Gaming smartphone manufacturer realme has expanded its entry-level C series with the introduction of the realme C85 and the realme C85 5G. With a focus on affordability, durability, and performance, this smartphone aims to provide users with a reliable daily driver.
After testing the realme C85 5G, here’s a comprehensive overview of its standout features and overall performance.
Design and Display
A highlight of the realme C85 5G is its build quality, which passed the MIL-STD 810H military-grade shock resistance test, and earned an IP66, IP68, and the new IP69K dust wand water resistance.
The IP69K rating indicates that the phone could not just endure water immersions, it could also withstand high pressure water jets of up to 1,160 to 1,450 PSI, and temperatures up to 85°C.
As added support, the phone has a Rainwater Smart Touch feature, to maintain touch response sensitivity when being used under precipitation, with gloved hands, or when the phone is covered with a waterproof pouch. It also has a Speaker Cleaner function, which vibrates the speaker to eject any liquid that got stuck in the phone speaker holes.
The phone features a spacious 6.8-inch IPS LCD display, providing a peak brightness of 1,200 nits and a 144Hz refresh rate. However, the HD+ resolution does detract from the overall image clarity, and the lack of AMOLED technology results in slightly dull colors. Still, it remains functional for most everyday tasks and media consumption.
Performance
With the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 CPU, combined with 8GB of RAM — expandable to 24GB — offers smooth performance for daily applications and multitasking. With a storage capacity of 256GB, users have ample space for apps and media.
The phone’s performance benchmarks are decent, with a single-core score of 781 and a multi-core score of 2,009 on Geekbench 6, showing that it can manage everyday tasks with ease.
The integrated Mali-G57 MC2 GPU handles light to medium games fairly well, wih a 1,409 Geekbench 6 score.
While playing “Zenless Zone Zero” on high settings does lead to noticeable stutters and pixelation. Running the game on low gives smoother movements, but with the low display resolution, there are still some graininess on the images.
For AI functions, the chipset manages to reach a quantized score of 1,008 on Geekbench AI. The realme C85 5G features almost the same AI functions as in other realme phones, with the addition of AI Outdoor mode, which automatically adjusts brightness, volume, network boost, and performance boost.
These comes with the Android 15-based realme UI 6.0 OS, but ith the chipset’s average score, there is a bit of a lag when processing AI tasks.
To accommodate the heat generated by the hardware, the realme C85 has an upgraded 5330mm² Vapor Chamber Cooling System, to keep the hardware cool, and operate at peak performance.
Camera Performance
For photography, the realme C85 5G sports a 50MP Sony IMX852 AI main camera and an 8MP selfie AI camera. While neither sensor includes image stabilization, the AI processing compensates somewhat, producing cleaner images with adequate post-processing tools for enhancing photos.
The cameras are also supported by a suite of image editing AI tools, to get the right composition. However, be prepared for occasional delays while the chipset processes the images, including some failed attempts.
Videography capabilities are adequate, with the option to record in 720p and 1080p, locked at 30FPS. Fortunately, realme has eliminated the file size cap for video recordings in this model, allowing for longer shooting sessions.
Battery Performance
The battery life is another highlight, as the realme C85 5G is equipped with a robust 7,000mAh battery. During testing with the PC Mark Work 3.0 battery life test, the phone lasted an impressive 35 hours and 54 minutes from full charge to 20% depletion.
Additionally, the device features a Bypass Charging system to prolong battery lifespan by directing power straight to the motherboard, reducing heat generation and battery aging.
Users can also take advantage of the Reverse Charging function, which allows the smartphone to serve as a power bank for other devices.
Quick Specs and Pricing
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 6300, 5G, 6nm, Octa-Core
- Dimensions: 166.07mm x 77.93mm x 8.38mm
- Weight: 215g
- Display: 6.8″ IPS LCD display
- Resolution: 1570 x 720 (HD+, 19.5:9 ratio)
- Camera: 50MP Sony IMX852 AI camera
- Selfie Camera: 8MP AI camera
- Battery: 7,000mAh, with 45W SUPERVOOC Charging Adapter
- Operating System: realme UI 6.0 (Android 15)
- IP Rating: IP66, IP68, IP69K dust and water resistance
- Colors: Parrot Purple and Peacock Green
- Pricing:
- realme C85 5G 8GB + 256GB (P14,999)
- realme C85 8GB + 256GB (P12,999)
- realme C85 6GB + 128GB (P9,999)
Verdict
While the realme C85 5G is positioned in the entry-level market, it commands a relatively high price. However, its build quality, extensive battery life, and 5G connectivity make it a strong contender for those seeking a reliable smartphone.
The value it offers in terms of AI features and versatility justifies the investment, especially as 5G infrastructure continues to expand.
If there’s room for improvement, a more powerful chipset could enhance its performance further without significantly altering its price point.
Nonetheless, the realme C85 5G stands out as a commendable option for users looking for a sturdy, feature-rich smartphone that offers great functionality at an accessible price.
Orders for the realme C85 5G made at realme affiliate store, between November 21 to 30, would get a free 10,000mAh power bank, while orders for the realme C85 between December 6 and 14 would get a free 5,000mAh power bank. Offers from Home Credit, TikTok Shop, and Shopee are also available.
Pros
- Excellent build quality and durability
- Impressive battery capacity
- The camera gives decent photos through the Sony lens and AI processing
- Full suite of AI image editing tools
- Video file size capping is removed
- MicroSD card slot available for storage expansion
Cons
- Needs a faster chipset for smoother AI processing
- Slightly expensive for the capabilities
- Display resolution is too low for the price
- Limited gaming capabilities on higher settings
