Reviews

realme C55 unboxing: First look and initial impressions

The Mini Capsule has potential.

The realme C55 will launch in the Philippines on April 18, 2023. The phone features a handful of enticing specs, including a large 6.72-inch FHD display with a refresh rate of 90Hz, the Mini Capsule notification, an Helio G88 chipset, a 64MP main camera, and 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging.

Coupled with an eye-catching design, how successful it becomes will depend on how much it would cost. Local pricing is yet to be revealed but based on prices in other countries it could go for somewhere in the ₱8,900+ or $160 range.

As we wait for the official launch, we’re sharing a quick look at the phone, along with our first impressions as we’re building up to a full review.

Inside the Box

The realme C55 comes in the yellow-colored box we’re all familiar with. Inside the box, you are getting the usual set of accessories.

  • realme C55
  • Pre-installed screen protector
  • Silicone case
  • SUPERVOOC Fast Charger
  • USB-C cable
  • SIM eject tool
  • Documentation

Setting up the phone for the first time is like any other experience, save for the numerous third-party apps (or bloatware) that come with the initial setup. Of course, you can just delete what you don’t need, as per usual.

realme C55 accessories

Initial Review

The realme C55 is quite the looker. It has a flat-edge design with a minimalist aesthetic. The back panel has a gun metal-like texture with a matte surface, effectively making it fingerprint-proof. Our review unit is in Sunshower color and has a gold hue with a gradient that shifts between warm colors with every movement. The other color options are the classic black called Rainy Night and a green hue called Rainforest.

realme C55 design

On the hand, the phone feels good and solid despite the plastic construction. It’s not sleek or thin in any way, but the sides have chamfered edges, removing any sharpness that you might feel and making it easier to grip.

The realme C55 is built around a 6.72-inch FHD+ IPS display, the largest on a C-series phone, with a resolution of 2400×1080 and a refresh rate of 90Hz. The screen is vibrant with punchy colors and good brightness, while the high refresh rate keeps basic navigation smooth and responsive. The top and side bezels are thin, while the bottom bezel is twice as thick, which isn’t surprising in this range.

realme C55 display

The realme C55 has a hole punch camera at the top center with an 8MP selfie shooter. Here, one of the phone’s highlight features is the Mini Capsule. Inspired by the iPhone’s Dynamic Island, it pops up to show an animation effect when charging. According to realme, it also shows low-battery notifications, remaining available data for the day, and steps and distance achieved for the day. It actually looks good and on paper, has potential. I just hope realme expands what it can do in the future.

At the back, the two cameras, comprised of a 64MP primary and a 2MP depth sensor, are prominently featured with large, protruding lenses on a rectangular module with a shiny finish that contrasts the matte rear panel.

While under the hood, the realme C55 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G88, a modest gaming chipset commonly seen in this range. It can reliably run games such as Genshin Impact, League of Legends, and Call of Duty Mobile, in low to medium graphics settings.

realme C55 design

Our review unit is also equipped with 8GB of RAM with an additional up to 8GB of RAM expansion and 256GB of storage, along with a 5000mAh battery with 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging support. It runs on realme UI 4 on top of Android 13.

So far, the phone is fast and responsive in daily operation. The animations look smooth. But we’ll dive deeper into our full review.

That’s it for my first impressions of the realme C55. So far, they are positive.

See also: realme 10 Pro 5G review: Flat design, impressively thin bezels

The realme C55 is scheduled to launch in the Philippines on April 18, 2023. Pricing and availability details will be revealed then. Stay tuned.

realme C55 Specs

Display6.72-inch FHD+ display, 2400×1080, 90Hz refresh rate, up to 680 nits
ProcessorMediaTek Helio G88
RAM/Storage8GB+128GB
8GB+256GB
Rear Cameras64MP main
2MP depth
Front Camera8MP
Network4G LTE
ConnectivityWi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
OthersSide fingerprint scanner, USB-C, headphone jack, 200% Ultra Boom Speaker
OSrealme UI 4.0, Android 13
ColorsSunshower, Rainy Night
Battery5000mAh Battery, 33W SUPERVOOC

Bryan is a geek at heart and a tech enthusiast by choice. He has a strong background in corporate communications, marketing services, and customer relations having worked in the telecommunications and banking sectors for over two decades. In his spare time, he enjoys watching clips on YouTube and binge watching shows on Netflix.

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