The durable entry-level smartphone realme C63 has officially launched in the Philippines and is officially priced at PHP 8,999.00.
Among the highlights of this budget-friendly device are Weather Proof Design (7.74mm Ultra Slim, realme Lab 48-Month Fluency Certification, realme Lab High-Reliability Certification), 45W SUPERVOOC Charge (5000mAh Battery, TÜV Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System Certification), and Real Essentials (AI Boost, AI Noise Reduction, Mini Capsule 2.0, Rainwater Smart Touch, Air Gestures, Dynamic Button, Riding Mode, Customized Lowest or 1 Nit Brightness).
To learn more about the latest realme C63 smartphone, check out my review below. It includes the phone's features, Antutu benchmark score, gaming performance, and camera samples.
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realme C63 specs
- Display: 6.74-inch HD+ (1600 x 720 pixels, 260 ppi) LCD (IPS), 90Hz refresh rate, 180Hz touch sampling rate, 560 nits peak brightness, notch
- CPU: UNISOC Tiger T612 octa-core processor (12 nm)
- GPU: Mali-G57
- RAM: 8GB; Up to 8GB RAM Expansion (Virtual RAM); Total of 16GB RAM
- Internal Storage: 256GB ROM
- Memory card slot: Expandable up to 2TB via microSD
- Dual rear cameras: 50MP f/1.8 main camera + Auxiliary lens; LED Flash
- Single front camera: 8MP f/2.0
- SIM slot: Dual SIM (nano)
- Connectivity: 4G LTE, dual-band WiFi (2.4GHz+5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, USB OTG, GPS
- USB port: USB-C
- Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack, a single down-firing loudspeaker (200% UltraBoom Speaker)
- Biometrics: Fingerprint scanner (side) and Face unlock
- Sensors: Magnetic Induction Sensor, Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Gyro-meter, Acceleration Sensor
- Operating System: realme UI based on Android 14 OS
- Battery and Charging: 5,000mAh battery with 45W SUPERVOOC charging
- Dimensions: 167.26 x 76.67 x 7.74 mm
- Weight: 189 grams (Jade Green), 191 grams (Leather Blue)
- Colors: Jade Green, Leather Blue
Design and Build Quality
The realme C63 variant I have is the Leather Blue, 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM. When I'm holding the phone, it really feels premium and sturdy. Its slim and lightweight design, flat sides, flat display, rounded corners, and faux leather back panel are all perfect match for a comfortable handling experience. According to realme, it uses Premium Vegan Leather with a coarse lychee texture, which makes the phone easier to grip and feels great to touch. This back design has also been tested for its ability to withstand wear and tear.
The squarish rear camera island that houses a flash and two lenses has a nice look and smooth texture, which flawlessly blends with the Premium Vegan Leather back panel. According to realme, it uses an "Aluminum Camera Deco" that has an improved texture in terms of strength and also comes in an anodized blue color.
The good thing about its scratch-resistant back is that you don't need to bother putting a jelly case in it. But if you want added protection, you can use the plastic phone case included in the package. In addition to providing a secure grip, the faux leather cover is not susceptible to fingerprint smudges. To clean it, just wipe it off when dirt gets on it. You can keep it in your pocket or bag without worrying about a scratch from sharp objects.
The realme C63 smartphone's Weather Proof Design ensures a certain level of durability, enabling it to withstand accidental drops and extreme heat or cold. Moreover, soft, ultra-durable, and stain-resistant Premium Vegan Leather adorns the back panel, adding an elegant finish. Plus, it's water- and dust-resistant thanks to its IP54 ingress protection rating. Do note that it is water resistant only, not waterproof. Therefore, it is not submersible.
Regarding its sides, the top side of the realme C63 phone is clear. On the bottom area, you'll see the 3.5mm audio jack, mic, USB Type-C port, and the four-holed speaker grill. The triple card slot (2 nano SIMs + 1 microSD) is located in the left area. The power button, which doubles as a fingerprint scanner, and the volume rocker are located on the right side of the device.
Further, you can be assured that it is a high-quality product. As per realme, the realme C63 has undergone over 320 stringent tests. Some of the tests are 500,000 times clicking the power button / 100,000 times clicking on the volume rocker buttons / 20,000 times plugging and un-plugging the USB cable / 500,000 times tapping and clicking on the display / 10,000 times plugging in and out from the headphone jack / long-term high temperature and high humidity at 65°C, 95% RH for 14 days.
