Alright, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Realme C35 and the Apple iPhone 14 Plus. We're not just looking at numbers here, we're dissecting what these specs mean for your everyday life. Buckle up, it's going to be a detailed ride!
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Realme C35 | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.8 mm | The C35 is taller and thicker; the 14 Plus is wider. 14 Plus may feel more substantial in hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 203g | C35 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for long usage. The 14 Plus feels denser. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The 14 Plus offers slightly more screen real estate; noticeable for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1284x2778 | 14 Plus's higher resolution results in a noticeably sharper and clearer image. |
| Pixel Density | 401 ppi | 458 ppi | Higher pixel density on the 14 Plus means finer details and sharper text. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | OLED on the 14 Plus delivers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. LCD is fine but an older tech. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both offer standard 60Hz, which can feel less smooth than higher refresh rates like 90Hz or 120Hz. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The 14 Plus is drastically brighter, making it far more visible in direct sunlight. C35 is not optimal for outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) | A15 Bionic on the 14 Plus provides significantly faster and smoother performance, handling demanding tasks with ease. C35 is a basic chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 1,330,312 | The 14 Plus is over 5 times faster, noticeable in app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Apple GPU (5-core) | The 14 Plus's GPU is significantly more powerful, giving higher graphics fidelity in games and other GPU intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4325mAh | The C35 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life, but needs real world testing. The 14 Plus needs less energy to do more. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | No fast charging provided | C35 has 18W fast charging, so you can top up quicker, 14 Plus needs a separate charger. |
| Features | Li-Polymer | MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | 14 Plus has wireless charging and is a more common battery tech. C35 is an old tech. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Cam Resolution | 50MP, f/1.8 | 12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66", 1.90µm | C35 has higher resolution sensor. However, 14 Plus's larger sensor and wider aperture should capture better low light performance. |
| Selfie Cam Resolution | 8MP, f/2.0 | 12MP, f/1.9, | 14 Plus has slightly higher resolution and wider aperture, could result in better selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | 14 Plus has a dedicated wide-angle camera for more versatility. C35 needs to use digital zoom from the main sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | C35 has a dedicated macro camera, which is sometimes useful for very close up photos. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | No | C35 has a dedicated B&W camera, could add to versatility if needed. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR | 14 Plus records much higher quality video with a lot of dynamic range, making it better for serious video work. The C35 video quality is basic. |
| DxoMark | N/A | Mobile: 133, Selfie: 144 | The 14 Plus scored 133 on the main camera and 144 on the selfie camera in independent lab tests. No data for C35. |
| Features | Basic | OIS, Audio Zoom, 4K Video, RAW | The 14 Plus offers a lot more camera features, including OIS and RAW capture. C35 has basic ones. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | iOS 16 | Different operating systems with their own ecosystem and quirks. iOS usually has better and quicker updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | The 14 Plus has faster and more stable Wi-Fi, offering more performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | The 14 Plus has the newer and slightly more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The 14 Plus supports more satellite systems for more accurate navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | The 14 Plus has eSIM support, so you can add a second number digitally. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB or 256GB or 512GB | The 14 Plus has more internal storage options, which is very important as both don't have MicroSD cards. |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB | The 14 Plus has more RAM, which can make multitasking and switching between apps smoother. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers a microSD slot, so you're limited to the onboard storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The 14 Plus offers a lot better audio quality, with stereo speakers and virtual surround sound. C35 is basic. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic security features | The C35 has fingerprint security for unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection is not declared in both. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | The 14 Plus has an additional barometer sensor for altitude measurements. C35 has a compass. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35:
- Strengths: The C35 shines in battery life and having a headphone jack. It also has a side fingerprint sensor which could be easier to use for some people. Also it is very affordable.
- Competitive Advantages: Great battery for the price point. It has a dedicated Macro and B&W lenses for added photography versatility.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: The C35 has a lower quality display, an entry level performance, and basic camera features, making it a much more budget focused option.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus:
- Strengths: The iPhone 14 Plus excels in display quality, processing power, camera capabilities, and overall build quality. Its ecosystem integration, with features like MagSafe and wireless charging, is also a plus. It has a better selfie camera.
- Competitive Advantages: High-performance chip for smooth multitasking, gaming, and long-term use. The OLED screen has higher brightness, dynamic range, color accuracy, and viewing angles. It also has wide video recording capabilities.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: It is more expensive than the C35 and does not offer fast charging without a separate charger. Its battery capacity is also lower, and it has no headphone jack.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a basic smartphone experience. Great for first-time smartphone users or those who need a secondary device.
- Use Cases: Day-to-day communication, basic social media, web browsing, media consumption, and long battery use.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus:
- Ideal User: Users who value performance, high-quality visuals, photography/videography, and seamless ecosystem integration. It is also for users who like to keep their smartphones for long term use, and would like software support for years to come.
- Use Cases: Gaming, professional photography/videography, content creation, intensive apps, and anyone that wants the most quality in a smartphone.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions that can help you decide:
- What is your primary use case? If you need a reliable phone for basic tasks with great battery life, the C35 is enough. If you want power, a great screen, and an awesome camera, you need the 14 Plus.
- What's your budget? If you're on a tight budget, C35 makes sense. However, the 14 Plus is a significant investment but may be worth it if you want the best.
- What's more important to you? Do you value performance and photography over battery, or the reverse? If you can live with slow performance and average pictures and need good battery life, then the C35 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-conscious: The Realme C35 is an easy choice.
- Photography/videography: The Apple iPhone 14 Plus is the way to go.
- Gaming: The Apple iPhone 14 Plus performs much better.
- Casual Users: If you don't need power, battery is king for you, and you don't mind having a cheaper build and average screen, then the C35.
- Ecosystem: If you are in the Apple ecosystem, then the 14 Plus is a great choice.
- Long term device: The 14 Plus is the phone that will be supported for many years, and therefore is a better choice if you plan to keep a smartphone for a long time.
What Would I Choose?
For me, as someone who values performance, quality, and technology advancements, I'd choose the Apple iPhone 14 Plus. While it is more expensive, the massive jump in performance, screen quality, camera capabilities, and the polished iOS experience make it the winner by a long margin. I'm also someone who uses their phones for a long time, and an iPhone will be supported for many more years than the C35. The 14 Plus provides a smoother, more versatile experience, and for me, it is worth the investment.
