At the beginning of March, the Realme C55 was announced for China and, luckily, we did not have to wait long for its arrival in Spain. In our country its launch has already taken place and you can buy right now at 199 euros with a discount (its original price is 299 euros).
In Xataka Android we have been able to test it. And although in its analysis we will throw out many more details, there are already certain sections that we have already been able to test of this mobile that, despite being more typical of the entry range, adds interesting incentives more typical of the mid-range. And that, at least on paper, is always positive.
Technical sheet of the Realme C55
REALME C55 |
|
---|---|
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT |
165.6 x 75.9 x 7.89mm 189.5 grams |
SCREEN |
6.72 inch LCD Full HD+ resolution 90Hz refresh 680 nits |
PROCESSOR |
MediaTek Helio G88 |
RAM |
8GB |
STORAGE |
256GB |
FRONT CAMERA |
8MP |
REAR CAMERAS |
Main: 64 Mpx Depth sensor: 2 Mpx |
BATTERY |
5,000mAh 33W fast charging |
SOFTWARE |
One UI 4.0 Based on Android 13 |
CONNECTIVITY |
4G/LTE Wi-Fi 2.4/5GHz Bluetooth 5.2 USB-C |
OTHERS |
Fingerprint reader on the side |
PRICE |
229 euros (199 euros as an introductory offer) |
Mobile – realme C55, Black, 256 GB, 8 GB RAM, 6.72 ” FHD+, Helio G88 Powerful Octa-core Architecture, 5000 mAh, Android 13
Continuous design, although improved
The aesthetic line of this Realme C55 seems very similar to that seen in other phones of the ‘C’ series of the brand. See the Realme C33 as an example. flat edges and slightly curved corners They are its trend, leaving its double camera in the back that stands out greatly for including its double lens in a very striking circular double module format.
Regarding materials, we find plastic as usual in these ranges. Offers matte texture and a double coating that prevents fingerprints from sticking easily. Precisely that texture is what makes that color possible glitter glitter In the case of the “golden” model, which we already warned that depends on the light it receives, it can be seen in other shades. Black, for its part, is always perceived in that hue, despite not losing that brilliant aftertaste.
If we talk about ergonomics, We didn’t find it slippery and it fits well in the hand. Although here comes the matter of how each one feels with flat edges like the one on this Realme C55. Personally, I still prefer more curved edges, but I admit that this terminal has not made me uncomfortable either.
Regarding the screen, say that a very good panel is felt compared to what is usually seen in the range. The 90 Hz gives it that sensation of fluidity and its color calibration, as well as the FullHD + resolution makes consuming multimedia content seem like a strong point.
If we talk about the brightness of the screen, we already see that at the high end they keep adding more and more maximum brightness capability. In the mid-range and in these budget ranges a little less, but the C55 also surprises here with 650 nits. a shine that does not make us suffer excessively outdoors, although it is not without problems. In our tests in full sun we have been able to verify it. However, we applaud this step given the trend that still exists to incorporate 400-500 nit panels in this range.
The first mini capsule on Android (and that requires updating)
We continue with one of the star sections of this Realme and that emulates the Dynamic Island that premiered the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. In fact, it is the first Android to incorporate it natively.
What this so-called “mini capsule” supposes is have a small module at the top in which to see certain information. In fact, it is a way to hide your front camera, implementing by software a black fill to your right and left in which you provide that information. For example, notifications, information about the battery or the song that is playing.
The bad news is that We have not been able to test it because it is disabled. In fact, although we looked in the settings, there was no way to activate it. Realme itself confirmed to us that for this it requires an update, which was pending, although we could not install it on the site where we were.
Its big bet is memory and fast charging
Inside the Realme C55 houses a MediaTek chip oriented to cheap range mobileshe Helium G88. Starting from that base and that it is a chip that has been presented for almost two years, it is intuited that the power is not the maximum of this device. But it doesn’t have to be bad news either.
It is not surprising to find a chip of this type and, although we have not yet been able to squeeze enough out of it to obtain conclusive evidence, we must say that seems more than enough for “normal” use. In other words, leaving aside highly demanding processes such as photo or video editing or games with high graphics, it aims to be a mobile with good performance in tasks as daily as checking social networks, browsing the Internet or using messaging apps.
We have not perceived any lag and it feels fluid. Good fault for this is that we find ourselves with 8 GB of RAM and a system as light as Realme UI 4.0, which we will talk about later.
The great asset of this device is that comes with 256 GB of storage, a capacity more than enough for a large part of your target audience. Although everything depends on the weight of the data that is stored in it, Realme speaks of an average of 53,000 photos, 70 games, 860 applications and 860 downloaded chapters of a series.
The other star feature here is that it has a 33W charging power (and include charger). It is worth not being the 240 W of the Realme GT 3, but it is a remarkable power in this range in which 18 W loads tend to prevail in the best of cases. According to the manufacturer, the 33 W should be enough for a 50% charge in 29 minutes and a full charge in 63 minutes. In other words, in just over an hour it would be ready.
An Android 13 that is not pure, but very clean
At the end of 2022 we knew the list of Realme devices that would update to Realme UI 4.0, its latest iteration based on Google’s operating systemAndroid 13.
The Realme C55 was not on that list because it did not exist yet, but it does come with Realme UI 4.0. This is still a very light layer and hardly any blotware. Something that is appreciated in any type of device and especially in cheap range terminals like this one in which carrying pre-installed apps is usually a way to lower their cost.
And things promise if we take into account that Realme already guarantee 3 years of updates. at least this is the promise they made last year in reference to the ‘C’ series. Therefore, this Realme C55 should, at least, reach at least Realme UI 7.0, a version that would presumably be based on Android 16.
The camera promises a lot for the range in which it is found
Like so many other things, a first contact has seemed insufficient to be able to squeeze the camera well. However, in freehand and automatic tests we have been able to verify that It is a mobile with potential herealways having the context of his range clear, of course.
Its 64-megapixel main sensor is an old acquaintancesince it is the same one that mounts the Realme GT Neo 2. Although when analyzing that terminal they were perceived as very fair cameras for him, it seems that the C35 fits like a glove.
Regarding its predecessors, Realme says that this main sensor increases in practically everything: 54% in size, 40% in focus speed, 19.6% in pixel size, and 53.8% in clarity and resolution. In any case, we will have to wait for the in-depth analysis to appreciate whether or not these data make it one of the phones with the best camera in the entry-level range.
More contributions than sacrifices. Looks very good
Taking the conclusion of this first contact with the Realme C55, we must recognize that we leave with a very good taste in our mouths. Obviously it is not a mobile willing to fight with the most premium range and not even with the mid-range. However, he is very clear where he is aiming.
In a market where the input range still has a lot of pull, Realme wants to liven up the roost with a mobile that, according to its studies, stands out in what your target asks for. That is, in storage, camera and fast charging. In none of these points is it the best on the market, but it is probably one of the best in its niche.
There is a long year to go, but the Realme C55 lays a good foundation for the advances that entry-level mobiles should already bring in 2023.
Thus, and at the expense of testing it thoroughly to draw complete conclusions and recommend or not its purchase, it seems like a great incentive for the economic range. We will be very happy if in the end it meets the premises, since it is just what the input range needs.
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