There was a lot of talk about the new realme C61. In June, we were just waiting for leaks, and now it’s time for a real review to dispel all the myths and rumors. The realme C61 is, first and foremost, a smartphone that grabs attention with its modern design and an affordable price starting at $110, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a reliable device for everyday use. Is it worth our attention? And what about its resemblance to the iPhone?
Positioning and price
I was surprised when I read more about the C61. The model offers 128/256 GB of storage, a good battery, decent battery life, a user-friendly interface, and a modern design. And all this starts at $110 / €100 for the 128 GB version or $130 / €115 for the 256 GB version.
The phone comes in two color options—green, like the one in our review, and yellow.
In realme’s budget lineup this year, the C61 is the entry-level and most affordable model. For a bit more, you can get the higher-end realme C63, which offers more RAM and a slightly faster Unisoc chipset, but with slower charging. Or there’s the stylish realme C67, which features a 108 MP camera and a powerful Snapdragon 685 processor.
Read also: Realme 12 4G Review: Powerful Player in Its Class
realme C61 specifications
- Screen: 6.74″, LCD IPS, refresh rate 90 Hz, 720×1600 (HD+), brightness up to 560 nits
- Processor: Unisoc Tiger T612 (2×1.82 GHz, A75 + 6×1.8 GHz, A55), Mali-G57 graphics chip
- Operating system: Android 14 with realme UI 5.0 interface
- RAM: 6 GB
- ROM: 128 GB
- Memory card slot: yes, up to 2 TB
- Cameras:
- Main module 50 megapixels f/1.8, 1/2.5”, 10x zoom
- Auxiliary sensor 0.08 megapixel
- Front camera 8 megapixel
- Video recording: 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps, 480p@30fps
- Battery: 5000 mAh
- Connectivity: 4G (LTE), Wi-Fi 5 ac, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0
- Navigation: GPS, A-GPS, Galileo, GLONASS
- Protection against moisture: IP54
- Fingerprint scanner: in the power button
- Dimensions and weight: 76.7 × 167.0 × 7.8 mm, 187 g
Package contents
The set is modest:
- Transparent case
- SIM card tray ejector key\
- Documentation
- Protective film for the display screen
- Cable for charging
There’s no charger included—realme has been cutting back on this component since the beginning of the year, assuming that everyone already has one. For testing, we received a 120W charger from realme, but I crossed it out in the photos to avoid any confusion. The phone supports charging up to 45W, so we recommend chargers with the same power, though higher wattage won’t be an issue either.
On the plus side, the included case is transparent and made from quality plastic. You might choose not to use it, but I highly recommend doing so, as the back of the smartphone easily picks up smudges and could get scratched over time.
Appearance and ergonomics
The main advantage of the realme C61 is its design—visually, it mimics the iPhone. Is that a bad thing or a good thing? I’m not sure, but I like it.
The screen bezels are narrow, but the chin is quite noticeable. The only solution I found is to set a black wallpaper, which makes the chin almost disappear.
The teardrop-style front camera is already an outdated solution, even in the budget segment.
On the right side, there are the power and volume buttons. The power button also doubles as a fingerprint scanner, which we’ll discuss later. On the left side, there’s only the SIM card slot. Good news for those who use wired headphones: there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack. Next to it, we have a single mono speaker and a Type-C port for charging the device.
The side frames are plastic, flat, and rounded at the corners, but they give a metallic appearance.
The back panel features a sleek and modern design. It only displays the manufacturer’s name “realme” and a camera island that houses two cameras: a depth sensor and the main module, along with a flashlight.
The phone shimmers nicely in the light, revealing tiny sparkles and crossed lines. Thank you, realme, for creating a simply beautiful phone without any unnecessary frills.
The body is protected to IP54 standards, meaning that the subject of the review is resistant to water splashes and rain, as well as being dustproof.
