Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the OnePlus 10 Pro and the Realme C35. On paper, these two phones occupy different tiers of the smartphone market, but it’s crucial to understand what those differences mean in real-world use. I'll break down the specifications, highlighting key distinctions and what they mean for you, the end-user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these phones stack up, categorized for easy understanding:
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | Realme C35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Physical Size | 163 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | The C35 is slightly taller and wider, while the 10 Pro is a bit thicker, but these differences are barely noticeable. |
| Weight | 201g | 189g | The Realme C35 is 12g lighter, which may feel better for extended one-handed use. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | Realme C35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | The 10 Pro has a marginally larger screen, which is nice for media consumption but not a big difference. |
| Resolution | 1440x3216 | 1080x2408 | The 10 Pro's higher resolution provides a much sharper, crisper picture. It will be noticeable for detail-rich content and gaming. |
| PPI | 525 | 401 | The higher pixel density on the 10 Pro results in a clearer and more refined display experience. |
| Technology | | IPS LCD | IPS LCD is a common technology and nothing exceptional. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | 10 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel much smoother and more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The 10 Pro's display is significantly brighter, offering superior outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | Realme C35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | The 10 Pro's flagship chip is significantly more powerful, offering faster processing, better gaming and smoother multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 900,491 | 230,726 | The 10 Pro has a drastically higher benchmark score, indicating much better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The 10 Pro's GPU handles graphically intensive tasks and games much better. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | Realme C35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX789, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50 MP gives slightly higher resolution in still photos, but other specs like sensor quality are important for final photo quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.0, Sony IMX615, 0.80µm | 8MP, f/2.0 | The 10 Pro takes much higher-resolution selfies with a significantly better sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, Omnivision OV08A10, 1.00µm | None | The 10 Pro's dedicated telephoto lens enables optical zoom, offering better quality for zoomed-in shots. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64µm | None | The 10 Pro has an ultrawide lens, giving more versatility to capture more in a shot. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Realme C35 does feature a macro lens, while the OnePlus 10 Pro does not. |
| Black & White Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.8 | The Realme C35 does feature a Black and White lens, while the OnePlus 10 Pro does not. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, 4K@120fps with HDR, EIS, Slow-motion 480fps | 1080p@30fps | The 10 Pro offers much higher quality video, stabilization and slow-motion options. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 122 (Photo: 124, Video: 119) | None | The 10 Pro is confirmed to have a good camera experience by an independent tester. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, Night Mode, RAW 12-bit | Digital Zoom, HDR | The 10 Pro provides a host of advanced features for versatile and creative photography and videography. |
Battery Life
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | Realme C35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity, which should provide decent all-day battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 80W fast charging | 18W fast charging | The 10 Pro charges significantly faster, cutting down charging time considerably. |
| Battery Features | 50W wireless charging, Reverse charging | Non-removable | The 10 Pro offers more versatile charging options. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | Realme C35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Android 11 | The 10 Pro has a more up-to-date OS and will receive future updates, giving a smoother user experience. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7, 802.11ax, dual-band, MIMO | 802.11ac, Wi-Fi Hotspot | The 10 Pro offers faster, more stable and more advanced wi-fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE, A2DP, aptX, LDAC | Bluetooth 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR | The 10 Pro offers a newer version of Bluetooth and better codecs for higher quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | The 10 Pro provides better location accuracy with more satellite systems. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | Realme C35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 64/128GB | The 10 Pro offers significantly more storage options. |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 4GB | The 10 Pro will provide better multitasking with more RAM available. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Basic Audio | The 10 Pro gives a better overall audio experience with noise cancellation, stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. |
Security & Build
| Feature | OnePlus 10 Pro | Realme C35 | Real-World Implications |
|---|
| Security | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | The Realme C35 has a better design for the fingerprint reader. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The 10 Pro offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, RGB | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The 10 Pro offers additional sensors. |
2. Key Insights
OnePlus 10 Pro Strengths
- Display: Superior high-resolution, bright, and smooth 120Hz display, significantly better for media and gaming.
- Performance: Flagship-level performance for smooth multitasking, gaming and demanding applications.
- Camera: Versatile camera setup with higher-resolution front camera, optical zoom, 8K video recording, and more camera features.
- Charging: Extremely fast charging (80W wired, 50W wireless) capabilities.
- Software: Up-to-date Android OS with longer software support.
- Connectivity: Advanced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more stable wireless connectivity.
- Audio: Enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and noise cancellation capabilities.
- Build Quality: Premium build with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection.
- Sensors: More sensors for added functionality.
Realme C35 Strengths
- Weight: Lighter design, which may feel more comfortable in the hand.
- Macro lens It includes a macro lens for macro photography
- Black & white lens: It includes a black and white sensor.
- Security: Features a side mounted fingerprint sensor for unlocking.
- Price: More budget-friendly device
Trade-offs
- The OnePlus 10 Pro is pricier, making it inaccessible to budget-conscious users.
- The Realme C35 has a basic display, a slow processor, a less capable camera, slower charging and a dated OS. It lacks many of the advanced features found in higher-end phones.
- The Realme C35 has a macro lens and a black and white sensor that the OnePlus 10 Pro does not have
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
OnePlus 10 Pro: This phone is ideal for users who want top-tier performance, excellent display quality, a versatile camera setup, and fast charging. It's perfect for gamers, content creators, and those who want the best possible smartphone experience, regardless of budget.
- Specific Use Cases: High-fidelity gaming, 4K/8K video recording, heavy multitasking, watching high-resolution videos in bright environments.
Realme C35: This is a budget-friendly device for users who need a basic smartphone for daily tasks like calling, browsing the web, and basic photography. It suits those who prioritize affordability over cutting-edge features.
- Specific Use Cases: Simple social media browsing, occasional photography, basic navigation, and as an affordable secondary phone.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, ask yourself these questions:
- How important is performance to me? If you need a phone for gaming, heavy multitasking, or high performance, the OnePlus 10 Pro is the obvious choice. For simple day to day usage the Realme C35 may be enough.
- What are my priorities regarding camera quality? If you prioritize image versatility, optical zoom and video quality, the OnePlus 10 Pro will be worth the premium. If you are a casual photographer the Realme C35 could work.
- What is my budget? If you are on a tight budget, the Realme C35 will be more affordable. If budget is not a primary concern the OnePlus 10 Pro is worth the price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- For the Power User/Gamer: The OnePlus 10 Pro is the clear choice. Its performance, display, and fast charging capabilities will provide the ultimate experience.
- For the Budget-Conscious User: The Realme C35 offers basic smartphone functionality at a much lower cost, focusing on affordability and simplicity.
- For the Casual Photographer: The OnePlus 10 Pro provides more camera features, but if the budget is limited, the Realme C35 can still get some decent shots.
- For the Frequent Traveler: The OnePlus 10 Pro is better because it has a brighter display, faster charging, and more accurate GPS.
My Choice:
If I were choosing, I would go for the OnePlus 10 Pro. The higher resolution and refresh rate screen alone would be enough to make it worthwhile, but that combined with the superior processing power, higher quality cameras with more features, much faster charging capabilities, and up to date software make it an easy choice. I value performance and the additional features offered by the OnePlus 10 Pro, especially as a heavy phone user who also enjoys media consumption and photography.
The Realme C35 is a good option for basic day to day use, but for a tech journalist like myself, I would rather have the better overall experience that the OnePlus 10 Pro can provide.
