Alright, let's dive deep into the Realme C35 and Motorola Moto G24. These two budget-friendly contenders have some interesting differences that could sway your decision one way or the other. I'll break it all down with my usual blend of technical detail and real-world practicality.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at how these phones stack up, focusing on how the specs translate to your day-to-day use:
Feature | Realme C35 | Motorola Moto G24 | Real-World Implications |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 163.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm | Moto G24 is slightly more compact, potentially easier to handle, especially for smaller hands. C35 is a bit wider and might feel slightly bulkier. |
Weight | 189g | 181g | The Moto G24 is a bit lighter, which might be a plus for extended use. The 8g difference, though not huge, is noticeable. |
Foldable | Standard | Standard | Standard form factor; both are typical slab-style smartphones. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.6" | 6.56" | Essentially the same screen size; the difference won't be noticeable in real life. |
Resolution | 1080x2408 | 720x1612 | The Realme C35’s screen is significantly sharper, leading to clearer text and images. This is a big difference. |
PPI | 401 | 269 | A higher PPI on the Realme C35 results in a much sharper picture and less pixelation. This makes a huge difference in clarity. |
Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use IPS LCD tech, meaning similar viewing angles and color reproduction. Nothing special here. |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Moto G24 will have a smoother screen, which feels more fluid while scrolling, especially for social media. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 500 nits | The Moto G24 will be dramatically easier to use outdoors on sunny days. The C35 will struggle and be nearly unusable. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | The Helio G85 in the Moto G24 offers better overall performance, with a higher benchmark score. This might lead to slightly faster app loading times. |
AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 266,894 | The Moto G24 scores 16% higher, indicating superior performance. |
GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Moto G24's GPU is a bit better, translating to smoother graphics in games. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both devices should offer similar battery life, easily lasting a full day on typical usage. |
Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | The Realme C35 will charge slightly faster, saving you some waiting time. |
Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard non-removable batteries. |
Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both phones should take very similar-quality shots with their main cameras. |
Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Both phones will capture similar quality selfies with these cameras. |
Wide Angle Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Moto G24 gives you an option for capturing wide angle shots, which is handy for landscapes and group photos, but it’s a low-res 2MP sensor. |
Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both devices offer macro lenses, but don’t expect fantastic quality. |
Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | Realme C35 has a dedicated black-and-white lens, if you enjoy monochrome shots. |
Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer standard 1080p recording at 30fps. |
Slow Motion | No | Yes, 120fps | Moto G24 can capture slow motion, which is fun to play with. |
Camera Features | CDAF, Continuous Shooting | RAW | Moto G24 offers RAW capture, good for photographers who like more editing control. C35 has PDAF and CDAF which can speed up focus. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Moto G24 comes with a newer version of Android which is a significant advantage providing more security and functionality. The C35 is now 3 versions behind. |
Connectivity | |||
WiFi | 802.11ac, Hotspot | 802.11ac, Dual-band, Direct | Moto G24 supports dual band WiFi which means less interference on the 5GHz band, as well as Wi-Fi Direct, which allows for quick file transfers. |
Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | The Moto G24 includes HID which means it will work with more devices. |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Moto G24 supports more satellite systems for better GPS accuracy. |
SIM | Dual Standby | Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM cards. |
Storage | |||
Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | The Moto G24 has a higher base storage configuration as well as having a maximum storage size of 256GB compared to the 128GB of the C35. |
RAM | 4 GB | 4/8 GB | The Moto G24 offers an 8GB RAM option, which is far better for multitasking and more demanding apps. |
Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports SD card expansion. |
Audio | |||
Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Moto G24 offers much better sound quality through the use of Dolby Atmos, and having stereo speakers which provide immersive sound. |
Security | |||
Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both phones offer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which is very convenient for unlocking. |
Sensors | |||
Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola's phone has an extra sensor for fingerprint authentication. |
Build Quality | |||
Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have unknown screen protection, so invest in a screen protector. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35
- Strengths: Its primary advantage lies in its higher resolution display. If you're someone who values crispness in text and images, especially when browsing or reading, the C35 offers a noticeable edge over the Moto G24. It also has a dedicated black and white camera if you are into that.
- Competitive Advantages: The higher resolution screen with a better PPI for more crisp visuals, and PDAF for faster focusing.
- Trade-offs: The C35’s older software, lower brightness, lower processing power, lack of wide-angle lens and slow-motion video recording are big drawbacks, as is the slightly heavier weight.
Motorola Moto G24
- Strengths: The Moto G24 offers a smoother display thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate, better outdoor visibility with higher brightness, superior performance with a more powerful chip, a better RAM option, more storage, a wide-angle lens, slow-motion video, up-to-date software, and enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos. It's the more practical phone for daily use.
- Competitive Advantages: The main advantages of the G24 are its higher refresh rate display for smoother experience, higher brightness for ease of viewing in sunlight, superior performance, more RAM and storage options, wide-angle lens, enhanced audio with stereo speakers, and up-to-date software.
- Trade-offs: The Moto G24’s main trade-off is that it has lower resolution display which is less crisp than the Realme C35, but this is a small price to pay for its other advantages.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35:
- Ideal User: The user who prioritizes sharp visuals and does not plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. This person would also value having a dedicated black and white sensor and might have a lower budget.
- Use Cases: Primarily for indoor use: browsing, reading, consuming static content. It would be a good choice for someone who reads a lot of ebooks and isn't particularly interested in gaming or video.
Motorola Moto G24:
- Ideal User: The person who values an all-around experience. The G24 is great for those who want a reliable phone for everyday tasks. They value having good battery life, good outdoor visibility, smoother scrolling, better audio and an up-to-date software.
- Use Cases: Everyday use: social media, browsing, media consumption (especially with the improved audio), and casual gaming. The 90Hz screen refresh and brighter screen make it better for use on the go. The wide-angle camera is great for casual photography.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is display sharpness to you? If crisp visuals are a top priority, the Realme C35 might be the better choice. But if you value smoothness, and brightness, the Moto G24 will serve you better.
- Will you be using your phone a lot outdoors? The Moto G24’s higher brightness is essential for outdoor visibility. The Realme C35 will struggle to be seen.
- Do you want an up-to-date experience? The Android 14 operating system on the Motorola offers a newer and more secure experience than the older Android 11 on the Realme.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Shopper (Mainly Indoors): The Realme C35 can be a cost-effective option if you mainly use your phone indoors.
- Everyday User (Some Outdoors): The Motorola Moto G24 offers a better balanced experience with its smooth display, better performance and great outdoor visibility.
- Casual Gamer/Multitasker: The Moto G24 with its 8GB RAM configuration, is better for multitasking and light gaming.
My Choice
If it were me, I'd choose the Motorola Moto G24. Here’s why:
The Realme C35 has a higher resolution display which is great for crispness. However, the older Android 11 software, the poor outdoor visibility, lower brightness, slower performance, lower refresh rate, less storage and RAM and the lack of a wide angle lens, makes the Realme C35 a much less practical device.
The Motorola Moto G24’s smooth screen, much higher brightness, more powerful processor, bigger storage and RAM option, better audio, wide angle lens, and newer software make it the more versatile and future-proof choice for me. The slightly lower screen resolution is a small price to pay for the other advantages of the Moto G24. Plus, the Moto G24's features are more suited to everyday life and are a big plus.
Ultimately, the "better" phone depends on your specific needs. But in most cases, the Moto G24 will provide a more well-rounded user experience.