Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Realme C35 and Realme 9. I'll break down the specs, highlight the key differences, and provide some actionable insights to help you decide which phone fits your needs best.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, focusing on how the technical specifications translate to real-world experiences:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Realme 9 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm | The C35 is slightly larger and may feel less compact in hand. The 9 is a bit smaller which might be more comfortable for single-hand use. |
| Weight | 189g | 178g | The Realme 9 is 11g lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. The C35's heavier build may feel more robust but could be tiring to hold for longer periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.4" | The C35 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing, whereas the 9 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both phones provide a sharp display, with minimal difference in pixel density. You will likely not notice this difference in daily use. |
| Panel Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED on the Realme 9 provides deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, leading to a visually superior viewing experience compared to the IPS LCD on the C35. It also helps with battery efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Realme 9's 90Hz refresh rate results in smoother animations and scrolling making the phone feel more responsive, compared to the standard 60Hz on the C35. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Realme 9's significantly higher peak brightness makes it much more usable in bright sunlight, allowing you to comfortably view the screen outdoors. The lack of a brightness value on the C35 is suspicious. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc T616 (12nm) | Snapdragon 680 (6nm) | The Snapdragon 680 in the Realme 9 is a more modern and efficient chipset built on a 6nm process, it's typically more power-efficient and may handle demanding tasks better than the Unisoc T616 in the C35. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 216,850 | While the C35 scores slightly higher on AnTuTu benchmarks, real-world performance is influenced by other factors such as software optimization and chipset architecture, and is likely a marginal difference. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 in the Realme 9 is typically a slightly more capable GPU, potentially leading to better gaming performance when compared to Mali-G57 MP1. This will depend on the game. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8) | 108MP (f/1.75) | The Realme 9's 108MP sensor captures significantly more detail and has better low-light capabilities due to its wider aperture and larger sensor size, resulting in superior photos compared to the 50MP sensor on the C35. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) | 16MP (f/2.45) | The Realme 9’s 16MP selfie camera captures more detail, but the C35 has a wider aperture for better low-light performance. The larger pixel size on the Realme 9 might offset this. This will depend on your specific needs. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP (f/2.2) | The Realme 9 offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in a single frame, a feature absent in the C35. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | 2MP (f/2.4) | Both devices have similar macro lens for close-up photography; the larger pixels on the Realme 9 might allow slightly better close up performance. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP (f/2.8) | None | The Realme C35 has a dedicated black and white sensor, which may have some utility for creative photography. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both phones offer similar standard video recording but the Realme 9 allows for slow motion video recording at 120 FPS. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer the same battery capacity, so similar day-long usage should be expected, although this is dependent on other factors. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The Realme 9 charges significantly faster with 33W fast charging, reducing waiting times when compared to the slower 18W charging on the C35. |
| Reverse Charging | No | Yes | The Realme 9 has reverse charging, which allows it to charge other devices such as wireless headphones, a feature missing on the C35. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 12 | The Realme 9 comes with a newer version of Android, giving it more features, security improvements, and potentially better app compatibility. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both support Wi-Fi 5 (ac) for fast wireless internet. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 | The Realme 9 has a newer Bluetooth version which may provide more features and better stability with lower power consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Realme 9 uses more satelite systems for better location accuracy in varying environmental conditions. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB or 128GB | 128GB | Both phones are available with 128 GB of storage, but the Realme C35 also has a 64GB option. |
| RAM | 4GB | 6GB or 8GB | The Realme 9 offers significantly more RAM with 6GB or 8GB options compared to the 4GB on the C35, providing a better multi-tasking and gaming experience. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers the option to expand storage, so pick one with sufficient storage from the start. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Hi-Res Audio, 2 Microphones | The Realme 9 has Hi-Res Audio capabilities for better listening experience and includes 2 microphones for clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones have fingerprint sensors, but the side-mounted sensor is typically more advanced when compared to basic sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Realme 9 offers better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Geomagnetic | The Realme 9 features additional biometric sensors, and geomagnetic sensor in comparison. The Realme C35 also has a compass. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35 Strengths:
- Marginally Higher Benchmark Score: Slightly better AnTuTu benchmark score, though the real-world impact is minimal.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint: More advanced fingerprint sensor.
