Realme C51

Realme C51 Review

Key Features

• Display: 6.74-inch IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 560 nits. The display features a 720 x 1600 resolution with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 262 ppi density, 180Hz touch sampling.
• Processor: Unisoc Tiger T612 (12nm) Octa-core CPU with a Mali-G57 GPU.
• RAM & Storage: Available in 4GB/64GB, 4GB/128GB, and 6GB/256GB configurations with eMMC 5.1 storage.
• Cameras: 50MP main rear camera with a Samsung S5KJN1 sensor and f/1.8 aperture; a secondary 0.8MP depth sensor; and a 5MP front-facing camera with a Samsung S5K5E9 sensor.
• Battery: 5000mAh Li-Polymer battery with 33W fast charging.
• Operating System: Android 13.
• Connectivity: Dual SIM with 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, and USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support.
• Sensors: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass.
• Colors: Available in Mint Green and Carbon Black.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• 90Hz refresh rate display provides smoother visuals compared to standard 60Hz panels.
• Large 6.74-inch display offers an immersive viewing experience.
• 50MP main camera captures detailed images in good lighting.
• 5000mAh battery provides a full day of usage for many users.
• 33W fast charging is a welcome addition in this price segment.
• NFC is included, which is a benefit for contactless payments.
• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick and convenient unlocking.
• Dual SIM support with Dual Standby.

Cons:

• 720p display resolution might appear less sharp than FHD panels.
• The Unisoc T612 chipset is adequate for basic use but may struggle with demanding applications and games.
• The secondary 0.8MP camera is unlikely to add much value to overall image quality.
• eMMC 5.1 storage is slower than more modern UFS storage.
• No SD card expansion support.
• No optical image stabilization (OIS) for the camera.

User Experience

The Realme C51 delivers a usable experience for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and media consumption. The 90Hz display contributes to a smoother feel when navigating the interface. The large screen size is great for watching videos and reading content. However, the lower resolution does impact sharpness, and pixelation is noticeable upon closer inspection. The Unisoc chipset handles basic apps well, but users will experience stutters and longer load times when multitasking or playing graphically intensive games. The 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate usage, and the 33W fast charging gets the phone back up to full quickly. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is responsive and accurately unlocks the device. The camera setup produces decent images in daylight, with reasonable color accuracy and detail. The software is fairly standard Android 13 with Realme’s UI on top, offering a clean interface and familiar features.

Hardware & Design

The Realme C51 measures 167.2mm in height, 76.7mm in width, and 8mm in depth, weighing 186 grams. This makes it a large but manageable device, feeling fairly light despite the large battery. The device uses a plastic build for both the frame and back panel which is expected in this category. It comes in two color options: Mint Green and Carbon Black. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button. The phone uses a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, and there is a standard headphone jack. The internal hardware includes the Unisoc Tiger T612, 4GB/6GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and eMMC 5.1 storage, which has limitations in speed compared to UFS storage. The phone doesn’t have a cooling system.

Conclusion

The Realme C51 is a budget-friendly smartphone with a focus on display, battery life and fast charging. It presents a large screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, a decent primary camera, and a large battery with fast charging. While performance and the screen’s resolution are its limitations, the C51 is a solid option for casual users on a budget who prioritize battery life and a smooth visual experience. The inclusion of NFC also sets it apart from many other phones in this price range. If you are not a heavy gamer or power user, the C51 will likely satisfy basic daily mobile needs.