Realme C3 first impressions: Some noteworthy improvements over Realme C2

Realme's recently-launched budget phone Realme C3 has brought some notable hardware and software upgrades to the Realme C2.

Chinese smartphone brand Realme recently launched the Realme C3 budget smartphone, with some notable software and hardware upgrades when compared with the Realme C2. At a starting price of Rs 6,999 for the 3GB+32GB storage configuration, and Rs 7,999 for the 4GB + 64GB variant, the Realme C3 comes with MediaTek's Helio G70 Processor chipset, 6.5-inch mini-drop full screen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and a whopping 5,000-mAh battery.

Realme C3 runs the new Realme UI on top of the Android 10-based ColorOS 7.

The phone has a dual-camera module at the back, with a 12MP primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The phone also has a 5MP selfie camera with features like Chroma Boost, slow motion video, HDR mode, and Panorama selfie.

The Realme C3 comes in 3 GB and 4 GB RAM and 32 GB and 64 GB storage variants. The phone also supports dual sim and has a USB port for charging, besides a 3.5 mm jack and speaker at the bottom.

The phone brings some major upgrades to the Realme C2. It has a 6.5-inch mini-drop display, compared with the predecessor’s a 6.1-inch HD-plus dewdrop display. While the Realme C2 had MediaTek Helio P22 chipset, the C3 comes with MediaTek's Helio G70 chipset. In terms of battery, the C2 had 4,000mAh, and the C3 has a 5,000mAh battery. Also, Realme has done away with the diamond-cut design seen in the previous phone; the C3 comes with a back panel that is resistant to smudges and fingerprints.

The Realme C3 is available in Blazing Red and Frozen Blue colours. The first sale of the Realme C3 is scheduled for February 14 at noon (IST).

terms of size and weight, the Realme C3 is easy to handle. The volume and power buttons are well within reach for single-hand use. So far, the phone comes across as a great improvement over the Realme C2, but it remains to be seen if it can be a threat to other phones in the price range.

So far, we liked the overall look and performance, however, it will be too early to pass a verdict.

We will soon gauge the Realme C3’s performance on several important parameters in our full review.

Realme 3 will be Flipkart-exclusive: To be launched at noon today

Along with the Realme 3, the company might also unveil the Realme 3 Pro, which was recently teased by the company on Twitter.

Chinese smartphone maker Realme will launch the Realme 3 phone in India on Monday. The company has been teasing the device on its social media platforms, confirming some of the features and specifications. Interestingly, a recent tweet also hints at the Realme 3 Pro edition, which might launch with the Realme 3.

Besides a gradient design, which has been part of most Realme devices, the Realme 3 will be powered by a MediaTek Helio P70 system-on-chip (SoC) and a 4,230 mAh battery. This SoC is built on TSMC’s 12NM FinFET technology and features an octa-core set up, which includes four ARM Cortex-A73 cores of a maximum operating frequency of 2.1GHz and four ARM Cortex-A53 cores of a maximum operating frequency of 2.0GHz.

The SoC has a dedicated ARM Mali-G72 MP3 graphic processing unit to handle graphics. The SoC also supports artificial intelligence (AI) computing, suggesting the Realme 3 would use it at least to enhance the phone’s imaging.

Any guesses? pic.twitter.com/AAHoCvUf9w

— Realme (@realmemobiles) February 27, 2019

The Flipkart-exclusive phone would feature a waterdrop-shaped notch screen on the front and a starry gradient design on the back. Besides a rear mounted fingerprint sensor, the phone is expected to sport a dual camera set-up at the back. Though the phone would be powered by a healthy 4,230 mAh battery, it is to be seen if it is capable of charging fast.

Make your life bright and colourful with #realme3. #shotonrealme #PowerYourStyle #DualCamera pic.twitter.com/zSmtyLIT5P

— Realme (@realmemobiles) February 28, 2019

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