Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Realme C35 and the Motorola Edge 30 Neo. As always, I’m going to focus on what these specs actually mean for you, the end-user. No jargon dumps here, just practical insights.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Realme C35 | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 152.9 x 71.2 x 7.8 mm | The Realme C35 is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, feeling more substantial in hand, while the Edge 30 Neo is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 189g | 155g | The Edge 30 Neo is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Unknown | Unknown | Both seem to have standard, unspecified build materials and screen protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.28" | The Realme C35 offers a larger viewing area, while the Edge 30 Neo is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both have sharp, high-definition displays, with minimal difference in clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 401 PPI | 419 PPI | Both screens are very similar in sharpness, with the Edge 30 Neo having a tiny edge, practically unnoticeable. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | The Edge 30 Neo has a much superior display with deeper blacks, vibrant colors and better viewing angles. IPS is more basic in quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Edge 30 Neo's 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother, more responsive experience, especially noticeable in scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 695 is significantly more powerful, offering better overall performance for apps and games, and being more energy efficient (6nm vs 12nm). |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 425,200 | The Edge 30 Neo is significantly faster in daily usage, with almost double the performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 619 | The Adreno 619 is better for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.70µm | The Edge 30 Neo has a higher resolution sensor with potentially better detail and low-light performance. Sensor size is also larger. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | The Edge 30 Neo has a much higher resolution front camera with potentially more detail, and larger pixels, but a slightly less bright aperture. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Realme C35 has a dedicated macro lens, which might appeal to niche users, while the Edge 30 Neo doesn't. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The Edge 30 Neo includes a versatile ultra-wide lens which also acts as a macro lens. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | The Realme C35 has a dedicated black and white camera which will probably be an underused feature for most. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60/120fps | The Edge 30 Neo offers more video recording options, including higher frame rates and stabilization. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, CDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, LAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Edge 30 Neo has better stabilization and laser autofocus. Realme C35 has additional camera, but will not be very usable. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | The Realme C35 has a larger battery, which should offer longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 18W fast | 68W fast, 5W wireless | The Edge 30 Neo charges much faster with wired and also has the convenience of wireless charging. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, Wireless charge 5W | Both have non-removable batteries; Edge 30 Neo has wireless charging capability. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 15) | The Edge 30 Neo has a newer operating system with more software updates down the line. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | Both share standard Wi-Fi protocols; Edge 30 Neo offers Wi-Fi Direct and Display which provides more connectivity flexibility. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | Edge 30 Neo has a more updated Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | Both have standard GPS protocols. Edge 30 Neo also supports SUPL, Galileo and Realme C35 supports Beidou. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both support Dual SIM, Dual Standby, Nano SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | The Edge 30 Neo starts at 128GB and goes up to 256GB providing significantly more space for apps and media. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | The Edge 30 Neo has double the RAM for better multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage, which is a drawback of both phones. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Edge 30 Neo offers a far superior audio experience with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Realme C35 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Edge 30 Neo provides basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Edge 30 Neo provides additional biometric sensor. |
2. Key Insights
- Realme C35 Strengths:
- Larger Screen: If you prioritize a larger display for media consumption, the Realme C35 has the edge (pun intended).
- Bigger Battery: For users needing the longest battery life, the Realme C35’s 5000mAh battery is a clear advantage.
- Macro Camera: Has a dedicated macro camera which might be useful in certain niches.
- Motorola Edge 30 Neo Strengths:
- Superior Display: The P-OLED display is a massive upgrade, offering richer colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles.
- Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 695 chip provides a much smoother and more responsive experience, especially for gaming and intensive tasks.
- Faster Charging: With 68W fast charging, the Edge 30 Neo will be ready to go again in a fraction of the time. Wireless charging is also a great feature.
- Better Audio: The Edge 30 Neo has a richer audio experience due to the stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos.
- More RAM & Storage: With double the RAM and higher storage capacity it has a much better memory profile and will perform significantly better in multitasking scenarios.
- Better Video Recording Options: Offers higher frame rate recording (120fps, 60 fps) and stabilization.
- Newer OS: Has a newer version of Android which can also be upgraded up to Android 15.
- Trade-offs:
- Realme C35: While the larger screen and battery are appealing, it compromises on screen quality, overall performance and charging speeds.
- Motorola Edge 30 Neo: Sacrifices a bit of battery capacity for a more premium display and performance, and a more compact form factor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Realme C35:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a large screen and long battery life above all else, without breaking the bank.
- Basic Use Cases: Suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and media consumption where performance demands are not extremely high.
- Motorola Edge 30 Neo:
- Performance Seekers: Ideal for users who want a smooth, responsive experience with better gaming performance and multitasking capabilities.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Best suited for users who value a high-quality display and a better overall multimedia experience.
- Tech-Savvy Users: Appreciates modern features like wireless charging and a smoother, up to date software experience.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask yourself these questions:
- How important is display quality to you? If you prioritize a vibrant display with better contrast and viewing angles, the Edge 30 Neo is the clear winner. If you’re just looking for a big screen to consume media, the Realme C35 might suffice.
- Do you prioritize performance and speed, or longer battery life? The Edge 30 Neo offers substantially better performance with much faster charging, while the Realme C35 focuses on extended battery life.
- What are your audio needs? The Edge 30 Neo has a much better audio experience due to the stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. If audio is not a priority, Realme C35 may be a good option for you.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're a casual user who just browses and watches videos.
- Recommendation: If you are on a tight budget and need larger display and longer battery life, the Realme C35 will do the job. However, if budget allows, you may consider the superior display and performance of Edge 30 Neo.
- Scenario 2: You're a mobile gamer or a heavy user who needs good performance.
- Recommendation: The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is the far superior choice here. Its faster processor, better screen, higher refresh rate and faster charging will make a huge difference in your daily usage experience.
- Scenario 3: You're a student or budget-conscious user who wants to use the phone all day without charging.
- Recommendation: The Realme C35’s bigger battery is a major advantage, however it will come with significant compromises in display, software, performance, audio and charging speeds. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo will be a far more complete experience due to faster performance and faster charging despite smaller battery size.
My Choice and Why
Given the specifications, I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Neo without hesitation. For me, the vastly superior display with P-OLED technology, the much better performance from the Snapdragon 695 chipset, the faster charging, wireless charging, better audio and the overall smoother experience make it the clear winner. The additional RAM and storage are also a great plus.
While the Realme C35 offers a larger battery and a bigger screen at a potentially lower price point, the overall experience will be significantly worse, particularly when it comes to screen quality, performance, multimedia, responsiveness and charging speeds. The Edge 30 Neo offers a much more premium and user friendly experience and therefore my choice.
