The Realme C63 5G is a mid-range smartphone aimed at offering high-speed 5G connectivity, solid performance, and a budget-friendly price tag. With a large screen, fast charging, and a sleek design, it promises to appeal to users seeking an affordable yet feature-rich smartphone. However, as is often the case with budget devices, the C63 5G has its share of common issues, bugs, and performance concerns that can impact its overall appeal.
In this detailed article, we’ll delve into the typical problems users face with the Realme C63 5G, providing insight into potential software, hardware, and usability challenges. Additionally, we’ll analyze whether this phone is worth the investment, considering its competition from other similarly priced devices in the market.
1. Build Quality and Design: Aesthetically Pleasing, But Fragile
The Realme C63 5G offers an attractive design with a large 6.72-inch IPS LCD display, slim profile, and modern aesthetics that look more premium than the phone’s price might suggest. However, like many budget smartphones, the build quality is a bit of a letdown.
a) Plastic Build and Scratches
- Problem: The C63 5G features a plastic back and frame, which are prone to scratches and scuffs over time, even with minimal use.
- Cause: The use of plastic in construction is a cost-saving measure, but it comes with the downside of easily showing signs of wear.
- Impact: This diminishes the overall durability of the device and its ability to maintain a fresh, new look.
- User Experience:
“After a few days of use, the back of the phone is already showing noticeable scratches. It feels like the plastic just attracts scuffs easily.” – User review on Amazon.
b) Weak Glass Protection
- Problem: Despite having Gorilla Glass 3 for protection, some users report that the glass is not as resistant to scratches and impacts as expected.
- Impact: Frequent drops or even accidental brush-ups against rough surfaces can result in visible damage to the screen.
- User Experience:
“I dropped my phone from waist height, and the screen cracked. I thought Gorilla Glass would be more durable.” – Comment on a tech forum.
2. Display Issues: Bright, But Lacking Clarity
The 6.72-inch IPS LCD display of the Realme C63 5G offers a large, vibrant screen ideal for consuming media and browsing. However, users have reported a few display-related issues that affect the viewing experience.
a) Color Accuracy and Contrast
- Problem: Despite the large screen size, some users have complained about the lack of color accuracy and poor contrast, especially in outdoor usage.
- Cause: The IPS LCD panel is often unable to deliver the level of vibrancy and sharpness offered by more premium AMOLED panels.
- Impact: Colors appear washed out in bright lighting conditions, and blacks lack depth, making content look less sharp.
- User Experience:
“The colors look a bit dull, and the screen is hard to see outside in the sunlight. It’s not the best display for media consumption.” – User review on GSMArena.
b) Screen Flickering at Low Brightness
- Problem: Some users have noticed screen flickering when setting the brightness to low, particularly in darker environments.
- Impact: This can cause eye strain and disrupt the smooth visual experience, making the phone uncomfortable to use in low-light conditions.
- User Experience:
“I can’t use my phone at night without feeling like my eyes are being strained. The screen flickers when dimmed, and it’s incredibly distracting.” – Review from a customer on Reddit.
3. Performance and Software: Decent, But Not Flawless
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7020 chipset and up to 6GB of RAM, the Realme C63 5G is designed to offer smooth multitasking and 5G speeds. However, users have encountered several performance-related issues that affect the device’s responsiveness.
a) Lag and App Freezing
- Problem: One of the most common complaints is that the phone experiences lag and app freezing during light to moderate use, particularly when switching between apps or loading heavy content.
- Cause: This issue could be a result of under-optimization of the software, particularly with heavy apps and multitasking.
- Impact: Users may find the phone slower than expected, detracting from its otherwise smooth interface.
- User Experience:
“The phone lags when opening apps like Instagram or Facebook. Even simple tasks like scrolling through web pages can cause stuttering.” – User feedback on a tech review site.
b) Software Bloat and Pre-installed Apps
- Problem: The phone comes pre-loaded with several bloatware apps, many of which cannot be uninstalled, occupying valuable storage space.
