Realme C25Y

At Alanees Qatar and Startech Store, the premium 4GB+128GB variant retails for QAR 479, while the same model is available at People‘s Telecom Qatar for QAR 529.

Specifications

Feature	Specification
Display	6.5-inch IPS LCD, 720 x 1600 pixels, 270 PPI
Processor	Unisoc T610 Octa-core (2×1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU	Mali-G52
RAM	4GB LPDDR4X
Storage	64GB/128GB UFS 2.1, Expandable up to 256GB
Main Camera	50MP (f/1.8) + 2MP Macro + 2MP B&W Portrait
Selfie Camera	8MP (f/2.0)
Battery	5000mAh with 18W Fast Charging
OS	Android 11 with Realme UI R Edition
Security	Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face unlock
Connectivity	Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0
Dimensions	164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm
Weight	200 grams

 

Design and Build Quality

The Realme C25Y showcases a modern design philosophy with its sleek body and attention to detail. The device features a premium-looking plastic back panel with a unique texture that not only enhances grip but also prevents fingerprint smudges. The rear panel houses a square camera module that adds a contemporary touch to the overall aesthetics. At 9.1mm thickness and weighing 200 grams, the phone feels substantial yet comfortable in hand, thanks to its ergonomic design.

The front of the device sports a 6.5-inch display with minimal bezels and a waterdrop notch housing the selfie camera. The power button and volume rockers are positioned on the right side, while the SIM tray is located on the left. The bottom edge features a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C port, and speaker grille, maintaining a clean and functional layout.

Display Technology

The 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel on the Realme C25Y delivers a vibrant visual experience with its HD+ resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. The screen boasts a screen-to-body ratio of 88.7% and achieves a maximum brightness of 420 nits, ensuring good visibility even under bright sunlight. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, offering decent protection against scratches and minor drops.

The panel supports a standard 60Hz refresh rate and features technologies like Eye Care mode and Dark mode to reduce eye strain during prolonged usage. While it may not match the AMOLED panels found in higher-priced devices, the display quality is more than adequate for everyday use, offering good color reproduction and viewing angles.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Realme C25Y is powered by the Unisoc T610 octa-core processor, manufactured using a 12nm process. This chipset features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8GHz for performance-intensive tasks and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8GHz for power efficiency. The Mali-G52 GPU handles graphics processing, delivering smooth performance in casual gaming and day-to-day tasks.

The device comes with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM, which provides decent multitasking capabilities. The UFS 2.1 storage, available in 64GB and 128GB variants, offers faster read and write speeds compared to eMMC storage found in many budget smartphones. Users can expand storage up to 256GB using a microSD card, ensuring ample space for apps, media, and documents.

Camera System

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the versatile triple camera setup on the Realme C25Y. The primary 50MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture captures detailed photos in various lighting conditions. The camera supports features like AI Scene Recognition, which can identify up to 16 different scenes and optimize settings accordingly. The 2MP macro lens allows for close-up shots up to 4cm, while the 2MP B&W portrait lens assists in capturing artistic portrait shots with natural bokeh effects.

The camera app offers various modes including Night mode, Portrait mode, HDR, Panorama, and Pro mode, giving users creative control over their photography. Video recording capabilities include 1080p at 30fps with electronic image stabilization for steady footage. The 8MP front camera with an f/2.0 aperture handles selfies well, supporting AI Beauty, HDR, and Portrait mode features.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the standout features of the Realme C25Y is its massive 5000mAh battery, which provides exceptional endurance. Under typical usage patterns, including social media browsing, calls, messaging, and occasional gaming, the device easily lasts for two days. The phone supports 18W fast charging through the USB Type-C port, taking approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes for a full charge.

The device includes various power-saving features like Super Power Saving Mode and Sleep Standby Optimization, which help extend battery life when needed. The battery health features in Realme UI help monitor and optimize battery usage, ensuring longevity of the battery capacity over time.

Software and User Interface

The Realme C25Y runs on Android 11 with Realme UI R Edition, offering a clean and intuitive user interface. The custom UI includes useful features like Dark Mode, Digital Wellbeing, App Lock, Private Safe, and Kids Space. The interface is highly customizable, allowing users to modify icons, animations, and system colors according to their preferences.

The device comes with minimal bloatware, and most pre-installed apps can be uninstalled. The system optimization ensures smooth performance even with multiple apps running in the background. Regular security patches and system updates are provided to maintain device security and performance.

Connectivity and Additional Features

In terms of connectivity, the Realme C25Y supports dual 4G VoLTE, ensuring good call quality and data speeds. The device includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS with A-GPS support. The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is quick and accurate, while face unlock provides an additional convenient security option.

The phone retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect their favorite wired headphones. The bottom-firing speaker delivers decent audio quality for media consumption and gaming. The device also supports dual SIM cards with a dedicated microSD card slot, eliminating the need to choose between extra storage and a second SIM.

Comparison with Competitors

When compared to its siblings and competitors in the same price range, the Realme C25Y holds its ground well.

The device offers better value than the Realme C21Y, which features a lower resolution 13MP main camera and slower charging speeds.

The C25Y also improves upon the Realme C12‘s specifications with its superior processor and camera system.

In comparison to other brands, the C25Y competes with devices like the Samsung Galaxy A03s, Nokia G10, and Oppo A16.

The C25Y’s 50MP camera and 18W fast charging give it an edge over many competitors, though some rivals offer better display technology or more premium build quality.

Market Position and Value Proposition

The Realme C25Y positions itself as a compelling budget smartphone in Qatar’s competitive market. Its combination of a capable processor, versatile camera system, and long-lasting battery makes it an attractive option for users seeking reliable performance without breaking the bank.

The device particularly appeals to students, first-time smartphone users, and budget-conscious consumers who prioritize battery life and camera capabilities.

Verdict and Recommendations

For users seeking a reliable budget smartphone with good battery life, decent camera capabilities, and smooth performance, the Realme C25Y presents an excellent choice.

The device successfully balances features and affordability, making it a worthy consideration in Qatar’s sub-QAR 500 smartphone segment. While it may not compete with mid-range or flagship devices in terms of premium features, it delivers where it matters most for its target audience.

The 4GB+128GB variant offers better value for money with its additional storage, making it the recommended choice for most users. However, those with basic usage patterns may find the 4GB+64GB variant sufficient for their needs while saving some money.

Regardless of the variant chosen, the Realme C25Y proves to be a capable daily driver that won’t disappoint its users.