Realme C61 Detailed Specs and Prices
Looking for a budget-friendly phone that keeps pace with your day? This realme C61 review covers everything you need to know. From design to performance, camera to battery, find out if the realme C61 is right for you—and who should look elsewhere.
1. Introduction
The realme C61 launched on June 28, 2024. It sits in the sub-₹10,000 segment. Despite the low price, it offers a solid feature set. You get a large 90 Hz display, a massive 5000 mAh battery, and an IP54-rated build. This realme C61 review aims to help you decide if this phone suits your needs.
With choices of 4 GB or 6 GB RAM (plus virtual RAM boost), 64 GB to 256 GB storage, and up to 12 GB of dynamic RAM, the C61 covers the basics well. It runs Android 14 with Realme UI 5.0. Its Unisoc Tiger T612 chipset handles daily tasks and light gaming.
But it is not perfect. The HD+ display lacks the sharpness of FHD+ panels. Charging speeds top out at just 10–15 W. And the camera delivers only average results in low light. This review dives deep into these points, so you know exactly what to expect.
Design and Build Quality
Look and Feel
- Dimensions: 167.3 × 76.7 × 7.8 mm
- Weight: 187 g
- Body: Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
The realme C61 feels solid and well-balanced. At just 7.8 mm thick, it fits comfortably in one hand. The matte finish on the back helps resist fingerprints and smudges. Colors include Safari Green and Marble Black in India, plus Sparkle Gold and Dark Green globally.
Durability
- IP54 dust and splash resistance
- ArmorShell Protection
An IP54 rating is rare in this price range. It means the phone can handle light rain, splashes, and dust. Realme’s ArmorShell design adds textured accents at the corners for added grip and impact protection. If you work outdoors or rarely worry about spills, this build adds peace of mind.
Ports and Buttons
- USB Type-C 2.0 port
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Volume rocker and power button
All keys sit on the right edge and click sharply. The side fingerprint scanner unlocks in under 0.3 seconds. You also get face unlock via the front camera. A dedicated SIM tray on the left handles two Nano-SIM cards plus a microSD card for storage expansion up to 2 TB.
Display and Multimedia
Screen Basics
- Size: 6.74 inches
- Resolution: 720 × 1600 pixels (HD+)
- Panel Type: IPS LCD
- Refresh Rate: 90 Hz
- Brightness: 450 nits (typical), 560 nits (HBM)
The standout is the 90 Hz refresh rate. It makes scrolling, animations, and gaming feel much smoother than standard 60 Hz screens. Colors appear punchy for an IPS panel, with good contrast and viewing angles. The HD+ resolution means you can spot pixels on close inspection, but for daily use—social media, videos, web browsing—it works well.
Outdoor Visibility
With up to 560 nits in high-brightness mode, the C61’s screen remains legible under sunlight. It auto-adjusts brightness quickly when you step outdoors. For reading articles, watching videos, or navigating maps, you won’t struggle with glare.
Multimedia Experience
- Single bottom-firing speaker
- 3.5 mm audio jack
The single speaker gets loud enough for a small room but lacks deep bass. Plug in wired headphones for a fuller sound. Streaming video on YouTube or Netflix looks good at HD quality. The 90 Hz mode also applies to supported apps and games.
Performance and RAM Management
Chipset and CPU
- Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (2×1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 + 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Mali-G57
The Unisoc Tiger T612 pairs well with 4–6 GB RAM. For everyday tasks—chats, browsing, video calls, light gaming—the phone feels responsive. App launch times are quick, and the UI remains smooth thanks to the 90 Hz display.
RAM and Storage Options
- RAM: 4 GB or 6 GB + up to 12 GB virtual RAM
- Storage: 64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB (expandable via microSD)
- Storage Type: eMMC 5.1
Realme’s Dynamic RAM feature uses free storage to boost RAM by up to 12 GB. You can run more apps in the background before needing to reload. Storage speeds are average for eMMC 5.1 but suffice for daily tasks and media.
Gaming Performance
Casual games like Subway Surfers or Candy Crush run flawlessly at 90 Hz. Even PUBG Mobile Lite and Call of Duty Mobile on medium settings deliver around 30–40 fps. For heavy 3D titles, you may need to drop graphics to low settings to maintain smooth play.
