Realme C53 Review: Good smartphone for small price
Realme has established itself as a prominent player in the mid-range smartphone market, but it’s worth noting that the company also offers some interesting options in the entry-level range. The Realme C53 is one such device that combines a big screen, a generous battery, decent performance, and most importantly, a very competitive price.
One of the standout features of the Realme C53 is its 50-megapixel camera. For an entry-level device, this is quite impressive and can potentially produce some good quality images.
Another advantage of the Realme C53 is its 33W fast charging capability.
However, before making a purchase decision, it’s essential to evaluate your specific needs and expectations from a smartphone. If you prioritize gaming performance or professional-level photography, you may want to explore alternatives in higher price ranges. However, for those seeking a cost-effective option that can handle everyday tasks with ease, the Realme C53 is certainly worth considering.
| Specs | Realme C53 |
| Processor | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 |
| Memory | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI T |
| Card slot | microSDXC |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Display | 6.74 inches, IPS LCD, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 90Hz, 20:9 ratio |
| Camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, 0.3 MP, (depth) |
| Selfie | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Audio | Yes |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Yes |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min (advertised) |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.5 mm (6.59 x 3.02 x 0.30 in |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Colors | Champion Gold, Mighty Black |
Realme C53: Unboxing
We are greeted by Realme’s signature packaging design with a bright yellow background and the name of the smartphone on the front.
Upon opening the box, we are immediately presented with the Realme C53 smartphone. Basic accessories such as a silicone case, charger, cable and SIM eject tool are also provided.
We also find the usual documentation, which includes a user manual and warranty information.
Design
The Realme C53 bears a resemblance to other models within the Realme range, such as the Realme C55. It features a body with flat sides, contributing to a comfortable and ergonomic grip. With dimensions of 167.4 x 77 mm and a thickness of only 7.59 mm, the device feels compact and easy to handle with one hand. Moreover, its weight of 187 grams adds to the overall comfort of use.
The design of the C53 predominantly relies on plastic, and in this case, it sports a Gold. While the matte finish helps in resisting fingerprints when viewed directly from the front, the back tends to show fingerprints quite prominently when tilted slightly.
The rear of the phone houses a camera module with three circles, though it’s important to note that not all of these circles imply separate camera lenses. The glossy background of the camera module provides a visual contrast to the matte body, making it stand out in terms of design.
Moving to the front, the Realme C53 features a decent-sized screen with moderate bezels on the sides and top. The front camera is integrated into a waterdrop notch at the top. The bezel at the bottom (chin area) is slightly thicker, which is common for smartphones in this price segment. Unfortunately, the screen doesn’t seem to have an oleophobic coating, leading to noticeable fingerprint marks on it.
The contours of the Realme C53 have a slightly rough finish, improving grip and reducing the risk of accidental slips. At the bottom, four openings house the speaker grilles, adjacent to the USB-C port. On the opposite end, users will be pleased to find a headphone jack port, which is becoming less common in modern smartphones.
The right side of the phone holds the button panel, consisting of a large volume control button that slightly protrudes from the body, making it easy to locate and use. Just below it, a flush button serves the dual purpose of powering on or locking the device and acting as a fingerprint authentication system for added security and convenience.
On the left side, users can find the tray that accommodates two nano SIM cards and allows for storage expansion of up to 2 TB using a memory card. The tray can be accessed by using the tool provided in the package.
Display
The Realme features a 6.74-inch IPS display with an HD+ resolution of 1,600 x 720 pixels. One notable highlight of this screen is its 90 Hz refresh rate, which provides a smoother and more fluid user experience compared to the standard 60 Hz rate. However, for users who prioritize battery life over higher refresh rates, the option to switch to the standard 60 Hz resolution is available.
The device has an IPS panel on its front, and it is a practical choice considering the cost-effectiveness of this segment. While some users might desire an AMOLED panel for better color reproduction and contrast, opting for an IPS screen ensures that the Realme C53 remains competitively priced, which is one of its most attractive aspects.
In terms of performance, the screen is quite satisfactory, offering a good level of detail for its resolution. However, it falls short in terms of brightness and color vibrancy, which is somewhat expected in this price segment. Despite this, the screen provides a decent user experience and is capable of rendering quality multimedia content.
One area where the screen could use improvement is its susceptibility to fingerprints. The display seems to attract fingerprints quite easily, which might require frequent cleaning to maintain visibility and a neat appearance.
Realme C53: Performance
In the realm of entry-level smartphones, the hardware plays a crucial role in determining the overall performance and user experience. Realme has made a thoughtful choice by equipping the C53 with an eight-core Unisoc Tiger T612 processor, which supports 4G connectivity. This chipset has proven to be a sensible selection, offering a good balance between performance and value for money.
The Realme C53 is equipped with a Mali G57 GPU, which is capable enough for handling basic graphics tasks and casual gaming. The device comes with 128 GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, media, and files. Additionally, users have the option to expand the storage further using a microSD card, accommodating up to a massive 2 TB of additional storage.
The smartphone packs a respectable 6 GB of RAM, which can be virtually expanded by an additional 6 GB to further enhance multitasking capabilities.
Overall, the Realme C53 delivers a satisfactory performance, especially considering its entry-level status. Standard testing applications reveal its capabilities, with results showing competitive performance. However, occasional delays might be observed in response to some actions. It’s essential to keep in mind that while the C53 performs well for an entry-level product, it may not excel in handling resource-intensive tasks, such as heavy gaming.
