Alright, let's dive deep into this comparison between the Realme C35 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It's a classic David vs. Goliath matchup, and as always, the devil is in the details. Let's break it down.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Realme C35 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-02-14 | 2024-01-24 | The S24 Ultra is nearly two years newer; expect more advanced features and longer software support. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones; no folding screens here. |
| Dimensions | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm, 189g | 162.3 × 79 × 8.6 mm, 232g | C35 is slightly taller and noticeably lighter; S24 Ultra is wider and thicker, impacting one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.8" | S24 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, providing a bit more viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1440x3120 | S24 Ultra has significantly higher resolution; expect a much sharper, more detailed image. |
| Pixel Density | 401 PPI | 505 PPI | S24 Ultra has higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably sharper display. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | C35 uses LCD; we are missing the technology used in the S24, but Samsung usually goes for AMOLED. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S24 Ultra offers smoother animations, scrolling, and gaming with its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24 Ultra is dramatically brighter, making it much easier to view outdoors in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24 Ultra uses a much more powerful and efficient chip; expect significantly better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 1,814,869 | S24 Ultra has exponentially higher benchmark scores, translating to much faster app loading and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 750 | S24 Ultra's GPU is vastly superior, for a significant advantage in gaming and graphics processing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 200MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3", 1.00 µm pixels | S24 Ultra has a much higher resolution and larger sensor for better detail and low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 50MP, f/2.4, 1/1.56", 1.00 µm pixels | S24 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto + portrait camera for optical zoom and enhanced portrait mode. | |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 12MP, f/2.2 | S24 Ultra has a higher-resolution selfie camera; C35 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10MP, f/3.4, 1/3.52", 1.12 µm pixels | S24 Ultra has an additional dedicated telephoto lens for greater zoom flexibility. | |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm pixels | S24 Ultra has a dedicated ultrawide lens for a wider field of view. | |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | C35 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. | |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.8 | C35 has a black & white sensor for artistic monochrome photography. | |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps | S24 Ultra offers much higher video recording capabilities, including 8K and slow-motion at various framerates. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 144, Photo: 144, Video: 137 | S24 Ultra has excellent photo and video capabilities, as shown by its DXOMark scores. | |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have a 5000mAh battery, but the S24 Ultra has a more efficient chip which could lead to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 18W fast charging | 45W fast charging | S24 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass, Reverse, 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse | S24 Ultra offers bypass charging, reverse charging, as well as wireless charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | S24 Ultra ships with a much more recent Android version; expect longer software support and more recent features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6E | S24 Ultra has Wi-Fi 6E, offering faster wireless speeds and better performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR | 5.3 LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP, ANT+, APT-x, LDAC, SBC | S24 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version and supports additional codecs and profiles for higher-quality audio streaming. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | S24 Ultra supports more satellite systems, offering more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | S24 Ultra supports eSIM, offering more flexibility in carrier management. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64 GB or 128 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB or 1024 GB | S24 Ultra provides significantly more storage space for media, apps, and data. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB | S24 Ultra has much more RAM, enabling better multitasking and overall smoothness. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers | The S24 Ultra has clearer audio thanks to the stereo speakers and noise cancelling microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | C35 features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor; Provides basic biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | S24 Ultra has Corning Gorilla Glass Armor to protect against scratches and damage, while protection on C35 is unknown |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S24 Ultra adds fingerprint, barometer, Hall and geomagnetic sensors, suitable for advanced features. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35:
- Strengths: The Realme C35 is positioned as a budget-friendly option, focusing on delivering essential features at an affordable price point. Its lightweight design and decent 50MP camera are highlights within its price range.
- Competitive Advantages: The C35's main selling point is its low cost, appealing to users who prioritize affordability over cutting-edge performance.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: The C35 makes significant compromises in performance, display quality, and overall feature set to meet its budget target. Its older processor, limited storage, and basic screen severely restrict its capabilities. The lack of screen protection or high brightness is also concerning.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Strengths: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is an all-out flagship phone, packed with the latest and greatest technology. It boasts a top-tier display, a powerful processor, a versatile camera system, and a suite of advanced features.
- Competitive Advantages: The S24 Ultra excels in every aspect, from performance to photography, making it the superior choice for power users and tech enthusiasts.
- Trade-offs/Limitations: Its primary limitation is its high price tag. Additionally, its larger size and weight may be less appealing to some users who prefer a more compact device.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35:
- Best Suited For: This phone is ideal for budget-conscious users who need a basic device for everyday tasks like calling, texting, browsing, and light social media. It may also serve as a secondary or backup device.
- Use Cases: Basic communication, casual media consumption, and as a first smartphone for students or the elderly.
- Price-to-Value: The Realme C35 offers good value for its price, but it sacrifices a lot in terms of performance and features.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Best Suited For: This phone is built for tech enthusiasts, content creators, gamers, and anyone who demands the absolute best in mobile technology. It's suitable for users who want a premium experience and can make the investment.
- Use Cases: Professional photography and videography, heavy mobile gaming, high-performance multitasking, creative work, and enjoying premium media.
- Price-to-Value: The S24 Ultra is a premium device with a high price tag, but it offers an exceptional experience, especially for users who leverage all of its capabilities.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions that will help you choose:
- What is your budget? If you're on a tight budget, the C35 is likely your only option. If you're willing to invest heavily in your smartphone experience, the S24 Ultra is the clear choice.
- What are your primary uses? For basic communication and light tasks, the C35 will suffice. For heavy use, demanding applications, or professional quality photography, the S24 Ultra is necessary.
- Do you value the best possible specs or the most value for money? The C35 prioritizes value, making compromises on performance, display and camera. The S24 prioritizes the best experience, with the best specifications.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If you only need a phone for calls, texts, and very light browsing, the Realme C35 is an acceptable choice.
- Casual User: If you want decent performance for daily tasks and media consumption without breaking the bank, you may need to look in-between these two devices.
- Power User/Tech Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a no-brainer, especially if you value top-tier performance, photography, and software features.
- Professional Creator: The Samsung S24 Ultra is much better suited, with it's significantly better camera capabilities and video recording capabilities.
- Gamer: The Samsung S24 Ultra has a much superior processor and GPU for gaming.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra without a second thought. While the Realme C35 serves a purpose for a basic and budget-friendly phone, the S24 Ultra is in a completely different league. As a tech journalist, I want access to the very best features, the sharpest display, and the most powerful performance, and the S24 Ultra provides all of this. The dramatically better camera is a huge plus for documenting my experiences, and the high-refresh-rate screen is key for smooth use. I value a phone that can keep up with my workflow, and the S24 Ultra is clearly the winner in this case. It’s an investment, but one that provides a superior overall experience.
