quite impressive for a budget phone. In ideal lighting conditions, the camera takes excellent photos with plenty of detail and low noise. The colors are saturated but likable, and there's good contrast and dynamic range. One notable aspect is the use of pixel binning, which reduces the resolution to 16 megapixels in default mode. However, this doesn't detract from the overall image quality, and the photos still hold up well against other budget phones. Low-light performance is also commendable, with gentle noise reduction that preserves some detail without overly compromising on clarity. The contrast remains good, and dynamic range is decent. When using night mode, the exposure, dynamic range, and color saturation improve, although there's little to no improvement in detail rendition. Selfies from the 8-megapixel front-facing camera are satisfactory, with sharp images and acceptable detail. Contrast is good, colors look nice, and auto HDR helps maintain a healthy dynamic range. When it comes to video capture, the main camera can record at up to 1080p resolution at 60fps. The footage appears excellent, with plenty of detail, good dynamic range, and contrast. Unfortunately, the audio quality leaves much to be desired, and there's no video stabilization. The dedicated depth sensor is a welcome addition, allowing for respectable portraits. While not outstanding, these photos are decent, with acceptable subject separation when lighting conditions are favorable. In conclusion, the Realme C55's camera performance is more than satisfactory for its price point. The primary camera takes excellent photos in ideal conditions, and low-light shots are good considering the budget constraints. However, there's room for improvement in night mode and video capture, particularly with regards to audio quality and stabilization.
Price and Value
The Realme C55 is the latest addition to the budget-conscious lineup from Realme, offering impressive specs at an affordable price. Priced around [$X], this phone promises a lot for its value. One of the standout features of the Realme C55 is its display. The 6.72-inch LCD screen boasts a 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, making it one of the best displays in its class. While not as contrasty as an AMOLED, the color accuracy is decent, and the max brightness of up to 650 nits is more than sufficient for everyday use. The camera setup on the Realme C55 is another highlight. The 64-megapixel main camera takes good photos with enough detail and low noise, even in low-light conditions. Night mode photos show some improvement over previous models, but the selfie camera is also capable of taking decent shots. Battery life is another area where the Realme C55 excels, thanks to its large 5000mAh battery. Charging speeds are also commendable, with the phone supporting up to 33W fast charging. While not perfect, the Realme C55 offers great value for its price. Its display, camera performance, and battery life make it a solid choice in the budget segment. If you're looking for an affordable phone that can handle everyday tasks without breaking the bank, the Realme C55 is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The Realme C55's performance is an area where it takes a step back from its competitors. The phone is powered by the budget-level Mediatek Helio G88 chipset, which promises decent performance but fails to deliver in benchmarks. In our testing, the C55 scored subpar results compared to other phones in its class. While the phone can handle casual games and perform day-to-day tasks without any issues, it's clear that there are faster chipsets available. The Realme C55 may experience slow loading times from time to time, which is a minor inconvenience but not a deal-breaker for most users. In terms of performance overall, the Realme C55 feels sluggish compared to other phones in its price range. The phone's processors struggle to keep up with demanding tasks, and multi-tasking can be a challenge. While it's still possible to get by with this level of performance, it's clear that the Realme C55 is not the most powerful device on the market. One area where the Realme C55 does excel is in its charging capabilities. The phone supports 33W fast charging, which is a first for the Realme C Series. While it may not be the fastest charger out there, it's still a welcome addition to a budget-friendly phone like this one. In terms of performance, the Realme C55 feels like a mid-range device trying to reach higher. It's not the worst performer in its class, but it's certainly not the best either. For those who prioritize performance above all else, there are better options available at similar price points. However, for those looking for a reliable phone with decent performance and impressive battery life, the Realme C55 is still worth considering.
Pros
1. A large 1080p screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and swiping.
2. Good battery life with an endurance rating of 123 hours in our battery tests.
3. Decently fast charging with 33W supervoque charging, able to charge from zero to fifty percent in half an hour.
4. A great camera for the price, with a 64MP main Cam and decent low-light photos.
5. A solid design with a flat back and matte finish, making it look good despite being made of plastic.
6. An affordable price point, fitting the budget mid-ranger category.
Cons
1. Poor audio quality when capturing video, with bad sound quality and no video stabilization.
2. Only one speaker available, which is below average in loudness.
3. The Dynamic Island feature feels gimmicky and doesn't do much for now, only showing charging status or data limit warnings.
4. Performance can be slow at times, especially during loading times of games.
5. No always on display, large folders, or dynamic widgets available due to the LCD screen.
6. A quiet speaker and poor audio quality when capturing video might turn some people off.