Okay, let's dive deep into a head-to-head comparison of the Realme C35 and the Realme 11 Pro+. It's like comparing a solid, reliable hatchback with a sleek, powerful sports sedan – both have their place, but they offer vastly different experiences. Let's break down the specs and see which one suits your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Realme C35 | Realme 11 Pro+ | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 161.6 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm | C35 is slightly taller and wider, but they are essentially similar and both will fit nicely in your hand. The Pro+ is slightly lighter which is better |
| Weight | 189g | 183g | The Pro+ is slightly lighter, which is more comfortable in hand and for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | The Pro+ has a slightly larger display, offering a bit more screen real estate for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2412 | Both offer sharp visuals; you won't notice a significant difference in clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 401 PPI | 394 PPI | Both phones have very similar pixel density, ensuring crisp, clear text and images |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Pro+ boasts an AMOLED display, which delivers much better blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the C35's LCD panel. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the Pro+ results in significantly smoother scrolling and animations, making the experience feel more responsive and fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | The Pro+ is far superior in bright sunlight, which makes it much more usable outdoors due to superior screen visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | The Pro+'s chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 540,800 | The Pro+ is much more powerful and you will notice the difference in speed and performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G68 MC4 | The Pro+'s superior GPU offers better graphics processing power, which is beneficial for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8) | 200MP (f/1.69) | The Pro+'s 200MP camera captures significantly more detail, offers better low-light performance, and gives you more flexibility for post-processing. |
| Front Selfie Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) | 32MP (f/2.45) | The Pro+ has much better resolution and performs significantly better for selfie photos |
| Wide Angle lens | None | 8MP (f/2.2) | The Pro+ has a wide angle lens for group photos and more expansive scenery, which is much more versatile. |
| Macro lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | 2MP (f/2.3) | Both phones offer a macro lens for close up shots |
| Black & white lens | 2MP (f/2.8) | None | The C35 has a dedicated black and white camera for creative photos |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps; No; Slow-motion: No, 30 fps | Up to 4K@30fps w/EIS; Yes; Slow-motion: Yes, 960 fps | The Pro+ supports much better video quality, with 4K resolution and more slow-motion options, which makes it much better for content creation |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | The Pro+ has Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), which offers smoother video recordings with less shake. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life in general use. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | The Pro+ charges significantly faster; you can get a full charge in a fraction of the time it takes for the C35. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 (upgradable to 15) | The Pro+ will give you the latest software version with many new features and better security and support |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Pro+ supports faster Wi-Fi 6 speeds, with better performance in crowded areas |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The Pro+ has the latest Bluetooth version, providing more features and better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Pro+ supports more satellite systems providing higher location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | The Pro+ offers significantly more internal storage, which means you won't run out of space as quickly. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8/12 GB | The Pro+ offers much more RAM for multitasking and demanding applications, which results in a much better user experience. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device allows for expandable storage via SD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Pro+ has significantly better audio quality due to having Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos support, and a noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security, with C35 having a more advanced sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35 Strengths:
- Affordable Entry Point: The C35 is designed as a budget-friendly option, focusing on essential smartphone functions.
- Decent Display: The 1080p IPS LCD is good for basic media consumption, though it pales in comparison to the Pro+.
- Good Battery Life: With a 5000mAh battery, it should easily last a full day of normal use.
- Black and White Camera: A dedicated black and white camera for creative shots
Realme 11 Pro+ Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate provides an excellent viewing experience with vibrant colors, smooth scrolling, and much better outdoor visibility.
- Powerful Performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 7050 chipset handles demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming effortlessly, with a massive performance advantage.
- High-Quality Camera: The 200MP main camera and wide-angle lens enable capturing detailed photos and videos, making it very capable for content creation.
- Fast Charging: 100W fast charging gets you back up and running much faster.
- Up-to-date Software: It has a more recent version of Android, providing more features and better security
- Superior Audio: Better quality audio due to stereo speakers and dolby atmos support
- More internal storage: You won't have to worry about running out of storage due to the large storage options.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Realme C35: Lacks power for more demanding use-cases, has an average camera system, no support for 4k video, and a basic LCD screen. No expandable storage
- Realme 11 Pro+: More expensive than the C35, and does not have any expandable storage
- Both: Neither phone have any water resistance rating or support for a 3.5mm headphone jack.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35 is Ideal For:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Individuals looking for a reliable smartphone for basic communication, browsing, and social media.
- First-time smartphone users: Those needing a straightforward phone for daily tasks without complex features.
- Users not needing heavy performance: If you are not a gamer, or require demanding applications, this phone is for you.
- Users who value battery life: It has a large battery that will last you throughout the day.
Realme 11 Pro+ is Ideal For:
- Tech enthusiasts: Users who desire the latest technology and performance.
- Content creators: Ideal for video recording, high-quality photos, and content creation
- Mobile gamers: Those who demand smooth graphics, performance, and responsiveness.
- Multimedia lovers: Users who want an excellent viewing and audio experience
- Users who need fast charging: If you require a phone with fast charging, this is the one.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is your budget? If you're on a tight budget, the C35 is the obvious choice, but understand that you'll sacrifice in many areas. If you can stretch your budget, the Pro+ offers much better value for money due to its upgrades and features.
- What do you use your smartphone for primarily? If it’s mainly social media, calls, and light browsing, the C35 will do just fine. However, if you regularly engage in gaming, content creation, or media consumption, the Pro+ is the far better choice.
- How important are display quality and performance? If you value a vibrant, smooth display, and snappy performance, the Realme 11 Pro+ is a must. The C35's basic display and performance may feel sluggish in comparison.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User: If you mainly use your phone for calls, texts, and basic web browsing, the Realme C35 is a solid, budget-friendly option.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: If you watch lots of videos, play games, or consume content, the Realme 11 Pro+ is a better fit due to its high-quality display, speakers, and processing power.
- Photography Lover: If you enjoy taking photos or creating video content, the Realme 11 Pro+ is significantly superior, with its 200MP camera, wide-angle lens, EIS, and video capabilities.
- Power User: If you need a responsive device for demanding apps and multitasking, the Realme 11 Pro+ is the better option due to its more powerful chipset and higher RAM.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I'd go with the Realme 11 Pro+ without hesitation. While it comes with a higher price tag, the upgrade in display, performance, camera, charging speed, audio quality, and software is simply too significant to ignore.
The Pro+ isn't just a step up; it’s in a completely different league. The 120Hz AMOLED display alone is a game-changer, making everything from browsing social media to watching videos much more enjoyable. I also value the 100W fast charging, because I always forget to charge my phone, and the pro camera features for my photography needs. The Realme 11 Pro+ provides a vastly better user experience for anyone looking for more than just a basic smartphone.
