The Realme C53 price is a budget-focused smartphone that boasts the segment’s first 108MP camera, setting it apart from the competition. On top of that, the phone is equipped with a fluid 90Hz refresh rate display, a long-lasting 5,000mAh batter. And a convenient side-mounted fingerprint scanner. With storage options of up to 128GB and more exciting features, the Realme C53 shines on paper. In our review, we delve into how it performs in real-life scenarios and, most importantly, whether it can outperform its rivals, including the POCO C55 (review) and Moto G13. Read on to find out.
Verdict
The Realme C53 feels just about right for its asking price of under Rs 10,000. It provides adequate performance for basic everyday activities and even outperforms its competitors in benchmarking scores. The device boasts respectable battery life and a good display. However, the cameras on the device fall a tad short of expectations.
Realme C53 Full Specifications
| Brand | Realme |
| Model | C53 |
| Price in India | ₹8,798 |
| Release date | 19th July 2023 |
| Launched in India | Yes |
| Form factor | Touchscreen |
| Dimensions (mm) | 167.20 x 76.70 x 7.99 |
| Weight (g) | 186.00 |
| Battery capacity (mAh) | 5000 |
| Removable battery | No |
| Fast charging | 33W Fast Charging |
| Wireless charging | No |
| Colours | Champion Gold, Mighty Black |
Camera
| Rear camera | 108-megapixel |
| No. of Rear Cameras | 2 |
| Front camera | 8-megapixel |
| No. of Front Cameras | 1 |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| GPS | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v 5.00 |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB Type-C | Yes |
| Headphones | 3.5mm |
| Number of SIMs | 2 |
Hardware
| Processor | octa-core |
| RAM | 4GB, 6GB |
| Internal storage | 64GB, 128GB |
| Expandable storage | Yes |
| Expandable storage type | microSD |
| Expandable storage up to (GB) | 2000 |
| Dedicated microSD slot | Yes |
Design and display
- The Realme C53 design may look familiar to those who have been keeping track of the brand’s smartphones. The handset is fashioned out of plastic and features a dual-tone design at the back, with the top portion being glossy and the bottom portion having a matte finish. I received the Realme C53 review unit in Champion Gold, which is too glittery for my taste. Personally, I would have preferred the Champion Black colour variant.
- Nevertheless, the handset is fingerprint and smudge-resistant, except for the top shiny portion, which also houses three huge camera rings for 108MP+B&W sensors and an LED flash. The camera rings protrude quite a bit from the surface, causing the device to wobble while typing on it on a flat surface.
- That said, the device is quite ergonomic to hold, with its flat edges and a relatively lightweight design weighing 189 grams. As for the I/O. The Realme smartphone features a USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack, along with a speaker grille, at the bottom edge. The fingerprint scanner is implanted in the power button on the right spine. It may not be fast, but the fingerprint scanner is quite accurate in unlocking the device.
- As for the viewing experience, the Realme C53 sports a 6.74-inch LCD panel with HD+ resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. While the display is not exactly bezel-less, it still boasts a respectable 90 percent screen-to-body ratio, especially for a budget smartphone. The display quality is satisfying for enjoying multimedia content indoors.
Performance and software
On the performance front, the Realme C53 is equipped with an entry-level Unisoc T612 SoC paired with 4GB or 6GB RAM. Interestingly enough, the 6GB RAM variant has 64GB storage onboard, whereas the 4GB RAM option is available with 128GB storage. Both storage options are user-expandable via a micro SD card for which there is a dedicate slot in the phone.
The device performs well for basic usage, including communication, social media browsing, and streaming. While it can handle multitasking and gaming to some extent, the overall experience is average. Unfortunately, when playing BGMI with its maximum HD graphics and high frame rate settings, noticeable lag and stutter issues arise.
Final verdict
The Realme C53 is a budget-focused smartphone, just like any other device in its segment. It could do with some improvements, especially in terms of cameras where it boasts the largest sensor among its rivals. While the battery life is impressive, and the display is respectable, the device’s performance tends to feel sluggish when handling anything beyond basic tasks.
Taking everything into account, recommending the 6GB RAM variant of the Realme C53 becomes quite challenging, especially considering its price in India at Rs 10,999. For the same budget, there are better options available, including Realme’s own C55 (review) smartphone. Which comes with twice the storage, a better chipset, and a 33W fast charging solution instead of 18W. However, if you happen to be a dedicated Realme fan with strict budget constraints, the Realme C55’s 4GB RAM variant might be a suitable choice. Priced at Rs 9,999 in India, this variant provides reasonable performance and features within its price range.
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