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Realme C55 – Bright, Affordable, and Unconventional Review

Soumen Maity

May 21, 2023

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Detailed Review of Realme C55

With its affordable price point, the realme C55 offers an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. Despite its modest cost, it doesn’t compromise on picture quality, delivering adequate visuals that meet the expectations of everyday smartphone users. Whether you’re capturing memorable moments or enjoying multimedia content, the C55 delivers a satisfactory experience.

In terms of design, the realme C55 stands out from the crowd. It takes inspiration from the iPhone’s Dynamic Island, presenting an unconventional aesthetic that appeals to the young and trendy. This distinctive design sets it apart from other budget-friendly smartphones, allowing users to express their unique style.

Realme’s design approach for the C55 smartphone maintains some similarities with last year’s C33 model but represents a significant leap forward from the C35, its direct predecessor. Upon initial observation, the C55 appears somewhat similar to the C33, albeit with slightly larger and more prominent rear camera modules. However, this design choice is not a drawback; in fact, Realme’s commitment to introducing distinct designs in this price range sets the company apart.

The Realme C55 comes in two color options: Sunshower and Rainy Night. These names may be unconventional, but they suit the device well. For this review, we have the Sunshower variant, which truly catches the eye, especially under daylight conditions—presumably the inspiration for its name. The back panel features a textured surface with patterns reminiscent of the Matrix numbers. Unlike the C35, the C55 does not attract unsightly fingerprint smudges. However, the camera module on the back lacks any protective island, leaving the individual lenses exposed and causing the device to wobble when placed on flat surfaces.

With its flat sides resembling the Realme C35, the C55 offers a comfortable one-handed grip without any usability concerns. The device feels solid and well-balanced in hand. On the right side, you’ll find the volume rocker and power button, which also functions as a fingerprint sensor. While the button is easily accessible, its placement within a recessed cavity makes it slightly difficult to locate. Nonetheless, the fingerprint sensor performs reliably and accurately.

The bottom side of the phone houses a speaker grille, USB-Type C port, primary microphone, and a headphone jack. On the left frame, you’ll find the SIM tray, which can accommodate two nano SIM cards and a microSD for expanded storage. As for the top, it maintains a clean and minimalistic design.

One of the notable improvements in the Realme C55 is its 6.72-inch LCD panel, which offers a faster 90Hz refresh rate compared to its predecessor, the Realme C35. Instead of the outdated tear-drop notch, it now features a hole-punch display with an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 91.4%. The bottom bezel is slightly thicker than the other sides.

In terms of display quality, we were pleasantly surprised by the Realme C55’s performance for general usage and content consumption. The touch response was satisfactory, and the device even comes with a pre-applied screen protector. Despite being an LCD panel, the colors were decent, especially with the Vivid color preset enabled. Users have the option to switch between different presets for a more natural appeal. The Realme C55 supports Widevine L1, ensuring a pleasant viewing experience, as we enjoyed watching shows like “That 90s Show.” Viewing angles were also satisfactory. However, we did notice that the device struggled with 4K videos on YouTube, experiencing jitters throughout the playback. In terms of brightness, the Realme C55 offers a peak brightness of 680 nits in high brightness mode, making it usable outdoors without major issues.

Moving on to audio capabilities, the Realme C55 comes with a mono speaker that delivers decent clarity but lacks strong bass. Nevertheless, the speaker’s volume is sufficient for most scenarios. It’s worth noting that the device includes an ultra volume mode, but we recommend keeping it disabled due to audible crackling at higher volume levels.

The Realme C55 is powered by the Helio G88 SoC, an octa-core processor built on the 12nm fabrication process. This chipset has a proven track record, being utilized in phones like the Redmi 10 Prime and Infinix Note 12. It is worth noting that the Realme C55 is a 4G-enabled device, and the maximum CPU frequency of the SoC is 2GHz.

The device offers three different storage variants, all of which support features such as RAM expansion. For storage, the Realme C55 utilizes eMMC 5.1, while LPDDR4X is employed for RAM. It’s important to mention that the previous model, Realme C33, used UFS 2.2 storage at a lower price point. The shift to eMMC 5.1 in the Realme C55 is a cost-cutting measure, but it shouldn’t be a significant drawback for most users.

Overall, the Realme C55 with its Helio G88 SoC delivers reliable performance and smooth operation. While the use of eMMC 5.1 instead of UFS 2.2 may be seen as a compromise, it is not a dealbreaker considering the device’s price range and the overall value it offers.

In our review of the Realme C55, we observed that the device boasts a dual-rear camera system comprising a 64-megapixel Omnivision sensor with an f/1.79 aperture, alongside a 2-megapixel black and white camera. Notably, this sensor is identical to the one found in the Realme GT Master Edition, which is a positive aspect. For capturing selfies, the front camera offers an 8-megapixel resolution. Additionally, the device incorporates some traditional features from the GT series, such as Street Photography.

When it comes to the camera user interface (UI), the Realme C55 maintains a straightforward approach, with no significant changes compared to the previous edition. This familiarity ensures a seamless transition for users who are already accustomed to Realme devices.

Overall, the Realme C55’s camera setup, featuring the 64-megapixel Omnivision sensor and accompanying black and white camera, offers a promising photography experience. The inclusion of popular features from the GT series enhances its appeal, while the intuitive camera UI allows for easy navigation and usage.

We find the smartphone to be a highly commendable option considering its price and various advantages. While the design may be unconventional, it exudes a vibrant charm that truly makes a statement. Although the screen lacks OLED technology, the decent quality IPS display with a smooth 90 Hz refresh rate offers a satisfactory viewing experience. The camera performance, even in low-light conditions, is impressive for a budget phone, particularly excelling in night mode. Furthermore, the battery life stands out as excellent, ensuring prolonged usage without frequent recharging.

In terms of memory capacity, the smartphone offers more than sufficient space for user needs. However, it’s worth noting that the use of eMMC storage instead of the newer UFS technology is a minor disappointment. The processor, on the other hand, falls short in terms of performance as it is not a new or particularly powerful chipset. However, it’s important to acknowledge that not everyone requires intensive processing capabilities, especially if power-hungry gaming or heavy phone usage is not a priority.

Considering the overall package, the smartphone remains a compelling choice, delivering a strong value proposition. It strikes a balance between affordability and impressive features, with only a few drawbacks. The device’s unique design and notable camera capabilities, coupled with excellent battery life, make it an enticing option for budget-conscious users. While the processor may not satisfy power users, those seeking a reliable smartphone for everyday tasks will find this device to be a worthy contender.