Does Realme bring Dynamic Island to Android? Yes, but there is much more to the new realme C55, let’s find out together in the full review!
Complete review of the latest mid-range smartphone Realme C55, a device that is difficult to appreciate on paper, but which ultimately gives a more than satisfactory experience for the reference range. Also, this is the first iteration on base Android of Dynamic Island, referred to herein Mini-Capsule, able to show the status of charging and the distance traveled, too little at the moment. While waiting for further updates, let’s find out what this Realme C55 is capable of!
Technical sheet | Realme C55 review
- Display: 6.72″ IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (max), 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio 392 ppi
- SoC: Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm), Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Mali-G52 MC2
- RAM: 6/8 GB (virtually expandable by another 6 or 8 GB)
- Internal memory: 64GB – 128GB – 256GB
- Rear cameras: 64 MP, (wide), 1/2″, PDAF 2 MP, (depth)
- Front camera: 8 MP
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NFC, Radio, USB Type-C 2.0
- Drums: 5,000 mAh with support for 33W wired fast charging
- Dimensions: 165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm
- Weight: 189.5 g
- Other: biometric reader (right side), accelerometer, proximity, compass
- Operating system: Android 13 with Realme UI 4.0 and ColorOS 13
Packaging, build quality and materials | Realme C55 review
Let’s start from the package, unusually rich and equipped, in fact we will find inside the33W power supply with relative USB-C cable, one transparent cover silicone and, of course, the smartphone. The latter equipped with simple and minimal lines able to satisfy even the most demanding user (I have often been asked, by non-experts, which smartphone it was). However, due to the price range, the compromises on the aesthetic and construction side all fall on the materials, simple polycarbonate, both on the back and on the body, which makes the smartphone cheaper, but at the same time less prone to scratches and bumps. There is no certification against water and dust.
In any case, on the sides we will find the volume rocker, the power button with attached biometric reader, input USB Type-CSIM trolley, mono audio capsule and listen, listen jack audio da 3,5 mmalways welcome. On the back instead two huge photographic modules (attention: it is only about aesthetics) slightly protruding from the body and the LED flash. Finally, frontally a 6.72 ″ panel with a punch-hole style camera, small and unobtrusive.
Hardware, connectivity and displays | Realme C55 review
On the hardware front this Realme C55 is driven by a, not too recent, Mediatek Helio G88 (4G only) combined with 6 or 8 GB of RAM (virtually expandable by another 6 or 8 GB) and 64/128 or 256 GB of storage memory. The latter, from our tests, appeared to be one eMMC, certainly not the latest discovery of science. But how does all this translate into daily use? Extraordinarily wellthe smartphone, thanks also to the display (unfortunately only IPS) a 90Hz offers a more than satisfactory user experience. Personally, despite coming from a top of the range, I haven’t felt the slightest gap in performance, a symptom of painstaking hardware-software optimization. Of course, also given the price range, we are not dealing with a totally lag-free smartphone, however the latter will never affect the user experience, given their rarity.
Instead, what left us most dumbfounded was the connectivity, not so much in the potential on paper given the presence of Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO and NFC as in the speed of execution. Most often the device struggles to connect automatically to the closest access point, the same goes for the accuracy of the GPS signal, which is not entirely satisfactory. As mentioned, the panel is an IPS from 6,72″ a 90Hz with peak brightness of 680 nits, which in spite of the specifications behaved just fine, with a good color calibration and a brightness sufficient for outdoor viewing. Finally, the audio speaker, microphones and vibration stand on the same quality, all in line with the price range.
Cameras | Realme C55 review
Contrary to what usually happens in this price range in many of the competing devices, Realme has equipped this Realme C55 with only two sensors, however it seemed to us to be a wasted opportunity given the presence of a main lens from 64MP and a (useless) 2 MP deep one, an ultra-wide one would certainly have been more appreciated. Some limitations are also present in the videos, available until 1080p a 60 FPS. Among the various features we find slow-motion, panorama, time-lapse, pro, 64 MP, portrait, night and street (for the so-called street photography).
In any case, how does this Realme C55 shoot? At the risk of sounding repetitive, surprisingly well! The 64 MP main camera offers sharp shots with ‘social’ colors (here it is subjective taste). The focus and contrast are also excellent (even more accentuated in HDR mode). Similar speech for the front camera, more than decent for the price range. The only drawback, the videos, poorly stabilized and with just enough quality.
Software and autonomy | Realme C55 review
Here we are among the aspects that most convinced us, the software: based on Android 13 with Realme UI 4.0 customization based on ColorOS 13 (an Inception of user interfaces); and autonomy: able to give us 2 days of intense use thanks to the large module from 5000 mAh with 33W fast wired charging. The first equipped with innumerable functions and with a modern and minimal aesthetic appearance with the small and, at the moment almost insignificant, addition of the Mini-Capsule (you’ll forget about it in a couple of days). Little note for the bloatwarereally too many when first turned on and ranging between apps of dubious utility and oriental-style games.
Conclusions and price
Realme C55 is more convenient as a menu than on paper, in fact, taken individually the specifications are not much at all, but thanks to the hardware and software optimization they offer a respectable user experience. Indeed you will satisfactory performance, up to date photos, complete software and more than abundant autonomy. List price starts from 219,99€ on the official website for the 6/128GB version, however it won’t be difficult to find it already on offer for less than €200. Therefore considering the complete package, we can only recommend the purchase of this smartphone if what you are looking for is an excellent quality-price ratio or a second device to be used as a ‘forklift’. Before saying goodbye, we invite you to follow the mobile section of techgameworld.com for further news and video reviews. See you soon!
Plus points
- Rich packaging
- Performance
- Autonomy
- Camera
- Prezzo
Points against
- Up-and-down connectivity
- Slow memories
- Bloatware