The design is perfect. The realme C61 is lightweight and feels good in the hand. However, it’s important to note that the back panel is slippery and picks up fingerprints easily.
Read also: Realme C63 Smartphone Review
Display
The realme C61 features a 6.74-inch display. The screen is made with IPS LCD technology, which is quite difficult to find in this price range compared to AMOLED. However, the panel is decent, offering good viewing angles and vibrant, contrasting colors.
The maximum refresh rate is 90 Hz (there’s also a basic 60 Hz option). It’s not a lot, but for this price point, it’s acceptable, and even the 90 Hz refresh rate provides smoothness when watching movies and playing games. Of course, you can’t expect the color depth of an OLED display from the current screen, and it tends to wash out in direct sunlight. Additionally, the HD resolution (1600×720) is relatively low, and I would have liked to see more detail.
Nevertheless, the screen of the realme C61 is well-suited for both multimedia consumption and everyday app usage, offering excellent image quality.
In the settings, we can adjust the font size, display modes, enhance video smoothness, and change the temperature and color mode.
Hardware and performance
The realme C61 is equipped with an octa-core UNISOC Tiger T612 processor, which may not be at the top of its class in this price range, but it delivers decent performance for everyday use. The 6 GB version allows for an additional 6 GB of virtual RAM from the internal storage, which is a nice feature.
Read also: Realme 12+ 5G Smartphone Review
Software
The new model runs on Android 14 with realme UI 5.0. The system is clear and intuitive, but I found that the realme C61 excels when it comes to interface bloat. There were so many unnecessary apps that I’ve never seen before—my entire screen was filled with “nonsense,” and removing them only wasted my time and left me feeling exhausted.
On a positive note, the interface is well thought out and includes additional smart features that are quite useful: special functions (like the “mini capsule” for notifications near the front camera, a dynamic button, call noise cancellation, a bike mode, air gestures, app locking, etc.).
It’s nice that a status bar appears at the top while working, known as a mini capsule, displaying essential information. I also enjoyed the air gestures that can be used. I was intrigued by the fact that the power button responds not only to pressing but also to swiping, holding, and other gestures. However, I found the AI noise cancellation feature to be ineffective for me, as it only slightly reduced unwanted background noise.
Unlocking methods
The realme C61 offers various ways to unlock the device—PIN code, graphic key, Face ID, and a fingerprint scanner. The fingerprint scanner is located on the side under the power button, allowing for quick unlocking with a single touch. It operates quickly and accurately, with no false touches occurring.
Face recognition, or Face ID, also works excellently. Even in low-light conditions, the phone recognized me without any issues. So, you can choose between the two options—both function well.
Read also: Realme GT 6T Smartphone Review
realme C61 cameras
If you love photography and expect good cameras and reliable quality, you might want to look at a different device. Honestly, the photographic capabilities of the realme C61 are not very promising. It has a main 50 MP module, an additional one that’s just for show (even if you cover it with your finger, it won’t make a difference), and an 8 MP selfie camera.
The selfie camera lacks natural colors; skin tones in the photos appear dull, and even the available filters didn’t improve the situation.
The main camera takes decent photos in good lighting for this price range. However, once again, the colors are lackluster, there’s a lack of proper contrast, and digital noise is present.
I understand that I’m judging the phone in comparison to other, more expensive models, but I still can’t commend the realme C61 for its photo quality. The portrait mode also fell short—it looks overly artificial and poorly handles the edges of the subject.
Photos taken in low light are decent for this price range. The night mode slightly improves the quality, and I appreciate that I didn’t have to wait long to get a good shot.
You can record videos in Full HD (1080p) at 30 frames per second and HD (720p) also at 30 frames per second. There’s an option to record in standard definition (480p) at the same frame rate. The quality is quite low—there’s no stabilization, and in low-light conditions, the module often loses focus.