- Black and White Camera: Offers a dedicated sensor for Black and White Photography
- Lower Price Point: Likely to be more budget-friendly, making it appealing to those on a strict budget.
Realme 9 Strengths:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 90Hz refresh rate, providing richer colors, deeper blacks, and smoother visuals.
- Better Performance: More modern and efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset that handles demanding tasks with more efficiency.
- Significantly Better Main Camera: 108MP camera with a wider aperture and a larger sensor captures significantly more detail, leading to better low-light performance.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Additional Camera Lens: Wide Angle camera for additional options when capturing photos.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, adding convenience.
- Additional features: Supports Hi-Res audio, 2 Microphones, newer Bluetooth version.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 is more resistant to scratches and damage.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 12, providing access to more features and better app compatibility.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Realme C35:
- The C35 has an inferior LCD display which is duller, less colorful, and has worse visibility in direct sunlight than the Realme 9.
- The Unisoc chipset while having a slightly higher score in benchmarks, may have worse real world performance in certain applications.
- Slower charging is a key inconvenience.
- Realme 9:
- The Realme 9 is more expensive than the C35.
- No expandable storage on either device.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35 is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Users who prioritize battery life and are not heavily invested in mobile gaming or multimedia.
- Users who want a side mounted fingerprint sensor and are not too worried about a less powerful screen and camera.
- Users who want a dedicated black and white camera for creative photography.
Realme 9 is ideal for:
- Users who want the best visual experience in the segment due to the AMOLED screen and higher refresh rate.
- Users who prioritize performance and camera quality over price.
- Users who want fast charging and the ability to charge other devices.
- Users who want an all-rounded multimedia experience with Hi-Res Audio.
- Users who want a better protected phone due to the Gorilla Glass 5.
- Users who want a newer version of Android
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you make a choice:
- How important is display quality to you?
- If you value vibrant colors, deep blacks, and outdoor visibility, the Realme 9's AMOLED display is the clear winner. If you don't mind a basic LCD display, the C35 will be sufficient.
- How much do you prioritize performance and charging speed?
- If you need a device that can handle heavier tasks smoothly and charge quickly, the Realme 9 is superior.
- What is your budget?
- If you are on a tight budget, the Realme C35 offers a basic feature set that will suffice. If you have a bit of wiggle room, the Realme 9 provides considerable improvements.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Student or budget user: If you’re primarily browsing the web, using social media, and not too concerned about photography or gaming, the Realme C35 will work well.
- Scenario 2: Photo Enthusiast: The Realme 9's superior 108MP main camera and additional wide-angle lens, along with better display, make it the better choice for photography and multimedia consumption.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer: The Realme 9’s faster chipset and better GPU will provide a slightly smoother gaming experience.
- Scenario 4: Multimedia Enthusiast: The Realme 9's AMOLED display, 90Hz refresh rate, better audio quality and faster charging would provide a significantly improved overall experience for multimedia consumption.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go for the Realme 9. Here's why:
While the Realme C35 is a capable device at a budget price point, the Realme 9 offers a markedly better overall experience due to its:
- Superior AMOLED Display: The difference between an IPS LCD and an AMOLED screen is very noticeable, with richer colors and better contrast for a better visual experience, especially when watching videos or looking at images. The smoother 90hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade for daily use.
- More Powerful and Efficient Chipset: The Snapdragon 680 is more future-proof and handles tasks more efficiently. The added benefit is the faster charging.
- Significantly Better Camera: The 108MP camera is a major leap from the 50MP sensor on the C35, offering improved detail and low-light performance. The additional Wide-Angle sensor is a welcome addition.
- Additional Features: The reverse charging, improved audio quality and better screen protection add an additional layer of usefulness and durability.
For me, these enhancements make the Realme 9 worth the additional cost. The superior display, better camera and more efficient performance, and extra features provide a better day to day experience. The Realme 9 offers better value for anyone not strictly on a tight budget.
Hopefully, this in-depth comparison helps you decide which phone is the best fit for you!