- Impact: This eats up internal storage and can potentially slow down the phone over time, especially as updates roll in.
- User Experience:
“There are so many pre-installed apps that I can’t delete. I don’t need them, and they’re just taking up space.” – Comment from a Realme user on a forum.
c) ColorOS Glitches
- Problem: Realme’s ColorOS skin, which runs on top of Android 13, is generally praised for being user-friendly but has its share of bugs.
- Impact: Some users report system glitches, such as the UI failing to respond to taps or occasional crashes when navigating through settings.
- User Experience:
“The UI sometimes stops responding, and I have to restart the phone to get it back to normal. It’s annoying when I’m in the middle of something important.” – Review on Android Authority.
4. Battery Life: Solid, But Underwhelming
The Realme C63 5G features a 5000mAh battery, promising a full day of use even with 5G connectivity. However, the battery life does not always meet expectations.
a) Battery Drain While Idle
- Problem: Many users have reported that the phone’s battery drains faster than expected, especially when it’s left idle or on standby overnight.
- Cause: This could be linked to background apps or notifications, which continue to consume power when the device is not actively in use.
- Impact: This could require users to charge the device more often than anticipated, reducing convenience.
- User Experience:
“The battery loses about 10-15% overnight even when I’m not using it. That’s not what I expect from a phone at this price.” – Feedback from a customer on Amazon.
b) Slow Charging Speeds
- Problem: Despite supporting 33W fast charging, some users have reported that the charging speeds are slower than expected.
- Impact: This could be due to compatibility issues with charging cables or the charging brick, resulting in longer wait times to get a full charge.
- User Experience:
“The phone charges pretty slowly. It says 33W fast charging, but it still takes over an hour to charge fully.” – Comment from a Realme customer.
5. Camera Performance: Good for Daylight, But Lacks in Low Light
The 50MP primary camera on the Realme C63 5G is a solid offering in its price range, capable of capturing sharp, detailed images during the day. However, users have highlighted several camera-related problems.
a) Low-Light Performance
- Problem: The camera struggles to capture good-quality photos in low light, producing noisy, blurry images.
- Cause: The camera’s sensor and software processing may not be optimized for low-light environments, which is common in budget phones.
- Impact: Users may find their photos lack detail and are often unusable in dimly lit settings.
- User Experience:
“In low light, the camera just can’t keep up. Photos come out grainy and soft. It’s a real letdown.” – Review from a user on GSMArena.
b) Over-Saturation of Colors
- Problem: Some users have noted that the colors in photos often appear over-saturated and unrealistic, particularly when using the wide-angle lens.
- Impact: This results in images that feel artificial and may not accurately represent the scene.
- User Experience:
“The colors look way too intense, even for normal daylight shots. It makes everything look like a filter was applied.” – Feedback on a tech blog.
Conclusion: Is the Realme C63 5G Worth the Investment?
The Realme C63 5G offers a solid feature set for those looking for a budget-friendly 5G smartphone. With its large display, 5G capabilities, and decent camera performance, it ticks many boxes for users seeking an affordable yet functional device. However, the performance issues, build quality concerns, and camera limitations may be enough to steer some buyers toward alternatives.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly 5G connectivity.
- Large, vibrant display.
- Solid camera performance in good lighting conditions.
- Decent battery life with fast charging.
Cons:
- Build quality feels cheap and prone to scratches.
- Performance lags and app freezing.
- Low-light camera performance needs improvement.
- Slow charging and battery drain while idle.
Alternatives to Consider:
- Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G: Offers a more polished performance, a better camera, and improved overall durability.
- Realme Narzo 60 5G: A better alternative for those seeking a more premium feel at a similar price.
- Samsung Galaxy A14 5G: Offers better overall performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
Verdict: If you're on a tight budget and need a 5G phone with decent performance for everyday use, the Realme C63 5G is a solid choice. However, if you value long-term durability, better camera performance, or smoother overall performance, it may be worth exploring other options in the same price range.