Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Realme C35 and the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro. I'm putting on my tech journalist hat, ready to break down the specs and see what they mean for you in the real world.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the technical specifications of both phones, with a focus on their practical implications for daily usage:
| Feature | Realme C35 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm | The Realme is a bit taller and wider, but both are the same thickness. The Poco is slightly more compact and may feel better in smaller hands. |
| Weight | 189g | 179.5g | The Poco is noticeably lighter (about 10g difference), which can improve comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.43" | The Realme has a slightly larger screen, which might be preferred for media consumption or gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Both offer crisp, full HD+ visuals. The difference is negligible, so sharpness is similar |
| Pixel Density | 401 PPI | 409 PPI | Very similar pixel density. Both screens are sharp, but you won't likely notice much difference. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Poco's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. It's more power-efficient with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Poco's 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother, which enhances the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12nm) | The Poco's Helio G96 chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 438,700 | The Poco has a much higher benchmark score, demonstrating its superior performance capabilities. The Poco is almost 90% faster than the Realme. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Poco's dual-core GPU is better equipped for handling graphics-intensive tasks and gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 (1/2.76" sensor) | Both have similar main cameras, but the Poco has a slightly larger sensor, which can mean better low-light performance, but it also depends on how each software process image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 (Sony Exmor) | 16MP, f/2.45 (1/3.06" sensor) | The Poco has a higher-resolution selfie camera with a smaller sensor, while the Realme has a wider aperture. Each choice can be advantageous in different scenarios. |
| Wide Angle Camera | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 (1/2.8" sensor) | The Poco has a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing broader scenes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Realme has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Camera | 2MP, f/2.8 | N/A | The Realme has a dedicated black & white camera for artistic effects. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps; No Slow motion | 1080p@30fps; Slow motion 60 fps | Both offer standard 1080p video, but the Poco offers slow motion at 60fps, which is twice that of the Realme. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both have identical battery capacities, suggesting comparable battery life, assuming similar software and usage patterns. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The Poco charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both phones run on Android 11. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac + Dual Band, Direct, Display | Poco has additional Wi-Fi features. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.1 LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | The Poco has a newer version of Bluetooth with higher fidelity support for Bluetooth audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | Not specified | The Realme offers 64GB or 128GB, storage options while the Poco storage capacity is not specified. |
| RAM | 4GB | Not specified | The Realme offers 4GB of RAM, while the Poco specs are not specified. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | The Poco has superior audio features including Stereo Speakers for better audio quality and immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones feature side-mounted fingerprint scanners for quick and easy unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Poco's screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, which is a plus for durability. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The Poco has additional biometric sensors, offering slightly more advanced functionality. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35
- Strengths: The Realme C35 offers a slightly larger display and a dedicated macro lens and a black & white camera, along with 128 GB storage option.
- Competitive Advantages: It may be a better choice for users who prefer a larger screen, and the macro lens and a black & white lens camera gives them more flexibility.
- Trade-offs: The C35 lags significantly behind in performance, display quality, and charging speeds. It also lacks a wide-angle camera.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
- Strengths: The Poco M4 Pro features a superior AMOLED display, significantly better performance with the Helio G96 chipset, faster 33W charging, and a wide-angle lens camera. It also boasts better audio quality with stereo speakers.
- Competitive Advantages: It is ideal for users who want a more immersive viewing experience, better performance for gaming and multitasking, and faster charging.
- Trade-offs: It has a slightly smaller screen compared to the C35, does not offer a macro lens and a black and white lens, and does not have storage options specified.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35 is best for:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who prioritize affordability above all else.
- Basic users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and light social media.
- Macro lens enthusiasts: Users who want the creative flexibility a macro lens can provide.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is best for:
- Power users: Individuals who demand smoother performance for multitasking and gaming.
- Media lovers: Those who prioritize a vibrant display for videos and movies.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who value versatility, wide-angle photography, and better low-light performance.
- Users who value premium features: Users who want a smoother experience and faster charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help users decide:
How important is screen quality? If a vibrant and immersive display is a top priority, go for the Poco M4 Pro with its AMOLED screen. If a standard IPS LCD is sufficient, the Realme C35 will suffice.
How much performance do you need? If you plan to use your phone for gaming, resource-heavy apps, and smooth multitasking, the Poco M4 Pro's more powerful processor is crucial. If your usage is basic, the Realme C35 will work.
How much do you value charging speed? If quick charging is a must-have feature to minimize downtime, the Poco M4 Pro is the better option with its 33W fast charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: "I need a reliable phone for social media and watching YouTube." Recommendation: The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro offers a superior viewing experience.
Scenario 2: "I want a secondary phone for photography with a dedicated macro lens, and a phone that's very affordable." Recommendation: The Realme C35 is a better pick in this scenario.
Scenario 3: "I play games on my phone and want a responsive, fast experience." Recommendation: The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is the clear winner, due to its significantly better performance.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I would go with the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro. Here's why:
- The AMOLED display: As someone who consumes a lot of media on my phone, the richer colors and deeper blacks make a significant difference.
- Performance: The difference in benchmark scores is substantial, and that translates to a much smoother overall experience in day to day use.
- The wide angle camera: For the versatility that I like in mobile photography, the wide-angle camera is a major advantage.
- Charging speed: I value the convenience of getting back up to full battery in a shorter amount of time.
While the Realme C35 is a decent phone, the Poco M4 Pro offers better value for the investment and a much more premium user experience overall. It simply offers more bang for the buck in key areas for the modern smartphone user.
