Realme C3

The Realme C3 has established itself as a compelling budget smartphone option in the Qatari market, with the base 3GB/32GB variant priced at QAR 469. For those seeking more storage, the 4GB/64GB variant is available at QAR 529.

Specifications

Feature	Specification
Display Type	6.5-inch IPS LCD, HD+ (720 x 1600 pixels)
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Processor	MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm)
GPU	Mali-G52 2EEMC2
RAM Options	3GB/4GB LPDDR4X
Storage Options	32GB/64GB eMMC 5.1
Expandable Storage	Up to 256GB (dedicated slot)
Rear Camera Setup	12MP Primary (f/1.8), 2MP Portrait (f/2.4)
Front Camera	5MP (f/2.4)
Battery	5000mAh Li-Po
Charging	10W Standard Charging
Operating System	Android 10, Realme UI 1.0
Dimensions	164.4 x 75 x 9 mm
Weight	195 grams
Colors	Frozen Blue, Blazing Red

 

Design and Build Quality

The Realme C3 showcases a modern design philosophy with its “Sunrise Design” pattern, creating a distinctive visual appeal that sets it apart in the budget segment. The smartphone features a durable plastic build with a textured back panel that not only enhances grip but also effectively resists fingerprints and smudges.

The device maintains a comfortable form factor despite housing a large 5000mAh battery, measuring 164.4 x 75 x 9 mm and weighing 195 grams.

The front of the device is dominated by a 6.5-inch display with minimal bezels and a water-drop notch housing the front camera. The power button and volume rockers are positioned on the right side, while the triple-slot SIM tray is located on the left. The bottom edge houses the micro-USB port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and speaker grille. The build quality is robust for its price point, though it doesn’t feature any official IP rating for water resistance.

Display Technology

The 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel on the Realme C3 delivers a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels (HD+), resulting in a pixel density of 270 PPI. The display features a 20:9 aspect ratio and achieves a screen-to-body ratio of 89.8%. While not the sharpest panel in its class, it offers decent visibility under direct sunlight with a maximum brightness of 480 nits.

The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, providing reasonable protection against scratches and minor drops. Color reproduction is natural, and viewing angles are satisfactory for daily use. The screen supports features like Dark Mode and Eye Care Mode, which help reduce eye strain during prolonged usage.

Performance and Gaming

Under the hood, the Realme C3 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G70 chipset, built on a 12nm process. This octa-core processor features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz for performance tasks and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.7 GHz for efficiency. The Mali-G52 2EEMC2 GPU handles graphics processing, making the device capable of running popular mobile games at medium settings.

The device comes in two memory configurations: 3GB RAM with 32GB storage and 4GB RAM with 64GB storage. The LPDDR4X RAM ensures smooth multitasking, while the eMMC 5.1 storage provides decent read and write speeds. Storage can be expanded up to 256GB via the dedicated microSD card slot.

Camera System

The Realme C3’s camera setup consists of a dual-rear camera system and a single front camera. The main 12MP sensor features an f/1.8 aperture and supports PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus). It’s accompanied by a 2MP portrait lens with an f/2.4 aperture for depth sensing. The camera app offers various modes including Portrait, Night, Expert, Time-lapse, and Slo-mo.

The rear cameras can record 1080p videos at 30fps, while the 5MP front camera with f/2.4 aperture handles selfies and video calls. The camera system includes AI-enhanced features like Chroma Boost, which optimizes color and contrast in photos, and AI Beauty mode for portrait shots.

Battery Life and Charging

One of the strongest selling points of the Realme C3 is its massive 5000mAh battery. The combination of the energy-efficient processor and HD+ display results in exceptional battery life. Under typical usage patterns, including calls, messaging, social media, and occasional gaming, the device can easily last for two days.

The device supports 10W standard charging through its micro-USB port. While not the fastest charging solution, it can fully charge the battery in about 3 hours. The device also features several battery optimization modes, including Super Power Saving Mode and App Quick Freeze, to extend battery life further.

Software and Features

The Realme C3 runs on Android 10 with Realme UI 1.0 out of the box. The custom interface offers a near-stock Android experience with additional features and customization options. The UI includes features like Dark Mode, Digital Wellbeing, Game Space, and Smart Sidebar for quick access to frequently used apps and features.

The device supports dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and FM Radio. The face unlock feature works reasonably well in good lighting conditions, though there’s no fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.

Comparison with Siblings

When compared to its siblings, the Realme C3 holds its ground well. The Realme C15 offers a larger 6000mAh battery and quad-camera setup but comes with the less powerful Helio G35 processor.

The C25Y features a better 50MP main camera and 18W fast charging but costs more. The C21Y provides similar specifications to the C3 but with an updated design and slightly improved camera features.

Market Competition

In the Qatari market, the Realme C3 competes with several smartphones in its price segment.

The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers better camera capabilities but falls short in gaming performance.

The Nokia G20 provides a cleaner Android experience and better build quality but comes at a higher price point.

The Oppo A15 matches the C3 in most aspects but lacks the gaming-focused processor.

The Xiaomi Redmi 9A offers similar specifications at a lower price point but misses out on the dual-camera setup.

The OnePlus Nord N100 provides better software experience and faster charging but costs significantly more. Google’s Android One devices in this segment offer cleaner software but can’t match the C3’s performance capabilities.

Value Proposition

The Realme C3 presents a compelling value proposition in Qatar’s budget smartphone segment. Its combination of a capable gaming processor, long-lasting battery life, and decent camera system makes it an attractive option for users seeking a reliable daily driver without breaking the bank. The device particularly appeals to young users and gaming enthusiasts on a budget.

After-Sales Support

Realme provides comprehensive after-sales support in Qatar through authorized service centers. The device comes with a standard one-year warranty covering manufacturing defects. Software updates are regularly rolled out to improve performance and security, though major Android version updates may be limited.

Buying Guide

When purchasing the Realme C3 in Qatar, it’s recommended to buy from authorized retailers or official online stores to ensure warranty coverage and genuine products. The 4GB/64GB variant offers better value for most users, providing more room for apps and media storage. Common retail locations include major electronics stores in popular shopping centers across Doha and other major cities.