Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Realme C35 and the Honor Magic5 Lite. Both phones aim for the budget-conscious market, but they take different approaches, and that leads to some clear differences in the experience. Here's a breakdown:
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Realme C35 | Honor Magic5 Lite | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm | Realme C35 is slightly larger and thicker. Magic5 Lite feels more compact. |
| Weight | 189g | 175g | Honor Magic5 Lite is lighter, which will be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are typical, non-folding phones. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Very similar sizes. Negligible real-world difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both offer crisp, Full HD+ displays. |
| PPI | 401 | 395 | Very similar pixel densities - both look sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Big difference! AMOLED offers superior blacks, contrast, vibrant colors and better power efficiency for dark modes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Big difference! Magic5 Lite's 120Hz display offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | We have no info on the brightness of the screen |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Big difference! Snapdragon is a much more capable and efficient chipset, better for gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 431,000 | Magic5 Lite is significantly faster. Apps load quicker, performs better for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 619 | Adreno GPU is generally better for gaming performance and overall graphics processing. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 50MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.8 | Honor Magic5 Lite has a higher resolution main sensor, potentially leading to more detail. |
| Selfie Lens | 8MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Honor Magic5 Lite has higher res selfie, while C35 has a wider aperture. C35 could be better in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.2 | Magic5 Lite offers more versatile photography with a wide-angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Comparable macro capabilities. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | Realme C35 offers B&W lens. It is very limited in the photography use cases. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps; No slow-mo | 1080p@30fps; Yes slow-mo (120fps) | Both offer basic 1080p video. Magic5 Lite is capable of 120 fps slow-motion recording. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Mobile: 74 Photo: 70 Video: 77 | Honor Magic5 Lite has been tested and it has good results, proving its camera quality. |
| Camera Features | CDAF | None | C35 has CDAF |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Both should offer good battery life, comparable endurance. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 40W fast charging | Big difference! Magic5 Lite charges much faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both share those battery features |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Honor Magic5 Lite comes with a newer Android OS and a potential upgrade to 13. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both offer Wi-Fi AC. Magic5 Lite has dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi display |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 | Slightly newer Bluetooth on the Magic5 Lite, with additional functionalities. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Magic5 Lite supports more satellite systems for more accurate tracking |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM use |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128/256GB | Honor Magic5 Lite offers more base storage and a larger capacity option. |
| RAM | 4GB | 6/8GB | Magic5 Lite provides more RAM, which helps with multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic features | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, 2 microphones | Honor offers a superior audio experience |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint | basic fingerprint sensor | Realme C35 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Honor Magic5 Lite has Fingerprint sensor and additional Gravity sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35 Strengths:
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More advanced sensor that is located on the side of the phone.
- Black & White Lens Offers a dedicated Black & White camera that may be useful for very specific user cases.
- CDAF Has contrast detection autofocus that can improve camera performance.
Honor Magic5 Lite Strengths:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate offers a significantly better viewing experience with more vibrant colors, smoother scrolling, and deeper blacks.
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 695 chipset is much more powerful, leading to faster app loading and better gaming.
- Faster Charging: 40W charging gets you back up and running much quicker.
- More Versatile Camera: Includes a wide-angle lens for more photography options.
- More RAM and Storage: It provides more RAM options and storage capabilities.
- Upgraded OS: Ships with Android 12 and it's upgradable to Android 13.
- Better Audio: Offers Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone and two microphones.
- More Advanced GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- Realme C35: Sacrifices display quality, performance, and charging speed for a lower price point. It has a plastic construction.
- Honor Magic5 Lite: Is a bit pricier, but provides an overall superior user experience and more versatility.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35 is best for:
- Users on a very tight budget who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- People who value a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
Honor Magic5 Lite is best for:
- Users who want a great display for media consumption, gaming, and general daily use.
- Those who prioritize performance and faster charging.
- Users that need a versatile camera system.
- Those who want a more premium design.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is display quality to you? If you love vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling, the Honor Magic5 Lite is the clear winner with its AMOLED 120Hz screen.
- Are you a gamer or a heavy multi-tasker? The Snapdragon 695 in the Honor Magic5 Lite will deliver a noticeably better experience in these scenarios.
- How much do you value fast charging? If you want to get back to a full charge quickly, the Magic5 Lite's 40W charging is a significant advantage over the Realme C35's 18W.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If you are on a very strict budget and need a phone for basic tasks, the Realme C35 might suffice, but be aware of the trade-offs.
- Media Enthusiast: The Honor Magic5 Lite is the clear choice with its superior display and audio, making it fantastic for videos, movies, and games.
- Mobile Gamer: The Honor Magic5 Lite's Snapdragon processor will provide a much smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
- Photographer: The Magic5 Lite provides a more versatile camera experience with its additional lens.
- Everyday User: The Magic5 Lite is better in almost every aspect compared to the C35, making it a better overall choice.
My Choice
If I had to pick between these two, I would absolutely go with the Honor Magic5 Lite. The superior AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate alone is a game-changer in terms of day-to-day use. But that's not all – the significantly faster Snapdragon processor will offer a much smoother overall experience when multitasking or doing more intensive tasks. Plus, the 40W fast charging and better camera are great additions that make it a significantly better experience overall. Even though it's a bit more expensive, the enhancements more than justify the increased cost.
