Alright, let’s break down the Realme C35 and the Motorola ThinkPhone. On paper, they occupy different tiers in the smartphone market, and the specifications back that up. But, as always, the devil is in the details and how those specs translate into the daily experience. Let's dive in, shall we?
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the key specs, focusing on what they actually mean for you and me:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Motorola ThinkPhone | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm | Realme C35 is a bit taller and wider, while the ThinkPhone is slightly thicker; the differences are minor overall, with ThinkPhone being slightly more compact |
| Weight | 189g | 188.5g | Both are very similar in hand feel – essentially the same in terms of weight. |
| Build | Plastic Frame, Glass Front | Metal Frame, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Front, | The ThinkPhone feels more premium and durable thanks to metal and Gorilla Glass Victus, Realme C35 has plastic build. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.6" | Identical screen size, giving you the same screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 | 1080 x 2400 | Essentially the same level of sharpness; you won't notice a difference in pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | P-OLED | ThinkPhone boasts superior colors and contrast with its OLED, making images more vibrant, blacks darker, and overall viewing experience better. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The ThinkPhone is dramatically smoother in animations and scrolling, giving a more premium feel and better gameplay. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The ThinkPhone’s display is far more readable in bright sunlight, it is significantly better outdoors, Realme C35 is not readable outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ThinkPhone is significantly more powerful, offering much faster performance for apps, games, and multitasking, being more future proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 1,232,700 | The ThinkPhone is considerably faster in real-world usage, with the difference felt particularly in intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 730 | ThinkPhone’s superior GPU provides a much better gaming and graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" sensor | Both phones have a 50MP main camera, but the ThinkPhone has a larger sensor and better image processing, providing better low light performance |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.45 | ThinkPhone captures much more detail in selfies due to its higher megapixel count, while Realme C35 has wider aperture for better low light |
| Extra Cameras | 2MP Macro, 2MP B&W | 13MP Wide-Angle/Macro, 2MP Depth | The ThinkPhone has a more versatile camera setup, while the Realme C35 also has a good set of cameras. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | The ThinkPhone is leaps and bounds ahead in video capabilities, offering high-resolution recording and better stabilization and slow motion. |
| Features | PDAF, HDR, Digital Stabilization | PDAF, OIS, RAW, 4K/8K Recording | ThinkPhone captures higher-quality videos with image stabilization; RAW photos allow more editing freedom |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, indicating potentially similar battery endurance. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless | ThinkPhone charges much faster with 68W, and has the added convenience of wireless charging, making it better for charging convenience. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | The ThinkPhone is based on the newest Android 13 version, while Realme C35 is based on Android 11 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), MiMO | ThinkPhone provides a more advanced Wi-Fi that offers faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in congested networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The ThinkPhone is based on the newest version of Bluetooth. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | ThinkPhone has more RAM, which translates to smoother multitasking. |
| Storage | 64GB/128GB | 256GB | ThinkPhone provides ample storage space for your apps, photos, and videos. |
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Mics | ThinkPhone delivers significantly better audio quality with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos, and also better voice capture |
| Security | Side-Mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Realme C35 has a more advanced side mounted fingerprint, while Motorola ThinkPhone has basic fingerprint |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ThinkPhone screen is far more resistant to scratches and impacts, making it far more durable than Realme C35 |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35: The Budget Champion
- Strengths: The Realme C35 is designed for budget-conscious users. It offers a large display and good battery life at a very accessible price point. Its design is decent, and it offers a good primary camera for the price segment.
- Limitations: The performance is its biggest limitation. The Unisoc chipset struggles with heavy tasks and demanding games, and the screen technology is dated. The charging speed is also slow, and it doesn't offer fast wireless charging.
- User Experience: This phone is best for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and casual photography. It is not meant for heavy use or gaming.
Motorola ThinkPhone: The Business Powerhouse
- Strengths: The ThinkPhone is a powerhouse with a high-end chipset, amazing display, and fast charging. The camera setup is versatile, and the audio quality is top-notch. The build quality is fantastic, and the device is much more durable.
- Limitations: It's significantly more expensive and might be overkill for casual users. The lack of expandable storage could be a limitation for some, but the provided storage is more than enough.
- User Experience: This phone is ideal for professionals and power users. It handles demanding applications, multitasking, and high-quality gaming effortlessly. The ThinkPhone is also a solid pick for content creators.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35 is Ideal For:
- Budget-conscious users who need a reliable phone for basic tasks.
- Users who prioritize battery life over performance and display quality.
- First-time smartphone users or those who need a secondary phone.
Motorola ThinkPhone is Ideal For:
- Professionals who require a fast, secure, and durable smartphone for their workflow.
- Mobile gamers who want top-notch performance and display quality.
- Content creators who want great cameras, good video recording, and reliable performance.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your budget? If you have a limited budget, the Realme C35 is a no-brainer. If your budget is flexible, then the ThinkPhone is the much better option.
- How important is performance? If you need a phone for heavy use, gaming, or multitasking, the ThinkPhone is your best bet. If you're just browsing or using basic apps, the C35 will do fine.
- How important are the display and camera? If the display is a key element for you, or if you are doing content creation on your phone, then ThinkPhone will be your first pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A casual user on a budget – The Realme C35 is a solid choice. It will handle social media, web browsing, and calls without any issues, while the battery life will be more than enough.
- Scenario 2: A mobile gamer who wants the best performance – The Motorola ThinkPhone is the clear winner. It provides high-end performance, an amazing display with a high refresh rate, and great audio for immersive gameplay.
- Scenario 3: A professional who needs a reliable, powerful phone – The ThinkPhone will be the best fit. The durability and performance are more than enough for all the needs of a professional user.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two, I'd go for the Motorola ThinkPhone without a second thought. While the Realme C35 is a decent option for its price segment, the ThinkPhone is just on another level, and it is very hard to even compare them.
The ThinkPhone has a superior display, outstanding performance, fast charging, better build quality, much more versatile camera setup with more features, better audio quality, and a much better user experience. All of this justifies the premium price, especially if you need a top-notch device that can handle anything you throw at it. The durability and the overall quality of the phone are also unmatched compared to Realme C35. For anyone who can afford it, the ThinkPhone will be a much better option.
