In recent months, several mobile phone companies decided to unveil their offerings especially directed at those shopping for new units either as their main gadgets or as gifts for the Yuletide season.
Among the companies that introduced new models was realme, which introduced its realme C33 to the Philippine market in October.
APPEARANCE
Specifications
6.5-inch HD+ (1600 x 720) IPS LCD
8.33mm ultra thin
720 x 1600 pixel screen resolution
Dedicated microSD slot
3.5mm audio jack
Dual SIM
187 g
Available colors: Aqua Blue, Night Sea
For a budget phone, one would immediately notice that it is built for those with discriminating tastes with a matte finish as its color and its boundless sea design make it among the few models in the market that get noticed immediately.
The impression is that the phone is crafted to attract new users as its screen is more dynamic than most in its category. Its appearance pushes the user to conclude that it is also a standout in the category within its price point. Unfortunately, the way the apps are laid out, as well as the number of preloaded apps, is a bit of a turn off. But this can easily be remedied by deleting apps that the user does not intend to use or does not like.
On the design side, one would conclude that it is well thought as it projects of being a mobile phone that showcases better aesthetics. It is also light and thin which make it a better phone for everyday use as it allows its user the ease in navigating among apps even when only a single hand is used.
What contributes to its appearance, with the review unit being Aqua Blue, is how the cameras are appended to its back like some of the flagship phones of the top brands.
If design were to be rated in a 1 to 10 range, and if the rating were be the main marketing tool, then selling it would be easier. However, the presence of an audio jack, just like the use of microSB for charging and on-the-go adopter, works for or against it: the pro being that it is easier to use it as a music source, while on the flip side it shows what it is not, that it is not a flagship phone.
CONNECTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE
Specifications
Unisoc T612 SoC
Mali-G57 GPU
WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 5.0
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
12nm octa-core Unisoc T612 processor
Fast finger sensor
4GB LPDDR4X RAM
64GB UFS 2.2 storage, expandable up to 1TB
Realme UI S Edition based on Android 12
5,000mAh battery
In terms of performance, based on the period that it was reviewed, although connectivity was limited to 4G LTE, speeds in opening up apps, including browsers, are fast, although still incomparable with those that have chips that connect to 5G.
Using it not only for daily activities but also for online games that need better chips with higher memories amplifies its being not a gamer’s phone. In the limited time that it was used for mobile games, the lagging aspect was very evident.
However, it is also worthy to note that this is a budget phone, so comparing it to high-end phone is out of question.
Another letdown is its audio because its speaker produces only a mono sound.
But a battery powering a phone with such its specifications both in hardware and software is more than enough to compensate the challenges in using it, at least if the price point is the consideration.
CAMERA
Specifications
Rear: Dual 50 MP, (wide), phase-detection autofocus 0.3 MP, f/2.8, (depth)
Front: 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0″, 1.12µm
LED flash, HDR, panorama
Videos: 1080p@30fps
HDR: 720p@30fps
Its dual rear camera, which protrudes and are covered within two circles that also house the flash, makes it more appealing to buyers looking for smart phones within the price category. The camera also does not result in the rocking of the device as it, on the opposite, stabilizes it even when place on top a table or other smooth surfaces. The cover also takes away the fear of the owner that the camera will be exposed to foreign objects that might destroy it.
In using it, one would notice that it performs as expected as it has both the night and pro modes. For those looking for cameras that can shoot faster with better efficiency, the realme C33 does not disappoint.
CONCLUSION
For a phone sold at P7,499 (based on price reflected at realme.com/ph as well as online stores), the realme C33 is worth the money. Its flaws like the audio are compensated by its elegant design and other plus factors like its battery. It is a good gift this Yuletide season for those who have limited budgets.
