Some smartphones immediately catch your attention with their design, while others impress you with what’s inside. This one certainly made a strong first impression with its sleek and stylish design. After using the realme C100i as my daily phone, I realized there’s more to it than just its looks. Was it for better or worse? Here’s my honest experience.
Design: 4/5
I got the Dawn Purple color, which has a stunning, shiny finish that makes the phone look very premium despite being affordable. The back design features a camera module that is designed in a vertical style, which adds a modern flair to the design. Even though this is a budget smartphone, the realme C100i has a stylish aesthetic that I genuinely liked.
The phone measures 8.38mm thick and weighs 208 grams. As someone who is used to smaller and lighter devices, I initially found it a bit bulky. However, the weight is understandable considering the large battery packed inside.
At the front, the 6.8-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate is great for browsing different applications, such as social media and watching videos. It was also responsive enough despite occasional lag when switching between applications.
Hardware: 3.5/5
The realme C100i is powered by the Unisoc T7250 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and a maximum 256GB of storage capacity, running on realme UI 7.0 with Android 16 as its operating system. Although the hardware is sufficient for every day task, it isn’t the fastest performer and can struggle when handling multiple apps at once.
One area where the phone stands out is its durability. The phone is equipped with Military-Grade Shock Resistance and IP64 dust and splash resistance. This makes the phone more durable in the face of accidental falls, or other daily stresses.
User Experience: 3.5
Although I have been using this device for day-to-day activities like surfing social media apps, watching movies, sending messages, and even browsing the web, I would say the device performs pretty well. However, the phone struggles when handling multitasking and moving between apps. I faced some lag and delay from time to time, which made the experience less seamless than you’d expect with the 120Hz screen.
The phone’s camera is fairly basic and works well only under good lighting. While it’s sufficient for casual snapshots, consumers looking for more detailed photos or better performance may find it lacking.
The standout feature of the realme C100i is undoubtedly its battery life. The powerful 7000 mAh battery made it through an entire day of use, during which I was able to spend many hours scrolling through social media posts, watching videos, and browsing. It is one of those phones that you don’t have to hesitate taking out of the house for fear of low battery status.
However, my biggest drawback is the charging speed. While the phone offers great battery life, the 15W charger seems slow to me. Recharging from a low battery requires patience, making it less convenient for users who are always on the go.
Value: 3/5
The realme C100i starts from PHP6,313 for 4GB + 64GB; PHP7,379 for 4GB + 128GB; and PHP8,199 for 4GB + 256GB. These price points make the realme C100i an affordable phone to use, considering its high battery capacity and high storage capacity.
Despite its strong battery capacity and enough storage, its performance is better for basic tasks than demanding workloads. Nowadays, consumers expect both long battery life and smooth performance, so the C100i may not appeal to those who prioritize gaming or heavy multitasking. However, for consumers looking for a reliable smartphone with high battery capacity and large storage capacity, the realme C100i can be a good choice.
Bottomline:
The realme C100i is a decent smartphone within the budget category. Its battery power is 7000mAh, which is enough for a whole day of use. The performance and cameras are good enough for basic tasks. It is a good choice for people looking for a long-life smartphone that does not need frequent charging.
Reviewed by Phia Manuell Layoso
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE Volume 27 Issue No. 1