Alright, let's dive deep into this comparison between the Realme C35 and the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. It's a classic David vs. Goliath scenario, and as a tech journalist with an engineering background, I'm always excited to see how these different ends of the spectrum stack up.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, focusing on what these specifications actually mean for you, the user:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Huawei Pura 70 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | 162.6 × 75.1 × 8.4 mm | Realme is taller but thinner; Pura 70 is slightly more compact, but a bit thicker. Minimal practical difference |
| Weight | 189g | 226g | Realme C35 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.8" | Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1260x2844 | Pura 70 Ultra will appear significantly sharper due to the higher pixel count. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 401 | 460 | Pura 70 Ultra's display will show finer details and text with a sharper image overall. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Pura 70 Ultra's OLED delivers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast; the C35 LCD is decent, but basic. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Pura 70 Ultra offers smoother scrolling, gaming, and overall experience due to the faster refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 Ultra is much better suited for use in bright sunlight and outdoor visibility. Realme C35 is essentially unreadable. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Kirin 9010 (7 nm) | Pura 70 Ultra's chip is significantly more powerful, ensuring better performance for games and apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 869,707 | The Pura 70 Ultra performs exponentially better. It's much faster, more fluid and more capable for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Maleoon 910 (8 core) | Pura 70 Ultra's GPU allows for high-end gaming and graphically intensive applications with ease. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.6, 1" sensor, Sony IMX989 | Pura 70 Ultra's larger sensor and wider aperture will capture much more light, leading to better low-light photos and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Pura 70 Ultra's higher resolution will allow for better detail in selfies. The C35 aperture is slightly better. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.1 | Pura 70 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots; Realme has no telephoto capabilities at all. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 40MP, f/2.2, 1/1.7" | Pura 70 Ultra has a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive shots; Realme C35 has no such capabilities. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme C35 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up photography. Pura 70 Ultra does not. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | Realme C35 has a dedicated black and white lens, Pura 70 Ultra does not. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K with high framerate slow-motion | Pura 70 Ultra allows for higher video quality and advanced slow-motion capturing. |
| DxOMark Score | Not tested | 163 (Mobile), 0 (Photo), 0 (Video) | Pura 70 Ultra has been tested and scored well, the Realme has not been tested. |
| Camera Features | Basic | Advanced | Pura 70 Ultra offers more advanced features such as optical zoom, OIS, RAW capture and a night mode. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5200mAh | Pura 70 Ultra has a slightly bigger battery, expected to be comparable in battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Pura 70 Ultra charges significantly faster; Realme C35's charging is very slow by comparison. |
| Charging Features | Non-removable | 100W fast, 80W wireless, 20W reverse wireless | Pura 70 Ultra has fast and wireless charging, along with reverse charging; Realme has a basic setup. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unknown | Realme C35 offers a basic Android experience while the OS for the Pura 70 Ultra is not detailed here. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Pura 70 Ultra has a faster and more modern WiFi standard, offering better speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Pura 70 Ultra offers improved energy efficiency, range and audio quality thanks to the newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | Pura 70 Ultra offers more precise and comprehensive location services due to the extensive satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM support for managing two phone numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 512 GB or 1024 GB | Pura 70 Ultra comes with significantly more storage. Realme C35 will fill up very fast. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 16 GB | Pura 70 Ultra offers more RAM for smoother multitasking, which allows better app performance and more headroom for large applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers storage expansion via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Pura 70 Ultra offers a higher quality, more immersive audio with dedicated stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Realme C35 offers slightly better fingerprint access due to the side mounted position. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones offer similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Pura 70 Ultra features additional sensors which provide more advanced functionality. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35: This phone is clearly targeting budget-conscious users. Its main advantages are its light weight and basic features for day to day use, it's lower cost is also a huge advantage. However, it makes significant sacrifices in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities. The battery life is decent and the charging is below average. The software is also old and may soon fall out of date.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra: This is a flagship device that emphasizes performance, photography, and display quality. It boasts a superior display, incredibly powerful processor, a very high end camera setup with advanced features, and very fast charging capabilities. However, it comes with a higher price point, but for those who prioritize a top-tier mobile experience, this is it.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35:
- Best for: Budget-conscious users, first-time smartphone buyers, or those who need a secondary device for basic communication and light use.
- Use Cases: Web browsing, social media, simple games, and basic photography in good lighting conditions.
- Limitations: Demanding games, serious photography or any power intensive applications will not perform well on this device.
- Value: The main appeal is the lower price point, sacrificing a lot of performance for affordability.
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra:
- Best for: Power users, photography enthusiasts, mobile gamers, and anyone who wants a premium mobile experience without compromise.
- Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, professional photography and videography, multitasking with demanding applications, and enjoying media on a vibrant display.
- Value: A top-of-the-line device in almost every metric, the price reflects the high-end capabilities.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to guide your decision:
- What is your primary use case for a smartphone? If it's just basic communication and browsing, the Realme C35 is adequate. However, for anything beyond that, the Pura 70 Ultra is necessary.
- How much do you value display and camera quality? If display clarity and camera performance are critical, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is clearly the better choice.
- What is your budget? The Realme C35 is significantly cheaper and targets a budget market. The Pura 70 Ultra is a premium, flagship device that comes with a higher cost.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If you're looking for an affordable smartphone and don't need top-tier performance, the Realme C35 is the better choice.
Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: If your phone is your main camera and you care about capturing high-quality images and videos in all conditions, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is the right decision.
Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer or Power User: For gamers and users who need a smartphone that can handle demanding applications, the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra is the winner due to its more powerful internals.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two, I would absolutely go for the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. As someone who appreciates bleeding-edge technology, the Pura 70 Ultra's display quality, camera capabilities, and sheer processing power are just too compelling. While the price point is higher, the level of performance and feature set justify the investment for my needs. The Realme C35 is adequate for basic tasks, but it's a far cry from the advanced experience provided by the Huawei device. For me, the ability to capture high-quality images, run demanding games, and enjoy media on a beautiful screen are non-negotiable, making the Pura 70 Ultra a clear choice.