Display, Speaker Quality, and Biometrics
The large 6.74-inch IPS LCD of realme C63 features an HD+ resolution (1600 x 720 pixels), 90Hz screen refresh rate, a touch sampling rate of 180Hz, a 90.3% screen-to-body ratio, and 450 Nits of Brightness that can go higher to 560 Nits in HBM (High Brightness Mode). With this display, you can view any media content clearly, even under the sun. It has two screen color modes (Vivid and Gentle) available in the settings to achieve optimal color accuracy. Check out its display quality below.
What I can say about the display of realme C63 is that it's really vibrant and snappy. Its slim bezels on top and both left and right sides, slightly thick chin bezel, and tiny dewdrop notch provide a more expansive viewing experience. The default screen refresh rate is set to "Auto," a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz for smoother animations and operations. Otherwise, you can select the 60Hz option, which is smooth with better battery performance. Note that higher screen refresh rates bring a smoother visual experience but drain the battery faster.
The HD+ screen makes it easy to view fine details in any kind of content, be it text, images, or videos. Even though the screen resolution is just HD+, the images and videos I viewed on realme C63 were very detailed and lifelike. I was able to watch YouTube videos at 720p and 1080p. Its IPS LCD display has great color reproduction, deep blacks, decent contrast, and broad viewing angles. Additionally, the screen is bright. Indoors or outdoors, visibility is fine.
Moreover, realme C63 has other interesting features on its front panel. Its Rainwater Smart Touch feature allows for maximum touch response despite having a wet display or fingers. You can turn this on by going to Settings > Smart Control > Smart Touch. Further, it has Dual Light Sensors that properly dim the screen according to ambient light in the environment. Meanwhile, the 1 Nit of Brightness can help the user's eyes navigate the phone better in poorly lit or very dark places. This can be toggled both manually with the brightness slider or automatically when Auto Brightness is enabled. Auto Brightness adapts to surrounding ambient lighting conditions and selects the needed level of brightness for comfortable use. If you want an extra dim, you can activate it in the notification drawer. To conserve battery life and for extended usage, it also supports backlight power saving, which was enabled by default in the display settings.
For audio, realme C63 features a single downward-firing speaker. For an entry-level phone, its speaker sounds decent. For boosted audio experience, it also has an 'Ultra' volume mode that pushes the speaker to 200 percent volume. This enhancement in low-frequency audio and loudness is done through realme's own self-developed audio algorithms.
Meanwhile, biometrics include a side-mounted fingerprint reader, pattern, PIN (4-6 digits), password (at least four alphanumeric characters), and face unlock. You can access this via Settings > Security & Privacy > Device Unlock. Its fingerprint scanner on the power button is so snappy. Just a slight tap on it, and the screen will unlock immediately.
Hardware and Software
The realme C63 has 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage (which can be expanded up to 2TB via microSD). Its big RAM can accommodate a multitude of tasks at the same time, along with keeping multiple apps open. Meanwhile, its large storage can store at least 860 TV Series episodes, 53,760 songs, or 53,760 photos (based on an average of 250MB for each 720p HD video episode, and 4MB for each song or photo). You can also install up to 70 mobile games (based on an average of 3GB per app).
Its base 8GB RAM can go up to 16GB Total RAM with the RAM Expansion feature, which uses up to 8GB of the phone's onboard storage to act as Virtual RAM to enhance total performance and overall multitasking. To extend the RAM of realme C63, go to Settings > About phone > RAM, toggle on the switch button for RAM expansion, and choose one of the options: 4GB, 6GB, or 8 GB. Restart the phone to save changes.
Moreover, realme C63 is powered by a Unisoc T612 octa-core processor (clocked up to 1.82GHz) that provides sufficient power efficiency in its price segment. It allows dual standby (two 4G SIM Cards). The chipset has also been maximized by realme to accommodate the device's high-resolution camera, 90Hz refresh rate, and capacity to utilize Dynamic RAM Expansion (DRE).
