Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Realme C35 and the Samsung Galaxy S23. This isn't just about spec sheets; it's about how these phones fit into your life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Realme C35 | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-02-14 | 2023-02-17 | S23 is a year newer, implying more modern features and software support. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard phones, no foldable tech here. |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm | C35 is noticeably larger and thicker, which could impact one-handed use. The S23 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 168g | S23 is lighter, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.1" | C35 has a larger screen for more immersive media, while S23 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 | 1080 x 2340 | Both offer a Full HD+ experience with slightly different aspect ratios, not noticeable. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 401 | 425 | S23 has slightly sharper display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | S23's AMOLED provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, better contrast, and is more efficient with dark themes. C35's LCD is not as vibrant, but is a more budget-friendly display. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S23 provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | S23's display is incredibly bright, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. C35 will struggle in bright environments. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | S23's chipset is significantly more powerful. Expect much faster app launching and overall performance. |
| Antutu Score | 230,726 | 1,456,671 | S23 is way faster! Expect a superior experience with gaming and heavy applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 740 | S23 has much better graphics performance, perfect for demanding gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, no sensor info | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" Samsung GN5 | S23's standard camera has a better sensor and will likely capture better detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0, Sony Exmor | 12MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5K3LU | S23 has a higher resolution selfie camera, but C35 has a slightly wider aperture, which may perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", Samsung S5K3K1 | S23 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, a feature the C35 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX564 | S23 has a wide-angle lens for capturing more in a scene. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | C35 has a macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.8 | None | C35 has a dedicated B&W lens for artistic photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24/30, 4K@30/60, 1080p@30/60/240/960 fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | S23 records far superior videos in up to 8k. S23 has also much better slow-motion capabilities. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | 133 Mobile Score | S23 offers better photo/video results. |
| Camera Features | Basic features | Night Mode 2.0, 4K Video, 8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, RAW | S23 has advanced camera features, including 4k & 8k video and RAW image capture. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3900mAh | C35 has a larger battery; potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 25W fast charging, 10W Wireless, Reverse Wireless Charging | S23 charges faster wired, offers wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, bypass, reverse, wireless | S23 has additional charging features including battery bypass, reverse charging, 10W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 (up to 17) | S23 has a much newer version of Android, with more features and support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | S23 offers faster Wi-Fi standard (WiFi 6) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | S23 has a newer version of Bluetooth with more features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S23 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | S23 also includes eSIM capability for more flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | S23 provides more storage. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | S23 has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | None | None | Neither phone allows you to expand storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic features | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S23 offers superior audio quality due to noise cancellation and stereo speakers |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Realme C35 features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S23 has significantly better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S23 has a much richer set of sensors |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35:
- Strengths:
- Large Screen & Battery: Ideal for media consumption and users who need long battery life.
- Budget-Friendly: Designed for affordability, making it a great option for those on a tight budget.
- Basic but Functional: Offers decent performance for everyday tasks and includes a macro lens and B&W lens for some additional photography options.
- Trade-offs:
- Underpowered: The Unisoc chip significantly lags behind the Snapdragon in the S23, leading to slower app launches and performance, especially in more demanding scenarios.
- Display: The IPS LCD lacks the vibrancy and brightness of AMOLED screens, making it struggle under direct sunlight.
- Camera Limitations: While the 50MP camera is functional, it lacks the advanced features and overall image quality of the S23.
Samsung Galaxy S23:
- Strengths:
- Flagship Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides top-tier performance, ensuring smooth multitasking, gaming, and overall snappy operations.
- Exceptional Display: The AMOLED screen is brighter, more vibrant, and smoother with a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Superior Camera System: The triple-camera setup, along with its video capabilities and advanced photo features, results in excellent image and video quality.
- Build Quality and Features: It has premium protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, as well as more features like wireless charging and reverse charging.
- Trade-offs:
- Higher Price: The S23 is significantly more expensive than the C35, making it less accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
- Smaller Screen & Battery: The screen size is smaller and the battery capacity is lower than the C35, which can affect long media consumption and battery endurance.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35 is Best For:
- Budget Shoppers: Users who prioritize affordability and want a large display and large battery.
- Basic Users: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing and do not need top-tier performance.
- Media Lovers on a Budget: Those who enjoy watching videos or reading on a larger screen.
Samsung Galaxy S23 is Best For:
- Power Users: Users who need a phone with the best performance for gaming, multitasking, or running demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-quality photos and videos with advanced features.
- Premium Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest features, a sleek design, and are willing to pay a premium for it.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What's your budget? If you're on a tight budget, the C35 is the obvious choice. If budget isn't a primary concern, then the S23 offers far better performance.
- What do you value most? If you prioritize battery life and a large screen and are okay with basic performance, the C35 wins. If you value a premium experience with great performance, camera quality, and advanced features, then the S23 is the better option.
- How will you use your phone daily? If you primarily use your phone for calls, messaging, and basic browsing, the C35 is sufficient. If you're a heavy gamer, content creator, or media enthusiast, the S23 will be a better fit.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Budget-Conscious Student
- Recommendation: Realme C35. Its large screen and battery are perfect for consuming content and going through long study days.
- Scenario 2: The Casual Social Media User
- Recommendation: Realme C35. The larger screen and decent camera is great for simple social media use.
- Scenario 3: The Mobile Gamer
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S23. It's the only phone that can handle demanding games, with a better screen and speaker setup.
- Scenario 4: The Content Creator
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S23. Its superior camera and video features and software make it far more suitable.
My Choice
For me, the choice is clear: I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S23. While the Realme C35 offers a larger battery and a bigger display for a lower price point, the gulf in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is simply too wide to ignore.
As someone who appreciates a smooth user experience and loves to tinker with photography and videography, the S23's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, superior AMOLED display, and advanced camera features are irresistible. I also appreciate the wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and a much better overall build quality with screen protection. The additional features such as the fingerprint sensor and barometer are also helpful, further adding to the utility of the S23.
While the S23 is significantly pricier, for me, the performance and features it offers are well worth the investment. It’s a phone that's built for power users and tech enthusiasts, providing a user experience that goes far beyond the everyday, which is exactly what I'm looking for.
