If in the Redmi 12C review that we reviewed last week we said that the device is a time machine because many retro features are returned. This article is a review of the Realme C55 which looks modern, but feels like using an old device.
This device is actually interesting to use but will test one's patience during this month of Ramadan. The design looks beautiful, has modern software features, uses USB-C, and is sold at a relatively affordable price. At the same price as the Redmi 12C we feel this is a premium entry-level device that you should try.
SPECIFICATIONS
Realme C55
6.72″ IPS LCD screen,
1080 x 1400 , 90Hz
Mediatek Helio G88 processor (12nm)
2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 chips
6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55
Mali-G52 MC2 Graphics Chip
RAM 6/8 GB LPDDR4X
Virtual Memory 6/8 GB
Internal Storage 128/256 GB UFS
Micro SD 1TB
64MP Main Camera (Wide Angle)
64MP AI Camera (2MP)
8MP AI Selfie Camera
5000 mAh battery
33W wired charging
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM nano / 4G
NFC None
Audio Jack Yes
Waterproof None
Scan System Rear fingerprint scanner
Sale Price RM 699 (6/128 GB)
RM 799 (8/256 GB)
SCREEN
I was pleasantly surprised when the 6.72″ IPS LCD screen of this device was beautiful and bright. Not only that, the supported resolution is FHD+ and also supports a 90Hz refresh rate. This feature makes the Redmi 12C device look like an obsolete device. True the bezel of this device looks thick but still acceptable. There is no notch which looks outdated but there is a hole for the selfie camera which still gives an almost immersive experience.
Although I'm already comfortable with 120Hz screens on many Android and iOS devices I use. Using a 90Hz screen actually still feels good. I see the difference but I set my mind to accept what Realme has to offer at an affordable price compared to other expensive devices.
While using this device I spent a lot of time with YouTube Shorts, some commentary videos on YouTube and also spent time with Netflix. I am proud to say that I am comfortable with the screen of this device.
DESIGN
Realme C55 uses a beautiful design. Look sexy on the back by using the flat concept on every part. There are two round camera bumps surrounded by a two-tone box shape with a striped pattern on the back panel. Look at the back panel of this device, you will not believe that this is a device priced below RM1000.
Due to the limitations of LCD screen technology, the thick chin on this device cannot be made thinner. So I have to accept it. At least not as bad as the formidable Redmi 12C. There is nothing on the top of the device but below there is a 3.5mm audio jack port which I am very grateful the device manufacturer still wants to include in 2023. Other additions below are a microphone hole, a USB-C port and a speaker grille.
On the right side there is a power button and a fingerprint scanner. Usually the fingerprint scanner on the side I say is fast but on this device it was very slow and around 90% of the time during my review I used only the code on the screen to unlock. In addition, there is also a volume adjustment button on this side. The left side only has a SIM card slot that supports dual-SIM 4G as well as a microSD card.
The device is also quite light and despite its large size there is no problem to operate it with only one hand. The Realme C55 is also not slippery in the hand because the pattern on the back panel that I mentioned earlier gives extra grip.
USAGE AND SOFTWARE – REALME UI 4.0
Realme seems to be getting better at software. The device uses the latest Android 13 based Realme UI 4.0. So there is no need to worry about devices using an operating system that is one or two generations behind. It's true that the C series is usually slow to receive updates. Last year's model, the Realme C33, has also not yet received the update and is scheduled to receive it at the end of this year.
The Realme C55 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G88 chip paired with 8GB RAM memory with support for additional virtual memory up to 8GB and has internal storage up to 256GB UFS type. This gives some confidence to run many applications simultaneously.
You can feel the difference in performance with the Redmi 12C which still uses eMMC. So it's a mystery why the 12C is marketed at the same price when there are so many glaring shortcomings. Is it just throwing away stock with old components?
This Realme device has a difference between 4GB and 8GB virtual memory. I can feel the performance improvement on this device. Don't get me wrong this device still has a hard time running basic apps.
Every scroll on the device has a time lag problem. Not so serious but if you are a patient person this issue will not be a problem. I would like to recommend to you that if you buy this device the 90Hz mode must be used otherwise you may lose patience. This month of Ramadan test yourself to control your anger.
Despite that Realme UI 4.0 is still packed with interesting features and functions. In fact, this version of the operating system is almost similar to the Realme UI on the Realme GT3 and OnePlus 11. Only Realme still maintains the iconic feature of their basic and mid-range devices which is full of ads. These ads are more about promoting apps through their own app stores. Perhaps this is Realme's way of distinguishing the premium-class Realme UI from the basic one.
