Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Realme C35 and the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro. As a tech journalist, I always aim to cut through the marketing jargon and focus on how these phones actually perform in real life. So, let’s get started!
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Realme C35 | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm | 161.1 x 75 x 8 mm | Poco M6 Pro is slightly smaller, making it a bit more pocketable and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 189g | 179g | Poco M6 Pro is a bit lighter, which could make a difference during long usage. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both have standard builds, but the Poco M6 Pro has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better screen protection. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Virtually identical screen sizes, negligible real-world difference. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 | 1080 x 2400 | Nearly the same sharpness; both are good for HD content. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 401 | 395 | Both displays are crisp and clear, with a similar pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. The Poco M6 Pro screen will look significantly better. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz offers much smoother scrolling and animations; a noticeably better visual experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1800 nits | Poco M6 Pro has much better outdoor visibility and can be seen easily under bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra | Helio G99 Ultra is significantly faster and more powerful, translating to smoother app usage, quicker multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 230,726 | 450,000 | Poco M6 Pro has a huge performance advantage for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco M6 Pro provides superior graphics performance, making a difference in gaming and other GPU-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 50MP (f/1.8) + 2MP Macro (f/2.4)+ 2MP Black and white (f/2.8) | 64MP (f/1.79, 1/2" sensor) + 8MP (f/2.2) Wide Angle+Macro + 2MP (f/2.45) Portrait | Poco M6 Pro likely to produce sharper, more detailed photos with a better primary sensor and added features such as wide angle. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP (f/2.0) | 16MP (f/n/a, 1/3.06" sensor) | The Poco M6 Pro has higher resolution for better selfies. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@60fps with EIS, 4k@30fps | Poco M6 Pro can record in 4k and will produce smoother videos with EIS. |
| Stabilisation | No | Yes, EIS & OIS | Poco M6 Pro offers better stabilisation, resulting in smoother, less shaky video recording |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both offer the same capacity, expect similar usage, a full day. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Poco M6 Pro will charge significantly faster, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Neither phone has a removable battery |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Poco M6 Pro has a much newer version of Android out of the box |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual Band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MIMO | Poco M6 Pro has more advanced Wifi features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2, APT-X, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Poco M6 Pro has newer Bluetooth with more codecs for better audio support. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6, 8, or 12 GB | Poco M6 Pro has much more RAM options, translating to better multitasking and smoother app switching |
| Internal Storage | 64 GB or 128 GB | 128, 256, or 512 GB | The Poco M6 Pro has much higher storage options for those who need lots of space. |
| Audio | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco M6 Pro has a much better audio experience. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensors with differences in implementation. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Poco M6 Pro offers better screen protection. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither has expandable storage, but the Poco M6 Pro has much higher options for onboard storage. |
2. Key Insights
Realme C35
- Strengths: The Realme C35 offers a decent screen resolution and battery capacity within a lower price range. The triple camera setup can cater to most standard shooting needs.
- Competitive Advantage: Its main edge lies in being a budget-friendly option for users with very basic needs.
- Trade-offs: It has a slower processor, a less impressive screen, lacks advanced features, and its older software may mean it won’t get as many updates.
Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro
- Strengths: The Poco M6 Pro boasts a superior AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a much more powerful processor, significantly faster charging, and a more versatile camera system. The increased RAM and storage options also make it a more future-proof device.
- Competitive Advantage: It has a superior display, and overall better performance in almost every single aspect.
- Trade-offs: The only disadvantage may be its slightly higher price point compared to the Realme C35.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Realme C35: Ideal for users on a very tight budget with basic smartphone needs, like casual browsing, messaging, and basic social media. It's suited for those who prioritize affordability over high-end performance and cutting-edge features.
- Use Case: First smartphone for kids or a backup phone.
Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro: Perfect for users looking for a more well-rounded smartphone with a much better display, strong performance, and a better overall experience. It’s great for media consumption, gaming, and photography.
- Use Case: Mid-range user wanting a great all-rounder, or for someone who streams videos, plays games, and takes a lot of photos.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- How important is display quality to you? If you prioritize vibrant visuals, deep blacks, and smoother scrolling, the Poco M6 Pro is the clear winner with its AMOLED display and 120Hz refresh rate.
- What is your budget? If budget is extremely tight and you need a phone for basic tasks, the Realme C35 is cheaper. If you can spend a little bit more, the difference in specs between the two is so large that the extra cost is well worth it with the Poco M6 Pro.
- How important is performance, fast charging, and good software support? If you need a phone for gaming, multi-tasking, or you care about software updates, the Poco M6 Pro has a much more powerful processor and more up-to-date software. Also it charges very quickly with 67w fast charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If the budget is the primary concern, the Realme C35 will do the job. But be warned, you will be making a lot of compromises when compared to the Poco M6 Pro.
- Scenario 2: Media Lover: The Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro is much better for you here with its AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and Dolby Atmos audio.
- Scenario 3: Gamer: The Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro’s superior chipset and GPU make it significantly better for gaming.
- Scenario 4: Casual User: If you want a casual user phone and don't care much about high-performance or advanced features, then the Realme C35 is an option, though I would still recommend the Poco M6 Pro for the slightly extra cost due to how much better of a phone it is.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were to choose between these two, I would absolutely go with the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro. The difference in performance, display quality, and overall experience is so significant that the extra cost is justified. As a tech journalist, I often find myself juggling multiple apps, consuming media, and capturing photos, and the Poco M6 Pro would handle all of these tasks with ease.
The 120Hz AMOLED display alone is a huge selling point for me – it makes everything feel much smoother and more enjoyable. The faster charging is also a massive bonus for my on-the-go lifestyle. While the Realme C35 is a decent budget option, the Poco M6 Pro offers such a leap in functionality and user experience that it’s easily the better choice.
