Realme C71: Realme has made a name for itself by offering affordable smartphones that don’t skimp on usability. The Realme C71 is the brand’s new entry-level device, and the company has tried to walk a tightrope between the necessities and modern design.
With a big screen, decent-for-the-price processor and a large – if not gigantic – battery, the C71 is aimed at those looking for an entry-level phone that won’t feel like it came from yesteryear.
But faced with stiff competition in the sub-₹10,000–₹12,000 range, does Realme C71 make an impression? Here’s a detailed look.
Design and display: Look that is modern, feel that is practical
At the first look, the Realme C71 is relatively clean with a minimal design, it doesn’t scream budget. It has a glossy finish on the back panel with options for more subtle colors, such as Sky Blue and Graphite Black, and the plastic build means it’s light.
You also get a 90Hz refresh rate which is a rarity at this price. The screen is bright and reasonably sharp for casual use, with a HD+ resolution (1600×720 pixels). The higher refresh rate helps scrolling and animations feel a little less jumpy than I’d expect at this price.
The bezels are thin, though there’s a noticeable chin at the bottom. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which sits on the power button remains intact—a very convenient and fast way to unlock your phone.
Performance and Software: Enough for Everyday Tasks
On the hardware front, the Realme C71 is equipped with the Unisoc T612 processor, which is accompanied by 4GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of internal storage.
It’s not cut out for heavy gaming or multitasking, but it copes just fine with normal tasks such as web browsing, social media and video streaming.
Light gaming experiences should be fine, however heavy games may struggle on higher settings. And there’s the option to increase the storage with a microSD card, which is a plus for people with a lot of media to store.
At the software front, the phone runs the Realme UI T Edition based on Android 13 Go Edition. The interface is neat and functional, and while you may already have a few too many apps, it does at least come with some pre-installed ones. These can be removed, but many people are looking for a cleaner setup.
A Camera That Makes It Easy to Create and Share Photos Surprisingly, it takes a smart camera to make your smartphone fly.
On the backside, it had a single 50MP rear camera with an LED flash. In adequate light, the main sensor snaps detailed photos with good dynamic range.
Color accuracy is average, though occasional shots may seem a little washed out.
Overall low-light performance is fair, which is what you’d expect for this price. There’s no ultra-wide or macro lens, so fans of versatility will be left wanting. An 8MP selfie camera on the front gets the job done for video calls and the occasional social media upload.
Video recording tops out at 1080p, and it is serviceable, but stabilization is rudimentary. You can’t look forward to cinematic-grade footage; this camera is fine for casual shooting only.
Battery: A Steady Eddy
Realme C71 key features One of the highlights of the Realme C71 is its 5000mAh battery. This beast of a cell lasts a day and a half with light to moderate use. It’s perfect for those who put battery life above all other considerations.
And for the unfamiliar, the phone also has 33W fast charging, which is a surprise in this segment.
Charging to 100% takes roughly an hour and a half, which is alright for the size of the battery.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Big 6.72-inch 90Hz screen providing silky smooth visuals
Convenient side-mounted fingerprint reader
The 5000mAh battery keeps the device ticking for long duration
33W fast charging in this price segment is uncommon
Crisp software with very little bloat
Cons:
Unisoc T612 is not the best for gaming
Just a lonely rear camera, no ultra-wide or macro shots
Preloaded with a few apps
Some users may consider 720p resolution to be low
Realme C71 Conclusion
The Realme C71 is a suitable smartphone for first-time users or as a dependable backup phone. It gets the fundamentals right — a responsive display, long battery life and a clean interface.
Though it’s not breaking new ground in terms of performance or camera technology, that’s entirely the point: It’s a solid user experience that doesn’t break the bank.
For those on a shoestring budget looking for an affordable device with no extras, the Realme C71 represents great value for the price.