Camera Performance
Rear Camera Setup
- 32 MP f/1.8 (India) or 50 MP f/1.8 (Global)
- 0.08 MP depth sensor
Front Camera
- 5 MP f/2.2
Photo Quality
- Daylight: Sharp, colorful shots with good detail. The 50 MP main sensor captures more texture.
- Portrait Mode: Decent edge detection, pleasing background blur.
- Low Light: Noticeable noise, but Night Mode boosts brightness at the cost of detail.
Video Recording
- Rear: 1080p@30 fps, 720p@30 fps
- Front: 720p@30 fps
The video is stable enough for casual clips but lacks optical image stabilization. Audio recording is loud but picks up background noise.
Battery Life and Charging
Capacity and Endurance
- Battery: 5000 mAh
- Usage: Up to 2 days of mixed use
The huge battery is the realme C61’s strongest point. With mixed usage—calls, social media, video streaming—you can go a full day and a half with ease. Light users may stretch to two days.
Charging Speed
- 10 W charger (India), 15 W charger (Global)
- Reverse charging capability
Charging from 0–100% takes about 2.5 hours with the included charger. It’s not fast, but if you plug in overnight or during work breaks, you’ll start the next day with a full tank. Reverse charging lets you share power with another phone or accessory in a pinch.
Software and User Experience
Operating System
- Android 14
- Realme UI 5.0
The UI is clean and offers useful features without bloat. You get:
- Mini Capsule Widgets: Quick info at a glance.
- Game Space: Boosts performance and blocks notifications.
- Air Gestures & Motion Controls: Use hand waves to control music or answer calls.
Frequent security patches and Android updates keep the phone safe. You also get Realme’s suite of wallpapers, themes, and customizable icons.
Connectivity and Audio
- SIM: Dual Nano-SIM with Dual 4G & VoLTE
- Wi-Fi: Dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth: 5.0 (A2DP, SBC, AAC, LDAC)
- GPS: GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo
- NFC: Not available
- FM Radio: No
Call quality is clear on both ends. VoLTE ensures HD voice on supported networks. Hotspot and tethering work reliably. The lack of NFC means no contactless payments out of the box.
Security Features
- Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted, fast and accurate.
- Face Unlock: Uses front camera, works in good light.
Both work reliably under normal conditions. Fingerprint is more secure and works in darkness. Face unlock can misfire in low light or extreme angles.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Long-lasting 5000 mAh battery
- 90 Hz smooth display
- Durable IP54-rated design
- Virtual RAM up to 12 GB
- Affordable starting price
Cons
- Low HD+ resolution
- Slow 10–15 W charging
- No NFC or FM radio
- Average low-light camera
- Plastic frame and back
Who Should Buy
- Students needing long battery for online classes and entertainment.
- Budget shoppers seeking a reliable daily driver.
- Light gamers who value smooth display over max graphics.
- Outdoor workers wanting dust and splash resistance.
Who Should Skip
- Mobile gamers wanting high frame rates and intense 3D graphics.
- Photography enthusiasts craving flagship-level camera results.
- Power users running heavy multitasking or video editing apps.
- NFC users who need contactless payments.
Best For: Key Use Case
Best for Battery Life & Daily Use
If you need a phone that runs all day on a single charge, the realme C61 is unmatched at this price. Its 5000 mAh battery, combined with efficient hardware and a 90 Hz display, means you’ll rarely hunt for a charger.
FAQ
Q: Can realme C61 run PUBG Mobile?
A: Yes, on low to medium settings at around 30–40 fps.
Q: Does it support expandable storage?
A: Yes, via microSD up to 2 TB.
Q: How durable is the phone?
A: It has IP54 splash resistance and ArmorShell protection.
Q: Is the display good for reading?
A: Yes, 90 Hz makes text smoother, though resolution is HD+.
Q: Can it handle video calls all day?
A: Absolutely. The 5000 mAh battery keeps you going through long video calls.
With its strong battery, smooth screen, and solid build, the realme C61 stands out in the budget segment. It may not wow with high-end cameras or super-fast charging, but it delivers all the essentials reliably. For anyone who needs an all-day companion without overspending, this realme C61 review confirms it’s a worthy choice.