Alright, let's break down the Realme C35 and Honor Magic4 Pro. It's a classic David versus Goliath match-up, but as always, the best phone depends entirely on what you need. Here's a deep dive into their specs and how they translate to the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, highlighting the key differences and their implications for daily usage:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 163.6 x 74.7 x 9.1 mm | The Honor is slightly shorter and narrower but thicker. Realme C35 may feel slightly lighter in hand (20g difference) |
| Weight | 189g | 209g | Realme C35 is noticeably lighter, which can be more comfortable for prolonged use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.81" | The Honor offers a slightly larger viewing area, beneficial for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1312x2848 | The Honor has a much sharper display with 43.7% more pixels, making text and images clearer and more detailed. |
| Pixel Density | 401 PPI | 460 PPI | Honor’s higher pixel density results in a noticeably crisper image, especially noticeable on text and fine details. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | The Honor’s OLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors than the Realme’s LCD screen. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Honor’s 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel much smoother and more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Honor offers drastically better outdoor visibility with 1000 nits higher brightness making it significantly better for bright sunlight use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor's Snapdragon is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 945,832 | The Honor’s benchmark score is over 300% higher, indicating vastly superior performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 730 | Honor has a much more powerful GPU, enabling better gaming performance and smoother graphics. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | The Realme has a slightly larger battery, which might lead to marginally better battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Honor's super-fast charging can drastically reduce charging times, getting you back up and running very quickly. |
| Charging Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 100W | Honor provides additional charging convenience through reverse and wireless charging options. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | Both have a 50MP main camera; Honor’s larger sensor and wider pixel size should capture more light, producing better quality images |
| Telephoto/Portrait | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/2" Omnivision OV64B, 0.70µm | Honor has dedicated telephoto lens for zoom and portrait shots, Realme C35 has no dedicated telephoto. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 12MP, f/2.4 | Honor’s front camera has a higher resolution but slightly narrower aperture. |
| ToF 3D sensor | None | 0.3MP | Honor has a ToF 3D sensor for better depth perception, potentially improving portrait mode and other effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Realme has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, Honor has no dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle/Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2 | Honor has a wide-angle lens to capture more in the frame, not on Realme |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | The Realme has a dedicated black & white camera, Honor doesn't have. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps, EIS, HDR | Honor can record much higher resolution videos with stabilization, while the Realme's video is much more basic. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | Mobile (126), Photo (132), Video (117) | Honor has good quality mobile camera; Realme C35 has no score |
| Camera Features | Limited Features | 4K, OIS, RAW, Night Mode, more advanced | Honor offers many more features including OIS, which provides greater stabilization while shooting pictures and videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Honor is on a newer OS, with the potential for more features and future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Honor supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for better speeds and reliability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Honor offers a more advanced Bluetooth with better audio codecs for higher-fidelity wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, L1+L5, GLONASS, NavIC | Honor supports more satellite systems, which should result in more precise and reliable positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | The Honor offers significantly more internal storage for apps, photos, and media, and can be crucial for media enthusiasts. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | The Honor has substantially more RAM, making it far better at multitasking and running demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage; consider this if you have a large media library |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Stereo Speakers, DTS / DTS X | The Honor has much better audio output with stereo speakers, and DTS, making it a better device for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic fingerprint sensor | Realme's fingerprint sensor is side-mounted. Honor is a basic one, so the placement of the sensor is unknown. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | The Honor offers additional sensor for more advanced features and better compatibility with different applications and games. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35
- Strengths:
- Lightweight Design: Significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Slightly Larger Battery: May offer marginally longer battery life.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up detail.
- Budget-Friendly: Generally more affordable for the basic user.
- Competitive Advantages:
- Ideal for basic users focused on lightweight design and extended battery life.
- Features that will help with close up photos.
- Limitations:
- Basic Display: Lower resolution, LCD panel with less impressive brightness, and lacks a high refresh rate.
- Weak Performance: Significantly lower processing power for heavy tasks and gaming.
- Basic Cameras: Camera quality is basic compared to the Honor.
- Limited Software: Older Android version and limited upgrade path.
Honor Magic4 Pro
- Strengths:
- Superior Display: High resolution, OLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, and very high brightness.
- Powerful Performance: Top-tier Snapdragon chipset with impressive benchmark scores.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile setup with Telephoto, Wide-Angle, and ToF 3D sensors, better low-light performance.
- Fast Charging: Ultra-fast charging capabilities, including wireless and reverse charging.
- Modern Software: Newer Android OS and more robust software features.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and DTS/DTS X audio enhancements.
- Competitive Advantages:
- Perfect for power users who need high-end performance, a superior display, and excellent camera capabilities.
- Ideal for media consumption, gaming, and professional photography.
- Limitations:
- Bulkier Design: Slightly thicker and heavier compared to the Realme C35.
- Slightly Smaller Battery: Battery is smaller, but fast charging alleviates this issue.
- Higher Price: Significantly more expensive than the Realme C35.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Realme C35:
- User Profile: Budget-conscious users, students, or individuals who primarily use their phone for basic communication, browsing, and social media.
- Use Cases: Casual use, media consumption (videos and social media), photography (general use) and for basic daily tasks.
- Honor Magic4 Pro:
- User Profile: Power users, professionals, gamers, or anyone who needs cutting-edge performance, a top-notch camera, and a premium display.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, professional photography, media consumption (high-definition videos), heavy multitasking, VR and AR experiences.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
- What's your Budget? The Realme C35 is significantly more budget-friendly. If price is a major constraint, this phone is a good starting point.
- What are your key priorities? Is it basic communication and a long-lasting battery (Realme C35) or are you looking for an immersive experience with a great camera (Honor Magic4 Pro)?
- How important is performance for you? If performance is extremely important, the Honor Magic4 Pro is the only phone that should be considered.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User
- User: Someone who needs a basic phone for calls, texts, and light social media use.
- Recommendation: Realme C35 is the perfect choice for you. It’s a simple phone with good battery life, and is light and easy to carry.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast
- User: Someone who takes lots of pictures and videos and needs high-quality output.
- Recommendation: The Honor Magic4 Pro is the best choice with its versatile camera system, high resolution videos, OIS, and better low light.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer
- User: Someone who plays intensive games on their phone and needs smooth, lag-free performance.
- Recommendation: The Honor Magic4 Pro is a must for you, thanks to its powerful chipset, GPU and display, it's perfect for gaming.
- Scenario 4: Power User on the Go
- User: Someone who needs a powerful device for multitasking, content creation and media consumption.
- Recommendation: The Honor Magic4 Pro's processing power, fast charging, and superior display make it the ideal choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I'd pick the Honor Magic4 Pro, without a doubt. As a tech journalist and someone who uses their phone for everything from heavy multitasking and content creation to gaming and photography, the Honor just offers a far more complete and compelling experience. It's not just about having a faster processor or a better camera but about the total package: a gorgeous display, fluid performance, and versatility.
Yes, it comes at a higher price point, but the investment is justified if you're looking for a premium, future-proof device that can handle anything you throw at it. While the Realme C35 is a solid contender for a budget-friendly device, it simply does not have the processing power and display that are essential for my needs. Ultimately, the Honor is a device that matches my high usage needs and my passion for technology.