In the test I conducted, realme C63 managed to handle various famous games like Mobile Legends (MLBB), Honor of Kings (HOK), and LoL Wild Rift (WR) with minimal frame drops. I was able to play all these mobile MOBA games smoothly at 60 frames per second (fps). Temperature records peaked at 37 degrees Celsius, which is still impressive, given that I used the phone in a room without an air conditioner. The connection is also stable, with no lag or crashes. Note that all games were played in the 'Ultra' setting via Game Space.
For connectivity, it has a 4G LTE connection, dual nano SIM slot, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, USB OTG, and GPS. Its WiFi also supports the 'Smart internet connection' feature, which automatically switches between WiFi and mobile data for a seamless network experience. To enable this, go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet > Network preferences > Smart internet connection and toggle on the switch button for Wi-Fi+.
Connected to a 300 Mbps WiFi connection, the smartphone only recorded 230 Mbps of internet speed, which is still fast.
realme C63 packs a massive 5,000mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging via USB-C. According to realme, the 45W SUPERVOOC Charge technology has TÜV Rheinland Safe Fast-Charge System Certification, 38 safety protections, four-core chip protection, intelligent charging algorithms, and PD support. You can get a 20% charge in 10 minutes, 50% in 30 minutes, and 100% in 79 minutes. You can get 1-hour worth of voice calls in just 1 minute of charging.
For further elaboration, realme C63's charging system is equipped with charging algorithms such as the VCVT Intelligent Tuning Algorithm, which automatically adjusts voltage and current for improved charging performance. It also features a VFC Trickle Charging Algorithm that slows down charging at the last 10 percent to conserve battery health. FFC Charging is paired with this to improve charging efficiency between 90 to 100 percent. It also comes with 38 Safety Protections to guarantee safe and fast charging from all components, including the charger, data cable, charging interface and circuit, and the battery. It also has charging technologies that help the device learn the user's habits and sleeping patterns to optimize by slowing down or stopping charging for protection and helping conserve battery health and battery aging. Further, it has an "Extreme Cold Mode" that intelligently detects ambient temperatures around the phone, such as 0°C or below when plugged in, to increase the temperature to at least 10°C for an improved charging experience. It is also certified by TÜV Rheinland to remain safe and fast in charging speed without any problems of overheating, short circuits, and other concerns like drops and impact.
With regards to the realme C63 battery charging test, I've conducted three sets of tests. Note that it has a 5000 mAh battery and supports 45W wired charging.
- First scenario: Initial usage.
- Charging time from 30 to 100 percent: around 1 hour
- Second scenario: Undergone hard reset using recovery mode.
- Charging time from 30 to 100 percent: around 2 hours
- Third scenario: Undergone factory reset/soft reset.
- Charging time from 30 to 100 percent: around 1 hour
Based on the results, charging time became slower when I performed a hard reset compared to a factory reset. I must say that this strange experiment got me thinking that it is safer and better to perform a factory reset via the phone's settings (System > Reset options > Erase all data) than a hard reset via the Android Recovery Mode (power off > home button pressed for 3 seconds + volume button).
To drain the battery to 30 percent, I did a video loop test, which recorded a screen-on-time (SOT) of 12 hours. That's very tough. Its software optimizations, trimmed-down UI, power-efficient chipset, and backlight power saving can be attributed to this long usage time.
When it comes to software, realme C63 runs on realme UI based on the Android 14 operating system. As per realme, it is a scaled-down version of the full realme UI versions 4.0 and 5.0 to benefit Unisoc-based devices. The user interface is clean and easy to understand and is paired with features for personalization, customizability, and safety and security.
The software highlights Real Essentials (a set of built-in hardware and software features for a hassle-free user experience), which are as follows:
- AI Noise Reduction: An advanced feature that reduces background noise to enhance the clarity of conversations during phone calls, which is helpful, especially when taking calls in very noisy environments. This item can be found under the Settings menu under "Special Features" named "AI Noise Reduction Call," along with a live demo of audio when turned off versus turned on.
- Air Gestures: Uses the selfie camera on low power in order to identify hand gestures with AI Algorithms and perform given actions such as swiping up and down. Gestures include palm and hand recognition from a distance of 20cm up to 40cm, then hand-swings up or down to swipe.
- Dynamic Button: Enables custom-mapping on the power button for either a double-tap or double-press to activate or open an intended function or application. The latest version of this on the realme C63 has been updated to allow a swipe or slide of the finger up or down to do three specific actions. This function can also be mapped to toggle screen-off settings such as toggle for "Silent / Ring / Vibrant" or "Do Not Disturb." Dynamic Button can be customized from the Settings Menu under "Special Features."
