Alright, let's dive deep into a comparison between the Realme C35 and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. We've got a classic David versus Goliath scenario here, pitting a budget-friendly workhorse against a no-holds-barred gaming beast. I'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and help you figure out which phone fits your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the key specifications of both phones, along with their real-world implications:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-02-14 | 2024-01-18 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly newer, meaning newer technology and software. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable design. |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is slightly wider and thicker, resulting in a bigger overall volume, but a similar height. |
| Weight | 189g | 225g | The Realme C35 is significantly lighter and more comfortable for extended use. The ROG Phone 8 Pro is noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.78" | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly larger display, which provides a more immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both offer a sharp display for everyday use. |
| Pixel Density | 401 PPI | 388 PPI | Both phones have very similar pixel density and the slight difference won't be noticeable in everyday use. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a superior AMOLED display with deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colours, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides dramatically smoother animations and a more fluid experience when browsing, gaming, and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly brighter, making it much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a much more powerful and efficient chipset that will offer drastically better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 2,020,000 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro scores almost 9 times higher, demonstrating vastly superior overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 (Mali-G57 MP1) | Adreno 750 (Adreno 750) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks much more efficiently. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5500 mAh | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer endurance. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The ROG Phone 8 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | While both have 50MP main cameras, the ROG Phone 8 Pro has a larger sensor (Sony IMX890), resulting in better light capture and image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, Sony Exmor | 32MP, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a much higher resolution front camera, leading to clearer, more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Realme C35 has a basic macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3", Omnivision OV31B | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a ultrawide lens with macro capabilities, improving versatility. |
| Black & white lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | Realme C35 offers a separate black and white lens for stylized images. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps | The ROG Phone 8 Pro can capture much higher resolution video with various slow-motion capabilities and includes electronic and optical image stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14, upgradable to 16 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro runs on a newer version of Android which is upgradable to 16, offering the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | The ROG Phone 8 Pro supports newer Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 standards for faster and more reliable connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | The ROG Phone 8 Pro supports a newer Bluetooth standard with additional codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro supports more satellite systems for improved accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 512GB or 1024GB | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly more internal storage. |
| RAM | 4GB | 16GB or 24GB | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly more RAM for seamless multitasking and heavy gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides high-quality audio with enhanced surround sound and superior voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | Realme has side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while ROG Phone 8 Pro has basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides much better screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus 2. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a more comprehensive sensor set, particularly advantageous for gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35:
- Strengths: This phone is all about affordability and practicality. It offers a decent screen, good battery life, and a fairly capable 50MP main camera for everyday snaps. It’s lightweight and easy to handle.
- Competitive Advantages: Its main advantage is its budget-friendly price. It's a solid option for users who need a reliable phone for basic tasks and aren't concerned with high-end performance or advanced features.
- Limitations: The Realme C35 struggles in terms of processing power, low-light camera performance, and advanced features. Its IPS LCD is not as vibrant as AMOLED and lacks a higher refresh rate.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Strengths: This phone is a performance powerhouse built for gaming and demanding tasks. The AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate is incredibly smooth, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is top-of-the-line. The camera system is also a significant step up from the Realme C35, offering better video capabilities, telephoto and ultrawide lenses, and superior image quality.
- Competitive Advantages: The ROG Phone 8 Pro has the best specs in almost all categories: display, processing power, audio quality, and camera capabilities. The 65W fast charging is also a major convenience.
- Limitations: Its biggest limitation is its higher price. It is also heavier than the Realme C35, which might not be ideal for everyone.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35 is Ideal For:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those who need a basic smartphone that covers the essentials without breaking the bank.
- Casual users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for browsing, social media, calls, and light app usage.
- First-time smartphone users: Anyone looking for a straightforward, easy-to-use device.
- Users who prefer a lightweight phone: Those who want something that is easy to carry around for a long period of time.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is Ideal For:
- Serious gamers: Those who want the best possible gaming experience with no compromises.
- Power users: Individuals who need a phone for intensive multitasking, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Content creators: Users who require high-quality video recording, professional photo capabilities, and high-end specs.
- Tech enthusiasts: Anyone who wants the absolute best mobile technology on the market, regardless of price.
- Users who prefer a premium display: Those who love to consume video content and want the best image quality.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
What's Your Primary Use Case?
- Basic Tasks (Web, Social Media, Calls): Realme C35 is sufficient and cost-effective.
- Gaming/Heavy Multitasking: ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear winner with its performance focused hardware and software.
- Professional Media Creation: ROG Phone 8 Pro's advanced video and camera features are better suited.
What’s Your Budget?
- Tight Budget: Realme C35 is a budget phone that fulfills basic requirements.
- Premium Budget: ROG Phone 8 Pro offers top-tier specs with no compromise.
How important is Display, Camera and Performance?
- Good Display and Camera: While both offer decent display and camera setup, the ROG Phone 8 Pro excels with its superior AMOLED display with high refresh rate, multi-lens setup and video capabilities.
- Gaming & Performance: If gaming performance and overall responsiveness are paramount the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the only choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Student on a Budget – Opt for the Realme C35. It handles everyday tasks well and allows you to save money.
- Scenario 2: Dedicated Mobile Gamer – The ROG Phone 8 Pro is the go-to choice for an unparalleled gaming experience.
- Scenario 3: Content Creator on the Go – The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers top video and camera capabilities and will give you the best experience.
- Scenario 4: Casual User who values screen clarity The ROG Phone 8 Pro would be a good choice because of its excellent screen with high peak brightness.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. While the Realme C35 is a perfectly fine device for basic needs, I prioritize performance and advanced features in my everyday smartphone. The ROG Phone 8 Pro’s AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate is a delight for consuming media and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 means it will handle any app or game I throw at it with ease. Furthermore the camera system, with it's 8K recording capabilities, optical zoom, OIS and ultrawide capabilities is a significant upgrade for media creation, which I frequently engage in. Yes, it's considerably more expensive and heavier, but the sheer power and quality it brings are well worth the investment for someone who needs top-tier capabilities. The faster charging and the superior audio, are also very appealing. I believe it offers a better experience overall.
