Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Realme C35 and the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. I'll break down the specs, translate them into real-world implications, and guide you toward the best choice for your needs.
Specifications Breakdown
Here's a comprehensive table comparing the key specifications of the Realme C35 and the Motorola Edge 40 Pro, focusing on how these specs impact daily use:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Motorola Edge 40 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-02-14 | 2023-04-04 | Motorola is newer, with more up-to-date tech. |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 161.2 x 74 x 8.6 mm | Realme is slightly taller and wider, while Motorola is thicker. Comfort in hand may vary. |
| Weight | 189g | 199g | Realme is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Very similar screen sizes; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both are Full HD+; similar sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 401 PPI | 394 PPI | Practically identical sharpness; you won't see a difference with naked eyes. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | OLED | Significant difference: Motorola's OLED will provide much richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to the Realme’s LCD panel. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | Major Difference: Motorola will offer far smoother animations and scrolling. The Realme's 60Hz may appear choppy in comparison. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Huge difference: Motorola’s display will be clearly visible outdoors, while Realme's screen would be hard to read under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Massive difference: Motorola has a top-tier, much more powerful chip that's significantly more efficient. Realme’s chipset is very entry level. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 1,532,500 | Stunningly huge performance gap Motorola is in a completely different league. Apps will launch much faster, multitasking will be effortless, and gaming is superior. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 740 | Motorola will handle demanding graphics-intensive applications much smoother than the Realme. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | Realme's larger battery will offer potentially longer battery life, but this is complicated by the much more efficient chip in Motorola. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging | Huge Difference: Motorola will recharge far quicker. Realme’s charging feels quite slow by comparison. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse, Wireless (15W), Reverse wired (5W), Non-removable | Motorola’s wireless and reverse charging add convenience and versatility. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" Sensor, OV50A, 1.00µm | Both have a 50MP main shooter. Motorola's significantly larger sensor size and higher quality sensor should provide much better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, Sony Exmor | 60MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sensor, OV60A, 0.61µm | Motorola will have higher resolution selfies. Realme has slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.93" Sensor, IMX663, 1.22µm | Motorola adds a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed photos, providing much greater flexibility in photography. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" Sensor, S5KJN1, 0.64µm | Motorola adds a wide angle lens for capturing wider landscape shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme adds a macro lens for close up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | Realme adds a black and white lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@up to 960fps with HDR, EIS | Massive difference: Motorola offers far superior video recording quality and features, including higher resolutions, much higher fps, stabilization, and slow motion. |
| DXOMark | Not Tested | Mobile: 130, Photo: 133, Video: 135 | Motorola is a strong performer in camera quality. Realme not tested. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Contrast detection autofocus (CDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Time-Lapse, 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Dual capture, RAW, Night Mode | Motorola’s OIS will greatly reduce camera shake. Better shooting options in various situations. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13, Upgradable to 16 | Motorola offers a more recent version of Android and the promise of future upgrades, which is a major benefit for long term usability. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be/6E | Motorola has newer Wi-Fi standards that provide faster speeds, less interference, and future proofing. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3, Apt-x, LDAC, SBC | Motorola offers newer Bluetooth version. Better audio codec options for wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | Motorola supports more GPS constellations which results in better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano-SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Motorola provides more flexibility via the use of eSIMs. |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Motorola provides significantly more storage space. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB | Huge difference: Motorola will handle demanding tasks and multitasking much better. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | Motorola has greatly enhanced audio features. Better for multimedia consumption and conferencing. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both have a fingerprint sensor, however side-mounted is better for ergonomics. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola uses stronger and more scratch-resistant glass on its display. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola provides more comprehensive sensors for additional functionalities. |
Key Insights
Realme C35 Strengths:
- Affordability: The C35 is clearly designed for budget-conscious users.
- Slightly larger battery: Potentially longer battery life, but this is dependent on usage.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: More ergonomic than basic fingerprint sensors.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro Strengths:
- Performance Beast: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a massive upgrade, offering blazing-fast performance for all tasks.
- Superior Display: The OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate is a premium experience, with better color accuracy, clarity and fluidity.
- Professional-Grade Cameras: The addition of a telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, and higher-quality sensors, combined with 8K video, and OIS make this a much more capable camera system.
- Fast Charging: The 125W fast charging is incredibly convenient, and wireless charging is a big plus.
- Better Software and Connectivity: Newer OS, future upgrades, and the latest Wi-Fi/Bluetooth standards make it more future-proof and versatile.
- Premium Build: Gorilla Glass Victus for better screen protection.
- More Storage and RAM: No problems storing all your photos/videos/apps and running intensive apps and games.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme C35 sacrifices a lot of performance, display quality, and features to achieve its budget-friendly price.
- The Motorola Edge 40 Pro comes at a much higher cost, but justifies this with its high-end performance, camera capabilities, and features.
- The Realme’s larger battery is not as relevant due to the more efficient chipset in the Motorola.
- The Realme uses older versions of Android, and less frequent updates will be available.
User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35 is Best For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use.
- Users who want good battery life: Those who prioritize battery life over performance and camera capabilities.
- Users who need a side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Those who value ergonomics with the placement of fingerprint sensor.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro is Best For:
- Power Users: Those who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with excellent image quality.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who want a premium display for watching movies and playing games.
- Future-Proofing Users: Those who value having the latest technologies and software updates.
Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- What's your budget? If you are strictly on a limited budget, the Realme is worth considering.
- What's your priority? Is it performance and features, or basic functionality? If you are a power user who values performance, then the Motorola is a clear choice. If you need a basic phone for basic tasks then the Realme may be good for you.
- How long do you want to use the phone? If you need a phone for the long term, the Motorola offers better software and connectivity, which makes it a more viable option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User on a Tight Budget: If you need a cheap smartphone for basic tasks, the Realme C35 will get the job done. However, you should be aware of the compromises you are making with performance, camera quality and display quality.
- Scenario 2: Active Social Media User: The Motorola would be the better choice for you, given the high quality front-facing camera, as well as the much improved display, which is much more useful when browsing social media. The higher performance also means better loading times on apps and smoother scrolling.
- Scenario 3: Gamer/Content Creator: The Motorola is the only option here with its powerful chipset, fast RAM, high refresh rate display, and vastly superior camera system.
My Choice
If it were my money on the line, I would absolutely choose the Motorola Edge 40 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance Difference is Too Big: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a different class of chipset than the Unisoc in the Realme. The Motorola will be able to handle any task with ease, and it will remain that way for the long term.
- The Display is Amazing: As someone who spends hours on my phone every day, the OLED display with a high refresh rate is just phenomenal. The difference in screen quality is huge, and once you’ve seen it, there is no going back.
- Camera Capabilities: I value having a versatile camera system. The Telephoto lens and the Wide-Angle lens make for a much better experience. The ability to shoot 8K videos at 30 FPS as well as 4K at 60FPS is a game changer for content creators.
- Future Proofing: The Motorola's newer software, better connectivity options, and greater storage and RAM means I won't need to upgrade for several years.
- Fast Charging and Wireless Charging: These are must-have conveniences for me, that save valuable time.
The price difference is significant, yes, but the Motorola Edge 40 Pro's overall package is so much more compelling that it would easily justify the extra investment.
I hope this in-depth analysis has been helpful. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
