Realme C2 Review: Excellence in Entry-Level Category

Looking for a new budget phone? Check out this Realme C2 review by our team. This is an entry-level phone with the latest ColorOS 6 and Android

As technology has grown and flagship functionality has trickled down, entry-level phones have become quite the value. Luckily, we have the Realme C2 with us, Realme’s latest entry level offering and in this complete review, we will discuss how it stacks up and whether the savings are worth it!

Realme is an up and coming brand that has, like various other new companies, challenged the Android smartphone space by offering great phones for less. Previously, we took a detailed look at Realme 3 which is a step up from Realme C2. However, we are intrigued how a phone cheaper than the Realme 3 performs and is it a better solution than getting a used, older but higher-end device? Let’s discuss!

Realme C2 Review

Here are the tech specs for Realme C2:

  • Network: (GSM / FDD / TDD / WCDMA)
  • Display: 6.1-inch Display (19.5:9, 1560 x 720)
  • Processor: Mediatek P22
  • OS: Android 9.0, ColorOS 6
  • Camera Rear: 13MP f/2.2, 2MP
  • Camera Front: 5MP
  • Connectivity: microUSB, Bluetooth 4.2 and 3.5mm Headphone Jack
  • Memory: 2GB RAM + 16GB Storage / 3GB RAM + 32GB Storage
  • Dimension: 154.3 x 73.7 x 8.5 mm
  • Battery: 4,000mAh

Realme C2 Review: Exterior and Design

Realme C2 Back case

Choosing plastic as the primary material for the exterior, Realme C2 utilizes a Diamond Cut pattern to make the design look unique and fresh. The texture is etched in such a way that it gives off a great polygonal look. Further, there are thick lines that run across which give the phone excellent grip as well. There are two color options, Diamond Blue and Diamond Black. Our unit shipped in the Diamond Blue finish.

Inspecting the phone from the front, this is where Realme C2 is most unique. At this price, the phone offers a 6.1 inch modern display that has minimum bezels, follows a tall aspect ratio and also comes with a teardrop notch. Along with the display, the phone also houses a front earpiece for calls and the front camera as well. There is, however, no notification light built-in.

Realme logo

Moving towards the rear, as we mentioned earlier, the back pattern gives C2 a unique look and is quite grippy to hold. As other brands are going for gloss backs to resemble glass, a textured back surely makes for a great new outlook. Further, there are dual rear cameras as well. Both of the modules are placed in a horizontal fashion rather than vertical. Also, accompanying the cameras is a single-tone flash. Following tradition, C2 also comes with a gold outlining ring on the main lens which is implemented across all Realme phones. Lastly, minimal Realme logo is etched on the bottom left side of the rear.

For each of the sides, Realme C2 comes with an individual power button on the right, volume buttons on the left along with the SIM tray and microUSB plus main speaker on the bottom. The top is empty and there is a single microphone located only at the bottom.

There is one thing missing on the phone and that is a fingerprint scanner. To compensate for that, Realme C2 comes with face unlock which helps and the device also can be used traditionally with a pattern or a passcode. This is something we haven’t used in the last year but it is refreshing to see as we found ourselves totally fine without one. Face unlocking in dim conditions doesn’t work and for that, users have to resort to the pattern / pin method. You can have both face unlock and pin / pattern enabled at once as well.

Realme C2 Review: Internal Hardware and Performance

Realme C2 Review: Excellence in Entry-Level Category 6

– Display

If it was one thing for which we would recommend the Realme C2 then that would be its display. At this price, the display experience is phenomenal. The toned-down tear-drop notch and minimal bezels really do make this phone feel a lot more expensive and premium than it actually is! Further, the display technology itself is commendable.

The panel is IPS LCD with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio and an HD+ screen resolution of 1560×720. While the text isn’t quite crisp as higher-end displays but then again, for this price, nothing to complain about. The colors are strikingly sharp and vivid which is partly thanks to the software which handles color balance and temperatures.

– Processor, Storage and RAM

For any entry-level device, performance takes the most hit to bring the costs down. However, for Realme C2, it is hardly the case. Sporting MediaTek’s Helio P22 processor, it is a nice balance between performance and price. Further, paired with 3GB of RAM (also available in 2GB), it performed really well. For day to day tasks like using all the social apps such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, the phone handled everything without a hitch. Even more, we tested out high-end games such as Hitman Sniper and it worked great! It is easy to lose perspective with high-end flagship processors as they offer such great performance but at the end of the day, you are barely tapping into half of that for average use and that is exactly why lower end processors work equally well — for average tasks that is. Attached ahead are benchmarks we ran:

For storage, users can opt to get either 16GB or 32GB. As the phone has dual SIM slot and a dedicated tertiary expansion slot for up-to 256GB of microSD card, storage shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you opt for 16GB, you also get lower RAM (2GB) so keep that in mind.

– Battery

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Thanks to the high capacity 4,000 mAh battery of Realme C2, efficient Mediatek P22 processor and great software, the phone is easily capable of going without a charge for 2 full days! Yes, as surprising as it sounds, the C2 is actually capable of catering to all your needs for 2 complete days. In our tests, we kept cellular data, WiFi and Bluetooth on at all times along with display on auto-brightness. Further, we used the phone extensively to run benchmarks along with day-to-day use as our daily phone yet still the C2 survived 2 days! An easy recommend from us if you are looking for amazing battery endurance.

Realme C2 Review: Camera

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For years, the only true downside of an entry-level phone was its camera. But, for Realme C2’s setup, there’s a lot of good to say. Despite working with a 13MP f/2.2 aperture main camera, the C2 managed some great shots. This result is mainly due to Realme’s software. Relying on ColorOS 6 and its AI system, the phone is able to process photos quite well. Further, Chroma Boost is a big help to boost colors and make photos even more vivid. For the price, C2 offers a great camera experience. However, it struggles in low-light and has a slightly slow shutter which all can be forgiven for its price. Here are some of the beautiful shots we took from our unit:

Also, it is important to mention, in its category Realme C2 is the only phone that offers 80fps slow-motion recording at 480p. Further, the C2 offers dual cameras and the secondary lens is there for better bokeh shots. For the front side, there is a 5MP sensor which again utilizes AI for some great selfies and has bokeh built-in as well.

Realme C2 Review: Software

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Making use of Realme’s background with Oppo, the C2 comes with latest ColorOS 6 software that is based on Android 9.0 Pie. Optimized, feature-packed and functional are the correct words to describe the whole software experience with ColorOS 6 on Realme C2. Starting with the main system, the skin is so optimized that there isn’t any sort of slow-down between navigating screens or using system apps. Further, there is loads of importance given to security throughout which establishes a sense trust among the user. For example, there is a secure keyboard built-in which can be used to type in passwords, there is an App Locking feature and also a Private Safe as well to store data.

In terms of features, there isn’t anything missing from Realme C2’s software. Just like much expensive flagships, users can choose between gesture navigation or multiple layout touch buttons to manage the phone. A dedicated Game Space is provided to boost performance for games and offer an uninterrupted experience. For modifying, there is a complete Theme store available. All in all, a complete, feature-packed experience!

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Taimur Akmal
Taimur Akmal

Devoted writer, enjoys developing code. Appreciates excellent food, exceptional coffee and great company. He is also into sublime design and nicely built cars.

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