Sound
The sound is typical for mono audio. There’s one speaker, but it produces quite loud and quality sound. However, one downside (aside from the lack of a second speaker, of course) is the placement of the speaker; it’s located at the bottom right. This position made it difficult to hear when I was holding the phone with one hand, as I often covered the speaker. As I mentioned earlier, there’s a mini-jack for connecting 3.5mm wired headphones.
In the settings, you can select OReality Audio playback modes: smart, music, movie, and gaming.
Read also: Realme GT 6 Smartphone Review
Connectivity and communications
The phone supports 4G, Wi-Fi 5 ac, Bluetooth 5.0, and NFC for payments in stores. For effective navigation in the city or outdoors, it includes GPS, GLONASS, and GALILEO modules.
Battery life
The installed battery is standard for this segment of devices, with a capacity of 5000 mAh. There is no charger included in the package, so the charging speed depends on the chargers you have at home. In my case (using a 50W charger), the charging time was 1 hour and 15 minutes.
As for battery life, initially, it lasted me almost two days. On the first day, I simply explored the phone and took photos and videos. The next day, I fully enjoyed the realme C61—I played games, watched YouTube videos, edited review texts in my notes, scrolled through TikTok, and read news online. The model only drained after 11 PM. Of course, if you edit videos, work with graphics, or play “heavy” games, the battery life will noticeably shorten. However, this phone is unlikely to be intended for such tasks, so a regular user will definitely find it sufficient for 1.5 to 2 days.
Conclusions and competitors
The realme C61 is a smartphone that stands out due to several key features. Its stylish design catches the eye and resembles that of an iPhone, while the long battery life makes it an ideal choice for users who need a device that lasts all day. The interface ensures smooth performance, and the inclusion of a 3.5 mm headphone jack is a significant plus for those who still appreciate traditional headphones. Additionally, the IP54 rating and 45W charging add to its appeal. Moreover, the device is attractively priced, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious consumers.
Of course, the realme C61 is not without its drawbacks. The monophonic sound may not satisfy everyone, and the weak camera will disappoint photography enthusiasts. The lack of a charger in the box is also a downside. The screen could benefit from a higher resolution and thinner bezels (I’m not asking for an OLED display, but there are options available in this price range). The processor is underwhelming, and while the software is decent, there’s an excessive amount of unnecessary pre-installed apps—and that’s for our money!
In terms of competition, it’s worth immediately considering other models from realme. For a slightly higher price, you can purchase the older C63 model, which offers more RAM, a “leather” back panel, and a somewhat faster Unisoc chipset, though it has slower charging. The previous year’s C51 has nearly the same specifications (just charges more slowly) and is available at a lower price. There’s also the very successful realme C53 from last year, which can be found for just $150 in the 8/256 GB version. It offers a Full HD screen and more RAM, but charges a bit slower at 33 W.
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Regarding other brands, you can consider the redmi Note 12S, which features an excellent AMOLED display and a 108 MP camera. Alternatively, the newer redmi Note 13 4G with 6/128 GB offers a Full HD AMOLED screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a powerful Snapdragon 685 chipset, Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, and a 108 MP camera. The standard redmi 13 4G provides better camera capabilities than the realme C61, along with an IPS display at Full HD resolution and a more powerful chipset. The redmi 13C 4G with 8/256 GB offers a faster chipset for a similar price point. You might also want to check out the budget-friendly Motorola Moto G24 Power, which comes with a 6000 mAh battery, Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, 8 GB of RAM, and the popular MediaTek Helio G85 chipset. These alternatives might better suit your needs if you’re looking for superior display quality, camera performance, or overall specifications.
Overall, the realme C61 is a solid choice for those seeking a new phone with a good price-to-quality ratio. Despite some compromises, it meets the expectations of many users, especially those who prioritize affordability and practical features. However, I believe the price could be a bit more accessible to attract a broader audience.
Read also:
- Realme 12 Pro Plus 5G Review: Created for Success
- realme 12 Pro Review: All About the Cameras
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