Who would have thought that we’d live to see the time when scrolling through your smartphone without needing to touch the screen would become possible? Not only that, but this feature—along with many others—is already available in an entry-level device that costs below Php 10,000! Now available in the Philippines, the realme C65 is setting a new standard for budget smartphones by offering “Real Essential” functionalities like Air Gestures, Rainwater Smart Touch, and AI Boost to a wider audience. But is it purely a gimmick or something really handy? We spent two weeks with the realme C65 to see if it would fit the lifestyle of a working millennial with a busy schedule.

Design and Display

The realme C65 sports a sleek and youthful vibe, with the Starlight Purple appealing to women and younger users, while the Starlight Black variant for those who prefer a lowkey matte design. Similar to older models of realme smartphones, the realme C65 Starlight Purple has a glossy finish with silver dots that look like fine lines — resembling star trails when viewed at certain angles. It could’ve been the reason why they call it “Starlight Purple”. While it’s not a fingerprint magnet, I do recommend using the clear case just to preserve the beauty of its glass panel. Its slim profile and lightweight build at only 185g also make it comfortable to hold and use with one hand.

At the back of the smartphone, you’ll find the camera module on the upper left corner and a subtle realme branding on the lower left of the device. On the left side, you’ll find two nano-SIM card slots and a microSD slot for more storage space. Over on the right, you’ll find the volume rocker and power button which doubles as lock/fingerprint scanner. At the bottom, there’s a 3.5mm audio port for our cable-loving millennials, a USB Type-C port, and speaker grilles.

In front, the realme C65 features a 6.72-inch FHD+ display with a resolution of 1080×2400 pixels, offering clear colors and crisp visuals even at different viewing angles. While the resolution might not match that of higher-end models, it provides a decent viewing experience for everyday tasks such as browsing, streaming, and light gaming. The 91.40% screen-to-body ratio is also not bad for its price as it provides an immersive experience whether you’re watching videos or playing games. There’s also a secondary speaker on top of the front camera!

I also appreciate how the unit also comes with a screen protector because just within the first 24 hours, I accidentally dropped it, causing a scratch on the protector. The unit is still in ship-shape, though! With IP54 rating, it has also proven its strength against dust and water. I’m not surprised because the realme C65 takes pride in its Rainwater Smart Touch feature so it’s only fitting to have such rating!

Cameras

While it may seem like the realme C65 has a triple camera setup at the back, it actually only has two – a 50MP AI camera and 2MP. The primary 50MP camera captures detailed photos when under good lighting conditions, while the 2MP depth sensor enhances portrait shots with bokeh effects. It’s good enough for its price range, considering that it comes with camera features that are not commonly available in entry-level smartphones. This include Night Mode with zoom, Street Mode, Hi-Res, Pro, Panorama, and Tilt-Shift. For videos, it’s capable of shooting 720p and 1080p in 30fps – good enough for social media uploads. There’s also Movie, Slo-Mo, and Time-lapse for more artistic shots.

As for the selfie camera, the 8MP front camera performs best under bright lights when it comes to selfies and video calls. Though it may not compete with mid-range devices in low-light conditions, the camera system on the realme C65 is suitable for casual photography and social media sharing. It’s something that students and your not-too-tech-savvy elders would find useful.

Storage and Performance

Under the hood, the realme C65 is powered by a MediaTek Helio G85 processor paired with 8GB of internal storage and up to 8GB Dynamic RAM Expansion. This combination ensures smooth performance for daily tasks and moderate gaming while ensuring power efficiency. The device comes with 256GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot, providing ample space for apps, photos, and media. That’s already enough for at least 860 episodes of your TV series or 53,760 photos! The inclusion of the AI Boost also feature enhances performance by optimizing resources for demanding applications, ensuring a seamless user experience.

As someone who works most of the week, the realme C65 was able to keep up with my 9-6 job while keeping me entertained in between. Running multiple apps are okay, as long as the file isn’t too heavy. I’ve experienced my Pokemon Unite lagging from time to time but it runs hypercasual games (Tetris, Pop the Bubble, word games) and the likes of Sim City smoothly.

Battery

With 5000mAh battery, the realme C65 is able to run for 6.4 hours on Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and 22.7 hours of chatting on WhatsApp. This is just to give you an idea on how long the battery will last. For an average worker like me who prioritizes social media apps (Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube), chat apps (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger) and productivity apps (Excel sheet, Word, and PowerPoint viewer), it’s able to stay powered up for an average of 10 hours. This smartphone also supports 45W SUPERVOOC fast charging, allowing users to quickly charge up when needed.

Real Essential Features

Although I’ve already highlighted this in my previous writeup, let me quickly go through other features that make the realme C65 somewhat special for an entry-level device. These “Real Essential” features are actually rare finds in this price segment:

• Air Gestures: Enables users to navigate apps without touching the screen — a convenient feature for times when your hands are full or dirty.
• Dynamic Button: A customizable button that provides quick access to frequently used functions and apps.
• Mini Capsule 2.0: Displays important notifications and battery status in a non-intrusive manner.
• Rainwater Smart Touch: Ensures the touchscreen remains responsive even when wet, a handy during the rainy season.

• Smart Code Scan: Quickly scan QR codes without needing to open the camera or a QR scanner. The camera automatically detects when a QR is in front of it.
• Customized Lowest Brightness: Adjusts the screen brightness to extremely low levels for comfortable viewing in dark environments without straining your eyes.
• AI Boost: Enhances the device’s performance by intelligently managing resources for smoother multitasking and gaming.
• Riding Mode: A safety feature that silences notifications and reduces distractions while you’re driving or riding a bike.

Price & Perks

The realme C65 is now available in the Philippines at Php 9,999 SRP, making it a good choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a feature-rich smartphone. It can be bought for a lower price range, though! realme often offers promotional discounts and bundle deals, especially during online sales and holidays, making the C65 even more accessible.

In my opinion, the realme C65 sets a new benchmark for entry-level smartphones with its unique features typically found in higher-end devices. With its performance, long battery life, and innovative “Real Essential” features, it’s worth considering for those seeking an affordable yet versatile smartphone.

---

For updates on our latest discoveries within (and outside) the Metro, don’t forget to follow Manila Millennial on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram. Keep safe, everyone!