The realme C53 is the latest entry-level smartphone that offers some impressive features and an eye-catching design for its price. It has a large 6.74-inch HD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a 50MP dual rear camera setup, a UNISOC Tiger T612 chipset with 6GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging support.
It also runs on Android 13 with the realme UI T Edition interface, which adds some customization options and features to the stock Android experience.
But how does the realme C53 perform in real life? Is it worth buying for ₱7,999 (about $145) in the Philippines? Let’s find out in this review.
realme C53 Specs
| Display | 6.74-inch HD+ display, 90Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Unisoc T612 |
| RAM/Storage | 6GB+128GB |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP main Depth |
| Front Camera | 8MP |
| Network | 4G LTE |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS |
| Others | Side fingerprint scanner, USB-C, headphone jack, 200% Ultra Boom Speaker |
| OS | realme UI T Edition, Android 13 |
| Colors | Champion Gold, Mighty Black |
| Battery | 5000mAh Battery, 33W SUPERVOOC |
Display & Design
The realme C53 has a sleek and modern design with a glass front, a plastic frame, and a plastic back. It comes in two color options: Champion Gold and Mighty Black.
The back panel has a glossy finish that reflects light in streaks, giving it a premium look. For the design, realme used what they call a Golden Silk Coating Process where several layers of coating with a thickness of just 400nm was used to create the effect.
However, it also attracts fingerprints and smudges easily, so you might want to use a case or a skin to protect it.
The display is one of the main selling points of the realme C53. It has a 6.74-inch IPS LCD panel with an HD resolution. The screen is bright and colorful, with good viewing angles and contrast. The notch on the top houses the selfie camera and the earpiece.
The best part about the display is its 90Hz refresh rate, which makes everything look smoother and more responsive. You can notice the difference when scrolling through menus, browsing the web, or playing games that support high refresh rates. It also has a peak brightness of 560 nits, which makes it easier to read under direct sunlight.
The realme C53 has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that is fast and accurate. It also supports face unlock, which works well in most lighting conditions. The phone has a USB-C port at the bottom, along with a headphone jack, a speaker grill, and a microphone.
The left side has the SIM tray that can accommodate two nano-SIM cards and a microSD card. The right side has the power button that doubles as the fingerprint scanner and the volume rocker.
The phone measures 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.49 mm and weighs 182 g, making it relatively slim and light for its size. It is the thinnest C-series phone. It is easy to hold and operate with one hand, thanks to its flat sides, curved corners, and ergonomic design.
Cameras
The realme C53 has a dual rear camera setup that consists of a 50MP main camera and an AI lens that helps with scene detection and optimization.
Surprisingly, the main camera is quite good for its price. It can capture detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions. It also performs well in low-light situations.
The rear camera can record videos up to 1080p at 30 frames per second (fps), with decent quality and stabilization. It also has other modes like slow-motion, time-lapse, and panorama.
The front camera, on the other hand, is an 8MP shooter that can take decent selfies you won’t be ashamed to post on social media. It also supports HDR mode and beauty mode that can smooth out skin tones and enhance facial features.
Performance
The realme C53 is powered by a UNISOC Tiger T612 chipset. It has an octa-core processor with two Cortex-A75 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores. It also has a Mali-G57 GPU for graphics processing.
The phone has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card slot. It also supports an additional up to 6GB of virtual RAM, which converts some of the storage space into extra memory when needed.
The realme C53 can handle most daily tasks and apps smoothly and without lag. It can also run games like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, or Asphalt 9 at reasonable settings, with a stable frame rate and minimal heating issues. However, it may struggle with more demanding games or apps that require more processing power or graphics performance.
The phone runs on Android 13 with the realme UI T Edition interface. It is a lightweight version of the realme UI. It adds some features and options that enhance the usability and functionality of the phone.
It also has some pre-installed apps from realme and third-party developers, some of which can be uninstalled or disabled if not needed.
One of the highlights of the realme C53 is the Mini Capsule. It opens up from the notch when charging to show battery status, sends a reminder for data usage, and displays step stats. It’s a great addition to the UI, which adds an element of sophistication and polish. Hopefully, realme adds more functionality in the future.
Battery Life
The realme C53 has a large 5,000mAh battery that can easily last a full day or more of moderate to heavy usage, depending on your usage pattern and settings. It can handle tasks like web browsing, social media, streaming videos, gaming, or calling without draining the battery too quickly.
The phone also supports 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging via the USB-C port, which can charge the battery from zero to 50% in about 35 minutes. A full charge takes roughly 70 minutes, which is decent in this range.
Final Thoughts
The realme C53 is a solid all-rounder for its price, offering a large and smooth display, a decent camera setup, a respectable chipset, a long-lasting battery, and a sleek design. It is a good choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that can handle most tasks and games without compromising on performance or quality.
The realme C53 is priced at ₱7,999 in the Philippines. You can find it in realme stores and kiosks, and online on the TikTok shop, Lazada, and the SM Malls Online App.
