Realme C55 : In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, Realme has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the budget segment.
The Realme C55, launched in March 2023, continues this tradition by offering a compelling mix of features at an affordable price point. Let’s dive deep into what makes this device stand out in the crowded budget smartphone market.
Realme C55 Design and Build Quality-
The Realme C55 breaks away from the typical budget phone aesthetic with its sleek and modern design. Measuring 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm and weighing 189.5g, it strikes a balance between screen real estate and pocketability.
The phone’s back panel features a unique “Mini Capsule” design, reminiscent of the Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro models, adding a touch of premium flair to this budget device.
Available in Sunshower and Rainy Night color options, the C55 caters to different tastes. The frame is made of plastic, which is expected at this price point, but Realme has done a commendable job in making it feel solid and durable.
The phone lacks an official IP rating, so users should exercise caution around water and dust.
Realme C55 Display-
The centerpiece of the Realme C55 is its 6.72-inch IPS LCD display. With a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio, it offers a crisp viewing experience with about 392 pixels per inch.
The screen boasts a 90Hz refresh rate, a feature often reserved for more expensive models, ensuring smooth scrolling and improved responsiveness in supported apps and games.
The display reaches a peak brightness of 680 nits, making it readable even under bright sunlight.
While it may not match the deep blacks and vibrant colors of AMOLED panels, the IPS LCD on the C55 offers good color accuracy and wide viewing angles.
The small punch-hole cutout for the front camera is unobtrusive, maximizing the screen-to-body ratio.
Realme C55 Performance-
Under the hood, the Realme C55 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G88 chipset.
This octa-core processor features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz for performance tasks and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz for efficiency.
The Mali-G52 MC2 GPU handles graphics duties, providing decent performance for casual gaming and multimedia consumption.
The device comes in two variants: 6GB RAM with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage. Both versions support virtual RAM expansion of up to 8GB, utilizing unused storage to boost multitasking capabilities.
The inclusion of UFS 2.2 storage ensures faster app loading times and smoother overall performance compared to eMMC storage found in many budget phones.
In day-to-day use, the Realme C55 handles basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and video streaming with ease.
While it may struggle with the most demanding games or heavy multitasking, it performs admirably for its price range.
The phone also supports microSD card expansion up to 1TB, allowing users to store large media libraries without worry.
Realme C55 Camera Capabilities-
Realme has equipped the C55 with a dual-camera setup that punches above its weight class. The main shooter is a 64MP sensor with an f/1.79 aperture, capable of capturing detailed photos in good lighting conditions.
It’s accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor, which assists in creating bokeh effects for portrait shots.
The camera app comes loaded with features like AI Scene Enhancement, which optimizes settings based on what you’re shooting, and Night mode for better low-light performance.
While the night mode can’t compete with flagship phones, it does a decent job of brightening up dark scenes and reducing noise.
For selfies, there’s a 8MP front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture. It performs well in good lighting and even includes features like AI Beauty and Portrait mode.
Video recording capabilities include 1080p at 30fps for both front and rear cameras, which, while not groundbreaking, is sufficient for casual video capture.
Realme C55 Battery Life and Charging-
One of the standout features of the Realme C55 is its massive 5000mAh battery. This powerhouse easily lasts through a full day of heavy use and can stretch to two days with more conservative usage patterns.
The efficient processor and software optimizations contribute to the excellent battery life.
When it’s time to recharge, the C55 supports 33W SuperVOOC fast charging, a feature rarely seen in this price segment. This technology can charge the phone from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes, with a full charge taking just over an hour.
The inclusion of such fast charging in a budget device is a significant selling point, addressing one of the common pain points of smartphone usage.
Realme C55 Software and Features-
The Realme C55 runs on Realme UI 4.0, based on Android 13. This custom skin offers a clean, near-stock Android experience with some useful additions.
The interface is smooth and intuitive, with plenty of customization options to tailor the experience to your liking.
Realme has promised two years of major Android updates and three years of security patches for the C55, ensuring the device stays current and secure for a reasonable period.
The company has also made efforts to reduce bloatware, though some pre-installed apps are still present.
The aforementioned “Mini Capsule” feature is a software implementation that expands the punch-hole camera cutout to display notifications and status information.
While not as advanced as Apple’s Dynamic Island, it adds a unique touch to the user interface and provides quick access to certain information.
Realme C55 Audio and Connectivity-
The Realme C55 comes with a single bottom-firing speaker that gets reasonably loud but lacks the depth and clarity of stereo setups.
However, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature for those who prefer wired audio or have legacy headphones.
On the connectivity front, the C55 supports dual SIM cards with 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, and GPS.
While 5G is absent, it’s not a significant drawback given the current limited 5G coverage in many regions and the phone’s target market.
Realme C55 Value Proposition-
Priced aggressively in the budget segment, the Realme C55 offers exceptional value for money. It brings several features typically found in mid-range devices down to a more accessible price point.
The combination of a large, high-refresh-rate display, capable main camera, fast charging, and solid battery life makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
Realme C55 Conclusion-
The Realme C55 is a testament to how far budget smartphones have come. It successfully balances performance, camera capabilities, and battery life, all wrapped in a design that belies its price tag.
While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive devices, it nails the essentials and even exceeds expectations in some areas.
For students, first-time smartphone buyers, or anyone looking for a reliable device that won’t break the bank, the Realme C55 deserves serious consideration.
It’s a prime example of Realme’s commitment to democratizing technology and bringing premium features to the masses.
In a market flooded with options, the C55 stands out as a solid choice that’s likely to satisfy users for years to come, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a feature-packed, capable smartphone.