Realme C55 also has a unique feature that is not found in other BBK Electronics devices. This feature is a Mini Capsule which is a feature similar to Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro. This is the first commercially marketed Android device to support this feature. Mini Capsule will appear in the camera hole on the screen in the form of a long capsule displaying information.
Realme has plans to include notification support, media player support and more. But for now it only supports charging display for few seconds and there is no other way to activate it. In this case the Mini Capsule implementation is half-baked.
Here are some interesting features on Realme UI 4.0 in Realme C55;
Optimized Night Charging – Charging power is limited to 80% and will only be full after you wake up.
Real Sound Technology – Realme's own audio tuning technology with up to 200% volume support.
Memory Extension – Adding virtual memory from 4GB to 8GB makes the device have RAM up to 16GB.
Special Features – Additional features and functions similar to Oppo and OnePlus flagship devices such as Flexible Windows, Smart Sidebar, Split Screen and more.
Global Search – Universal search on the application tray or notification tray to find apps, directly search for videos on Netflix and more.
BENCH MARK
The MediaTek Helio G88 chip is a chip launched in 2020 and is a competitor to the Snapdragon 662 chip launched in the same year. Even though there is already 16GB of memory including virtual RAM, this device still does not have smooth performance. Relame UI 4.0 is undeniably well built with good memory management but the aging chip is a constraint for the device to operate at high performance.
I only tested Marvel Snap's 2D preview and Asphalt 9 on default settings. The first two are not playable with a satisfying experience. Even the 2D version has a lot of stuttering on every movement and the 3D graphics don't look good as if there is a pixelated effect.
Geekbench 6
Realme C55 – 420/1377
Redmi 12C – 403/1212
AnTuTu 3D
Realme C55 – 251,263
Redmi 12C – 212,386
3DMark
Realme C55 – 745
Redmi 12C – Unable to test
TELEPHONY And GPS
Like the Redmi 12C, only the 4G LTE network is supported on the Realme C55. No problem to use VoWiFi and VoLTE support which helps when the signal is not strong. Voice calls are not very clear because there is only one microphone. GPS is very slow and annoying when used.
CAMERA
The primary camera of the device is 64MP wide angle with sensor specification details not disclosed. Matched with a 2MP sensor which is also kept secret. But Realme says the device uses a 64MP main camera + 64MP AI camera with an 8MP AI selfie camera. Some pictures look beautiful and bright because of the help of software and artificial intelligence. But direct details are not well preserved.
Colors look quite vibrant for a device in its class. But modes such as portrait continue to have no quality at all. The blurring effect is not able to detect the subject and the most serious is the post-processing that takes ages to complete.
BATTERY
I expect a device like this to have a long battery life especially with a 5000mAh capacity battery. But extreme use can only achieve around 4-5 hours of SOT. Light use can only last around 6 hours SOT. But when the device is rarely used SOT can last for almost three hours for 3 days. Thankfully there is SuperVOOC 33W fast charging support which only takes around an hour to fully charge.
AUDIO
The Realme C55 only has a mono speaker at the bottom. Even though it has been tuned with Real Sound Technology with a voice level reaching 200%, the audio quality of this device is still disappointing. The voice level of 50% to 80% is still slow and when it reaches the maximum level the voice breaks. The audio is also quite loud and the solution is to use only TWS or wired earphones.
IN THE BOX
Here is what is received in the box with purchase.
1x Realme C55
1x 33W Charger
1x USB-A to USB-C charging cable
1x Silicone protective frame
1x Manual.
1x SIM Pin.
CONCLUSION
Based on our experience Realme C55 is a much better alternative than Redmi 12C. Although the performance is not encouraging at least Realme offers many features and functions on the software that are interesting to use. Mini Capsule support makes this device have premium features that other Android devices don't have.
This device is suitable as a backup device or for parents to buy it for young children. The selling price that starts from RM699 for the 6/128 GB variant and reaches RM799 for the 8/256 GB is an affordable price. This is a great device for children to use as an educational tool such as running the Duolingo app, reciting the Quran in TheNoor or reading digital books for revision. Therefore it is a more suitable choice as a first smartphone for the children or nieces of all readers.
Pro
Light and easy to handle for a large size device.
Realme UI is packed with interesting features and functions.
Beautiful design and looks premium.
A bright and satisfying screen to watch videos.
Cons
Not very long lasting battery.
A performance that tests patience.
A disappointing 64MP camera.
Speaker with broken audio.