Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Realme C35 and the Honor 70. These two phones, while both aiming for the mid-range market, offer very different experiences under the hood. I'll break down the specs, highlight key differences, and give you my take on who each phone is best suited for.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the specs, what they mean for real-world use, and where each phone shines:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Honor 70 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-02-14 | 2022-06-02 | The Honor 70 is a bit newer, which might mean slightly longer software support down the line. |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm | The Realme C35 is a bit larger and slightly thicker. The Honor 70 is more compact, which might be more comfortable for single-handed use. |
| Weight | 189g | 178g | The Honor 70 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods of use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Unknown Screen Protection | Both offer similar protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Both have large, immersive screens. The difference of 0.07" is negligible in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both provide a sharp, detailed image. Any differences are negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 401 PPI | 395 PPI | Both have very similar pixel density and will look equally sharp in daily use. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | The Honor 70's OLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Realme C35's IPS LCD, resulting in a more visually appealing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Honor 70's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations much smoother. This significantly enhances the overall user experience, especially in gaming and browsing. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones share identical peak brightness at 0 nits. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | The Honor 70’s Snapdragon chipset is significantly faster and more efficient than the Realme C35's Unisoc chip. Expect smoother performance, better multitasking, and superior gaming capability on the Honor 70. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 600,525 | The Honor 70 scores 160% higher, translating to a much snappier user experience, smoother app launches, and overall enhanced performance, particularly in gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 642L | The Honor 70's Adreno GPU provides much better graphics performance for gaming and other graphic-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800, 1.00 µm pixel size | While Realme C35 has a slightly wider aperture, the Honor 70 has a larger sensor, and larger pixel size, which is a very strong sensor, which will allow for better low-light performance and image quality. The 4MP resolution difference is not huge and both will take good photos in daylight. |
| Front Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, Sony Exmor | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C, 0.70 µm pixel size | The Honor 70 has significantly higher resolution and detail with the selfie camera. It has a larger sensor for better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 50MP, f/2.2 | The Honor 70 has a wide-angle lens, giving you more versatility in your photography. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones offer the same macro capability, not known for being exceptional. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | N/A | Realme C35 has a black and white camera for additional depth data and monochrome photos. Not a very useful camera. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | The Honor 70 has much higher video quality, including 4K recording, plus better video stabilization with EIS. |
| DXOMark Scores | N/A | Mobile: 115, Photo: 115, Video: 129 | The Honor 70 has a much better camera according to DXOMark, which is a well known independent testing lab. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, CDAF | 4K Video, Ultra Stable Video, RAW, Night Mode | The Honor 70 is much more feature rich. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | The Realme C35 has a slightly larger battery, but the difference is minor, and the more efficient chip of the Honor 70 might extend its battery life for similar use cases. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | The Honor 70 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Honor 70 features reverse charging which allows you to charge other devices with your phone. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | The Honor 70 has a more up-to-date version of Android and is expected to be supported with newer versions down the road. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | The Honor 70 supports faster, more efficient Wi-Fi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | The Honor 70 has a newer, more efficient version of Bluetooth with more audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Honor 70 supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones offer dual SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | The Honor 70 has higher storage options. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6/8/12 GB | The Honor 70 has more RAM options, allowing for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, so choose wisely when purchasing. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Honor 70 offers superior audio quality with stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio support. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Realme C35 features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which is more advanced, but both offer solid security features. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Honor 70 adds a fingerprint sensor, for more advanced security features. |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
Realme C35:
- Strengths: The Realme C35 is a budget-friendly option. It has a larger battery which might provide slightly longer life, and an arguably better fingerprint sensor placement.
- Competitive Advantages: It's an affordable device that focuses on core functionality. It's targeted towards users who prioritize battery life over performance or advanced features.
- Trade-offs: The display is an IPS LCD panel, which doesn't offer the same visual quality as an OLED. It also has a less powerful processor, which impacts performance and multitasking. The cameras, while adequate for basic use, aren't as versatile or high-quality as the Honor 70's.
Honor 70:
- Strengths: The Honor 70 stands out with its superior OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, significantly faster performance thanks to the Snapdragon chip, and a more versatile camera system with better low-light capabilities and 4k video recording. It also has faster charging capabilities and Hi-Res audio.
- Competitive Advantages: This phone is all about the premium mid-range experience, with features that often come with higher-end phones.
- Trade-offs: The Honor 70 is a pricier option. Its battery capacity is slightly smaller, but the more efficient processor may provide similar battery life. The camera aperture might be slightly smaller, however the other hardware and software advantages outweigh the small difference.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35:
- Best Suited For: Budget-conscious users, those who want a basic smartphone for everyday tasks, or users who prioritize battery life.
- Use Cases: Basic browsing, social media, casual photography, and day-to-day communication.
- Price-to-Value: It offers good value for its low price point.
Honor 70:
- Best Suited For: Users who want a more premium experience without the top-end price tag. People who prioritize display quality, smoother performance, and superior camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: Gaming, photography, videography, multimedia consumption, and those wanting a powerful device for daily use.
- Price-to-Value: It represents a good value for money if you are looking for premium features on a mid range device.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What's my budget? If your budget is extremely tight, the Realme C35 is the more affordable option, but you'll sacrifice performance and display quality.
- How important is performance? If you plan on gaming, running demanding apps, or want a snappy user experience, the Honor 70's Snapdragon chipset is a must.
- Do I care about screen quality and camera? If you love a good-looking display and want better photos and videos, especially in low light, the Honor 70's OLED screen and versatile camera system is the clear choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Budget Explorer: You need a reliable phone for basic tasks. The Realme C35 gets the job done, and the slightly larger battery might extend the time between charges.
- The Power User: You want a phone that can handle gaming, multitasking, and multimedia. The Honor 70's superior performance, display and camera system will deliver a much smoother experience.
- The Photographer: You want to take great photos in all lighting conditions. The Honor 70's camera and video features are a clear win, with great low light performance, a larger sensor and 4k video capabilities.
My Choice
If I had to pick, I would choose the Honor 70 without a doubt. As someone who values a great display, performance, and camera quality, it ticks all the right boxes. The 120Hz OLED display makes everything feel smoother and more immersive, and the Snapdragon processor is significantly more powerful than the Realme's Unisoc chipset. The vastly improved camera quality and 4k video recording is a huge plus. While it is a more expensive option, I think the jump in quality justifies the price. I believe that the Honor 70 provides a far better overall experience, making it the right pick for me.
