Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Realme C35 and Honor X7. These two budget-friendly contenders offer some interesting trade-offs, and it's crucial to look beyond the spec sheet to see how they'd actually perform in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of their specs, comparing the raw numbers with how they translate into user experience:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Honor X7 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 167.6 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm | The Honor X7 is slightly larger and thicker, which might be noticeable in hand. |
| Weight | 189g | 198g | The Realme C35 is a tad lighter, which might make it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.74" | The Honor X7 offers a slightly larger screen, which could be better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 720x1600 | The Realme C35's higher resolution means a sharper image with more detail for reading, watching videos, and gaming. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 401 | 260 | The Realme C35 offers a significantly crisper display, with less visible pixelation. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use similar display tech; expect good color reproduction and decent viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Honor X7 offers smoother animations and scrolling, which can enhance the fluidity of the user interface. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is not specified, will be a key factor when using outdoors in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc T616 (12nm) | Snapdragon 680 (6nm) | The Snapdragon 680 in the Honor X7 is more power-efficient and offers better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 249,000 | The Honor X7 has a slightly higher benchmark score, indicating potentially smoother and faster performance in apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 610 in the Honor X7 generally performs better in graphics-intensive tasks and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8) | 48MP (f/1.8) | The Realme C35 has a higher megapixel count, which might translate to better detail in well-lit conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP (f/2.0, Sony Exmor) | 8MP (f/2.0) | Both have the same selfie resolution, likely offering similar selfie quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 5MP (f/2.2) | The Honor X7's wide-angle lens lets you capture more in a single shot, adding versatility. |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | The Honor X7 includes a dedicated depth sensor, which can enhance portrait photos with blurred backgrounds. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | 2MP (f/2.4) | Both phones have the same low-resolution macro camera, which is fine for close-up shots in good light. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP (f/2.8) | None | The Realme C35 has a dedicated B&W lens for potentially artistic monochrome photos, though use cases may be niche. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both phones record similar quality video, with standard frame rates. |
| DXOMark Score | - | 61 (Mobile) | The Honor X7 has been benchmarked by DxOMark, which can give users some idea of the camera's relative performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, which should provide all-day battery life for moderate users. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 22.5W fast charging | The Honor X7 charges faster, reducing waiting time. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both phones run older versions of Android. The user experience may vary based on skin customisations |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both support common Wi-Fi standards, with the Honor X7 offering additional features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | The Honor X7 offers a slightly newer version of Bluetooth, potentially resulting in better connection stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Honor X7 is more accurate thanks to its support of more GPS standards such as Galileo |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128GB | 128GB | The Honor X7 has a standard 128 GB of storage while the Realme C35 can be configured with 64 or 128GB |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB/6GB | The Honor X7 offers a 6GB option, which provides better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phones supports expandable storage. |
2. Key Insights
- Realme C35: The Realme C35 shines with its sharper display thanks to its higher resolution and pixel density. It also has a black and white camera which can be used to take artistic shots. It is lighter than its competitor and may be more comfortable for some users.
- Honor X7: The Honor X7 holds its ground with a smoother refresh rate, a more efficient processor, a versatile camera setup with a wide-angle lens and better charging speeds, and better GPS accuracy. The performance is better than the Realme C35.
Trade-offs
- Display: While the Realme C35 boasts a crisper display, the Honor X7's smoother 90Hz refresh rate may be more appealing to some.
- Performance: The Honor X7 with the Snapdragon 680 outperforms the Realme C35, particularly in power efficiency and graphic-intensive tasks.
- Camera: While Realme C35 has a higher MP count, the Honor X7 includes a wide-angle lens for versatility and performs better on DXOMark.
- Storage: Honor X7 only comes in 128 GB compared to Realme C35 which comes with 64 or 128 GB
- RAM: Honor X7 offers an optional 6GB RAM version compared to Realme C35 which only has a 4GB version
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Realme C35:
- Best for: Users who prioritize display clarity, and those who enjoy artistic photos with the monochrome lens.
- Use Cases: Reading, social media browsing, watching videos and light photography.
- Honor X7:
- Best for: Users seeking smoother performance, a more versatile camera setup, and faster charging. Also suitable for users who prefer a larger display and want an optional 6GB of RAM.
- Use Cases: Multitasking, gaming, capturing different perspectives with the wide-angle lens, and quick charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How much do I value display sharpness vs. smoothness? If you value clarity for reading and browsing, the Realme C35 is a better choice. For smoother animations, go with the Honor X7.
- Do I prioritize camera versatility or main camera resolution? If you want a wide-angle lens and depth sensors, the Honor X7 is better. If you want higher resolution and a black and white lens, the Realme C35 may be better.
- Is charging speed and performance a key factor for you? If so, the Honor X7’s faster charging and better processor make it the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1 (Casual User): If you use your phone mainly for calls, messages, social media, and occasional video watching, the Realme C35 is a good choice for its sharper display, but the Honor X7 offers slightly better overall value and performance.
- Scenario 2 (Photography Enthusiast): If you enjoy taking photos, the Honor X7’s wide-angle and depth lenses offer better versatility. The Realme C35 is a decent option if you prioritize higher MP count on the main camera, as well as having a black and white lens for artistic photos.
- Scenario 3 (Mobile Gamer or Multitasker): The Honor X7 has an optional 6 GB RAM and faster processor, making it better for more demanding apps and gaming.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I'd lean towards the Honor X7. The Snapdragon 680 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage, the 90Hz display, while slightly lower resolution, offers a smoother visual experience, and I value the versatility of the wide-angle lens. I'd also appreciate the faster 22.5W charging, which is more convenient. Although the Realme C35 has a sharper display, the slightly better overall performance of the Honor X7 makes it my pick. As an engineer, I prefer devices that don't compromise on performance.