- Mini Capsule 2.0: Uses an expanding animation from the selfie camera notch in the shape of a pill at the top of the screen to indicate certain notifications and toggles. There are 6 functions total, inclusive of the following: Charging & Battery Status / Data Usage / Step Tracking / Weather Notifications / Event Reminders / Music Playback Control.
- Rainwater Smart Touch: Using algorithms – allows the display to stay at least 96% accuracy even when the display is wet with droplets or water or mist. It also allows a proper register of clicks and swipes, even with wet or moist hands.
- 1 Nit Brightness (Customized Lowest Brightness): Allows the display to go down in brightness by as low as 1 Nit for less strain on the eyes of the user, especially in low-light conditions. Allows the user to use their phone in dark rooms with ease so as not to disturb people around them who might be sleeping in the same area or watching movies at a cinema.
- AI Boost: Allows the user to to choose between Smooth Boost or Game Boost to let the phone prioritize between overall productivity or gaming performance. Smooth Boost makes the phone prioritize multi-tasking capabilities by optimizing memory usage for optimizing apps, app launch times, touch response, and memory usage. Game Boost lets the user set the Minimum CPU Frequency and Minimum DDR Frequency to allow an optimized and improved gaming experience.
- Riding Mode: Shows an app window that's easy to navigate and allows users to access Google Maps, Music Apps, Contacts, and Google Dialer for ease of use when riding motorcycles or driving. Do Not Disturb (while riding) can be calibrated to set preferences like who to allow calls from, set a riding speed when receiving calls to auto-block for less distraction, ring for repeated calls and set plus send an auto-reply for easy responses. Banner notifications can also be blocked.
I've tested realme C63's AI Boost on the three games I played (MLBB, HOK, and WR), and it enhanced the device's performance. Frame drops were lesser, especially when fierce team clashes occur.
Thanks to the realme Lab 48-Month Fluency Certification, the realme C63 will keep performing at its top even after four years of use. In addition to hardware and software optimizations, it comes with up to three years of security updates and two major operating system upgrades.
Antutu Score
I used Antutu Benchmark app version 10.2.9 to test the performance of realme C63, which took 15 minutes to complete.
The phone reached 259,445 points in the Antutu Benchmark. Here's the breakdown of its Antutu score: 91,813 (CPU), 23,501 (GPU), 73,087 (MEM), and 71,044 (UX). Initial temperature records were 36.2 degrees Celsius (for battery) and 39.8 degrees Celsius (for CPU). Final temperature records were 38 degrees Celsius (for battery) and 46.8 degrees Celsius (for CPU).
Camera Quality
- realme C63 dual rear camera system:
- 50MP f/1.8 main camera
- Secondary lens (Flicker Camera)
- realme C63 single selfie camera:
- 8MP f/2.0
The rear camera module holds a 50-megapixel main shooter with a FoV of 80° and a Focal Length of 25mm. This camera is capable of taking 50MP Full Resolutions shots and can record video at up to 1080p @30fps. It's paired with a variety of features embedded into realme UI, such as Portrait Mode, Night Mode, Dedicated Filters, and Dedicated Watermarks, with a wide selection of customization options. The main rear camera above is paired with a secondary lens that can be called a "Flicker Camera"; it acts as a Light Sensor for detecting ambient lighting and improving shots in low light situations.
A front-facing 8-megapixel camera is found at the display's notch. It has a FoV of 78° and an aperture of f/2.0. This also supports video recording of up to 720p @30fps.
Check out the photos I have captured with realme C63 using the phone's default camera settings.
Final Thoughts
With its attractive features and affordable price, realme C63 can stand out in the entry-level segment. It has a big 6.7-inch 90Hz HD+ display, durable build (thanks to Weather Proof Design), slim and lightweight design (7.74mm in thickness), IP54 rating (for dust and water resistance), Rainwater Smart Touch (responsive touch even with wet fingers or wet display), a myriad of helpful AI-powered features, smooth performance, a 200% UltraBoom Speaker, and decent cameras.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly and quality phone that can keep up with daily wear and tear, the realme C63 phone could be a good option for you. Worry no more about minor scratches, stains, or spills.
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