Realme C65

Realme C65 Review

Key Features

The Realme C65, launched on April 1, 2024, is a mid-range smartphone featuring a 6.67-inch 90Hz IPS LCD display, powered by a Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, and running on Android 14. It offers a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP front-facing camera, coupled with a 5000mAh battery supporting 45W fast charging. The device also includes NFC functionality and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Pros & Cons

• Pros:

  • Smooth 90Hz display, enhancing scrolling and animations.
  • Large 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging capability.
  • NFC support for contactless payments and other functions.
  • Android 14 out of the box.
  • Expandable storage options via microSD (although not explicitly listed in available specs).
  • Side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
  • Dual SIM Dual Standby capability.
  • Modern USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.

• Cons:

  • Display resolution is relatively low at 720 x 1604 pixels (264 ppi).
  • Mediatek Helio G85 chipset is a budget processor, limiting performance in demanding tasks.
  • Camera setup is basic, lacking a dedicated ultrawide lens and optical stabilization.
  • The device is primarily constructed with plastic.
  • No ingress protection rating is specified (water/dust resistance).
  • The device has limited storage options.
  • No display HDR support.

User Experience

The Realme C65 aims to offer a balanced user experience with its focus on essential features. The 90Hz refresh rate makes the interface and everyday usage feel smoother. The inclusion of Android 14 is a definite plus, providing the latest software features and security updates. The 5000mAh battery ensures a full day's usage, with the 45W fast charging a welcomed addition for quick top-ups. However, the lower resolution screen might be noticeable for users accustomed to higher-resolution displays. Performance is adequate for everyday tasks and light gaming, but heavy apps and demanding games might struggle. The camera performance is acceptable in good lighting conditions, but image quality might degrade in low light.

Hardware & Design

The Realme C65 measures 164.6 mm in height, 76.1 mm in width, and 7.6 mm in depth, weighing 185 grams. The phone's construction is primarily plastic, available in "Purple Nebula" and "Black Milky Way" color options. The 6.67-inch display has a water drop notch design and is protected by a 2.5D curved glass screen. The device houses a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a USB Type-C 2.0 port, and a dual-SIM card slot. Internally, the phone is powered by the Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, paired with an Octa-core CPU (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) and a Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. The device comes in 6GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB RAM/storage configurations, although this is not confirmed in the provided data, a 6GB/128GB (International) version is referenced. The device has an Antutu score of 225154 (v10).

Camera System

The rear camera system consists of a 50MP primary camera (Samsung S5KJN1 sensor, f/1.8 aperture, 0.64µm pixels, 1/2.76" sensor size), and a 2MP depth sensor (GalaxyCore GC02M1 sensor, f/2.4 aperture, 1.75 µm pixels, 1/5" sensor size). The front-facing camera features an 8MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. The camera app features include digital zoom, autofocus, touch focus, PDAF, geotagging, panorama, HDR, face detection, and several scene modes. The phone supports 1080p video recording at 30fps. Slow motion video is available at 120fps.

Connectivity and Battery

The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 LE, and GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, and Galileo. It has 4G LTE support along with 3G and 2G network bands. The 5000mAh Li-Polymer battery is non-removable and supports 45W fast charging via USB Type-C. The USB port supports mass storage and USB OTG.

Conclusion

The Realme C65 is a budget-friendly device that balances essential features with cost. Its 90Hz display, fast charging, NFC capability, and Android 14 make it an attractive option for users looking for a value-oriented smartphone. The device's drawbacks include its lower screen resolution and modest processor. The camera is suitable for everyday shots, but it is not intended for high-end photography. The Realme C65 is well-suited for casual users who prioritize battery life, a smooth display, and essential features over cutting-edge performance.