In benchmark tests, the Realme C53 achieves commendable scores. Geekbench 6 singles out the device with a score of 420 in a single-core test and 1,451 in a multi-core test. PCMark, a performance testing application, awards an impressive score of 7,842 points. In terms of graphics, 3DMark scores 423 points in the Wild Life test and drops to 111 points in the Xtreme version. Comparing the C53’s performance with the Nokia C32, it becomes evident that a capable processor is crucial, as the Realme device outperforms the HMD Global counterpart significantly.
Realme T Edition
In an effort to optimize the resources of the Realme C53, the brand has chosen to depart from its usual Realme UI that is commonly found in devices like the Realme C55. Instead, the Realme C53 comes with the Realme T Edition, a customized version of Android 13 that aims to deliver a streamlined and performance-focused experience.
Realme T Edition is designed to be a clean and lightweight layer on top of Android 13. It avoids adding unnecessary frills and features that could potentially hinder the device’s performance. This approach allows the smartphone to run smoothly and efficiently, catering to users who prioritize a seamless and responsive user experience.
While Realme T Edition is a relatively straightforward interface, it does come with a set of pre-installed applications. However, users have the flexibility to remove these applications if they desire, ensuring that they can tailor the device to their preferences.
Although Realme T Edition may not have the most intuitive interface, it grants access to the essential configuration options without major complications. The emphasis on simplicity and efficiency aligns well with the entry-level nature of the Realme C53.
One of the trade-offs of this clean and optimized layer is that it lacks extensive customization options. Realme has chosen to forgo heavy customization to avoid potentially compromising the fluidity of the system. However, users still have some level of control over certain aspects. For instance, they can adjust the color modes and temperature of the screen, enabling them to tailor the display to their liking.
Additionally, users can choose between two refresh rate options – 90 Hz or 60 Hz. This feature gives users the flexibility to prioritize smoothness (with the 90 Hz option) or battery efficiency (with the 60 Hz option) based on their preferences and needs.
Camera
The Realme C53 has an 8-megapixel f/2.0 lens on the front, suitable for taking decent selfies and video calls. However, the real intrigue lies in the rear camera module, which has three circles but serves primarily aesthetic purposes. Among these circles, one contains the LED flash, while another houses a monochrome sensor with an f/3.0 aperture. The main camera, boasting an impressive 50-megapixel resolution and an f/1.8 aperture, shoulders the primary responsibility for photography on this device.
Realme has tailored the camera application to suit the affordable nature of the Realme C53. The interface is simplified, offering fewer options as most of the photography is entrusted to the main lens. The available shooting modes include the standard night mode, the high-resolution 50-megapixel mode, and a portrait mode that allows users to experiment with various depths of field, ranging from f/0.95 to f/16.0.
In well-lit conditions, the Realme C53’s main camera delivers commendable results, capturing images with a good level of detail and textures. The color accuracy is generally pleasing, with only occasional instances of slight saturation in very bright colors. Users also have the option to enable a scene recognition mode, hidden in the app’s settings list. However, this mode tends to exaggerate colors to make photos more eye-catching, albeit at the expense of realism. Some users may prefer to avoid activating this feature to maintain a more natural look in their photos.
The camera application provides access to HDR mode, which can be set to automatic or managed manually. HDR results are generally accurate, although in some situations, particularly scenes with clear skies, there might be slight issues with overexposure.
While the Realme C53’s camera performs well in good lighting conditions, it becomes apparent that it operates in the entry-level segment when faced with low-light situations. In such scenarios, the camera may struggle to produce high-quality images with the same level of detail and clarity seen in well-lit conditions.
Battery Life
One of the standout features of the Realme C53 is its substantial 5,000 mAh battery. The combination of this large battery capacity with the good optimization of the system results in an impressive battery life. Users can expect to enjoy nearly two days of autonomy on a single charge, with more than 8 hours of screen-on time. These figures are commendable and place the Realme C53 ahead of many smartphones available today, making it a notable highlight of the device.
In addition to its excellent battery life, the Realme C53 comes equipped with 33W fast charging capabilities, which further adds to the device’s appeal.
In just half an hour, the battery can be charged to around 50%, offering a substantial boost in a short amount of time. To reach 100% charge, it takes just over an hour, ensuring that users spend less time tethered to a power outlet and more time using their smartphone.
Realme C53: Conclusion
The Realme C53 is an interesting entry-level smartphone that manages to offer a well-rounded package at an affordable price.
One of the main strengths of the Realme C53 is its impressive battery life. With a generous 5,000 mAh battery and efficient system optimization, users can enjoy nearly two days of autonomy and over 8 hours of screen-on time.
The device’s 50-megapixel main camera, though not matching the performance of higher-end smartphones, still offers a satisfactory level of detail and color accuracy in well-lit conditions.
The Realme T Edition, a clean and streamlined Android 13 interface, contributes to the phone’s efficient performance. While it lacks extensive customization options, its simplicity and focus on performance align well with the entry-level nature of the device.
Overall, the Realme C53 caters to users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with decent performance, reliable battery life, and fast charging capabilities. While it may not offer top-tier features or cutting-edge performance, it delivers a well-balanced package that is more than sufficient for everyday tasks and multimedia enjoyment.
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