Realme C55, first impressions: much more than the first Android with “dynamic island”

At the beginning of March, the Realme C55 was announced for China and, fortunately, we did not have to wait long for its arrival in Europe. Its launch has already taken place in our country and you can buy now at 199 dollars with a discount (its original price is 299 dollars).

In Xataka Android we were able to test it. And although in its analysis we will throw many more details, there are already some sections that we have already been able to test of this mobile which, although they are more typical of the entry range, adds interesting incentives more typical of the mid-range. And that, at least on paper, is always positive.

Realme C55 spec sheet

Continuing, though improved design

The aesthetic line of this Realme C55 seems very similar to that of the brand’s other “C” series phones. See the Realme C33 as an example. flat edges and slightly curved corners They are its trend, leaving its dual camera on the back which stands out greatly for the inclusion of its dual lens in a very striking circular dual-module format.

Regarding the materials, we find plastic as usual in these ranges. Offers matte texture and a double coating that prevents fingerprints from sticking easily. It is precisely this texture that makes this color possible you shine you shine In the case of the “golden” model, which we have already warned depends on the light it receives, it can be seen in other shades. Black, for its part, is always perceived in this shade, even if it does not lose this bright aftertaste.

If we talk about ergonomics,We didn’t find it slippery and it fits well in the hand. Although this is about how everyone feels with flat edges like this Realme C55. Personally, I always prefer more curved edges, but I admit that this terminal did not make me feel uncomfortable either.

Regarding the screen, let’s say that a very good slab feels compared to what we usually see in the range. The 90 Hz gives it that feeling of fluidity and its color calibration, as well as the FullHD + resolution make the consumption of multimedia content a strong point.

If we talk about screen brightness, we already see that in the top of the range it keeps 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 burst which does not make us suffer excessively on the outside, although it is not without problems. During our tests in direct sunlight, we were able to verify this. However, we applaud this step given the trend that still exists to incorporate 400-500 nit panels into this range.

The first mini capsule on Android (and which requires an update)

We continue with one of Featured sections of this Realme and which emulates the dynamic island that the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max released. In fact, it’s the first Android to integrate it natively.

What this so-called “mini capsule” assumes is have a small module at the top in which to see some information. In fact, it’s a way to hide your front camera, by software implementing a right and left black fill in which you provide this information. For example, notifications, battery information or the song currently playing.

The bad news is that We could not test it because it is disabled. In fact, although we looked in the settings, there was no way to enable it. Realme itself confirmed to us that for this it requires an update, which was pending, although we were unable to install it on the site where we were.

Its big bet is memory and fast charging

Inside the Realme C55 houses a MediaTek chip geared towards low-end mobiles, Helium G88. Starting from this base and that it is a chip presented for almost two years, we have the intuition that the power is not at the maximum of this device. But that 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 draw enough from it to obtain conclusive evidence, we must say that seems more than enough for “normal” use. In other words, leaving aside very demanding processes such as photo or video ed iting or games with high graphics, it aims to be a mobile with good performance in such daily tasks as consulting social networks. , browsing the Internet or using messaging applications.

We did not perceive any delay and it feels fluid. Good default for this is that we end up with 8 GB of RAM and a system as light as Realme UI 4.0, which we will talk about later.

The great advantage of this device is that comes with 256 GB of storage, more than enough capacity for a large portion of your target audience. Although everything depends on the weight of the data stored there, Realme speaks on 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 the charger). It’s not worth the 240W of the Realme GT 3, but it’s remarkable power in this range where 18W loads tend to prevail at best. 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 be updated to Realme UI 4.0, its latest iteration based on Google’s operating systemAndroid 13.

The Realme C55 wasn’t on this list because it didn’t exist yet, but it comes with Realme UI 4.0. It’s still a very light layer and almost no blotware. Something that is appreciated in any type of device and especially in cheap range terminals like this in which carrying pre-installed applications is usually a way to reduce their cost.

And things are promising if we take into account that Realme already 3 year warranty for updates. At least that’s 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 seemed insufficient to be able to grip the camera well. However, during freehand and automatic tests, we were able to verify that It’s a mobile with potential herealways having the context of its 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 this terminal they were perceived as very fair cameras for him, it seems that he fits the C35 like a glove.

Regarding its predecessors, Realme specifies that this main sensor increases in virtually 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 have to recognize that we leave with a very good taste in our mouths. Obviously it is not a mobile ready to fight with the most premium range and not even with the mid-range. However, it is very clear where he is aiming.

In a market where the entry range still has a lot of appeal, Realme wants to liven up the roost with a mobile that, according to its studies, stands out in what your target is asking for. That is, in storage, camera and fast charging. On none of these points is it the best on the market, but it is probably one of the best in its niche.

Thus, and at the cost of testing it thoroughly to draw full conclusions and recommend its purchase or not, it seems that a great incentive for the economy range. We will be very happy if in the end it fulfills the premises, because that is exactly what the input range needs.

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Realme C55, first impressions: much more than the first Android with “dynamic island”

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by Álvaro García M. .