INTRODUCTION:
When realme entered the Philippine market in 2018, it did so with the budget-friendly realme C1. Years and numerous releases later, the brand now brings the realme C85 5G—proof of how far its mid-range, relatively affordable lineup has evolved. Here's a closer look at what if offers.
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| realme C85 5G |
DURABILITY:
Marketed as an “ultra-waterproof” device, the realme C85 5G balances durability without sacrificing design. According to realme, the smartphone carries not just one or two, but four durability certifications—IP69K, IP69, IP68, and IP66—signifying comprehensive protection against dust and even high-pressure water jets.
Beyond splash resistance, realme engineered the C85 5G to withstand water submersion, surviving depths of up to 6 meters for 30 minutes and up to 60 days at a depth of 0.5 meters. As freediving and other water activities grow in popularity, the realme C85 5G positions itself as an affordable option for underwater photography and videography.
Read: Top Features that Make the realme C85 5G a Good Buy at P14,999
realme also went all out on water resistance, claiming the realme C85 5G can withstand exposure to 36 different liquids. These range from natural water sources such as rainwater, river water, lake water, spring water, well water, melted snow, dew, and even glacial water; to beverages and food liquids including juice, tea, coffee, soda water, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, beer, wine, sake, rice wine, yellow wine, and white liquor.
The list extends to dairy products like milk and yogurt; liquid seasonings such as vinegar, soy sauce, and cooking oil; soups and broths including meat broth, vegetable juice, and curry; as well as household and cleaning liquids like soapy water, laundry water, dishwater, shower gel water, shampoo, mouthwash, and makeup remover. The phone is even rated to endure exposure to industrial liquids such as gasoline.
DESIGN:
Despite its rugged build, the realme C85 5G still looks striking. Our review unit comes in Peacock Green, featuring subtle feather-inspired patterns that lend the device a premium, refined aesthetic. We also appreciate how realme treated the rear panel to resist fingerprints and smudges, allowing the design details to stand out. Rounded corners further soften the look, making the realme C85 5G easy on the eyes and comfortable to hold.
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| The realme C85 5G in Peacock Green with feather drawings. |
Related: Realme C85 5G - the New Budget Endurance Champion
Sitting alongside the cameras is the realme C85 5G's design highlight: the Pulse Light. This circular LED light glows in customizable colors to signal notifications, battery status, alarms, camera countdowns, and even syncs with music. What makes the Pulse Light especially impressive is its smart power management – it only activates when needed and automatically switches off when the phone is placed face down, tucked in a pocket, or set to battery-saving mode.
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| The realme C85 5G has a Pulse Light. |
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realme C85 5G Pulse Light
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DISPLAY:
The realme C85 5G features a 6.8-inch display that serves as a generous digital canvas – well-suited for productive multitasking and binge-watching. One caveat we noticed early on is its entry-level-style bezels, particularly the pronounced chin. While not especially distracting in daily use, it does slightly detract from the smartphone's otherwise premium feel.
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| realme C85 5G screen |
We would have liked to see realme step up the HD+ LCD display on the C85 5G. The limited sharpness is especially noticeable on the phone's expansive screen, making the visuals feel less crisp than expected for its price segment.
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| Prominent bezels on the realme C85 5G |
Apart from its leveled-up water resistance, the realme C85 5G performs well outdoors, with a 1,200-nit peak brightness that keeps the screen visible even under intense sunlight.
PERFORMANCE:
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300, the realme C85 5G handles everyday tasks like social media, work apps, and streaming reasonably well – though with some caveats. To maintain smooth performance, it helps to keep background apps to a minimum, a simple trick that can prevent occasional hiccups.
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| realme C85 5G internals |
Gaming on the realme C85 5G is adequate for most casual players. Popular mobile games run smoothly, as long as graphics are set to moderate levels.
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| realme C85 5G benchmark results |
See also: realme GT 7T Review; The Flagship Killer To Beat?
If you're after the look and feel of Apple's Liquid Glass without leaving Android, the realme C85 5G delivers. Its Fluid Glass control panel, part of realme UI 6.0 on Android 15, offers a sleek, clean, and modern interface.
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| realme C85 5G Fluid Glass design |
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| realme C85 5G Fluid Glass |
CAMERAS:
The realme C85 5G's camera setup is adequate but unremarkable. Its 50MP main lens performs well in bright lighting, yet low-light shots reveal clear limitations. We also encountered instances where the realme C85 5G struggled to lock focus, even on clearly defined subjects. You can check sample photos at TeknoGadyet's Facebook page.
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| realme C85 5G triple cameras |
Aside from the usual shooting modes, the realme C85 5G includes Tilt-Shift, a creative option that automatically blurs parts of an image. The result is a shallow depth-of-field effect that works well for city scenes, architecture, and artistic shots.
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| realme C85 5G camera UI |
The realme C85 5G also features an Underwater camera mode, which activates dedicated quick controls for easier shooting while submerged. In this mode, the volume up button captures photos, volume down starts video recording and switches between the front and rear cameras, while the power button turns the screen off or exits Underwater mode – making it more convenient to shoot without relying on touch controls.
Related: realme 15T 5G Sleek Design Meets 7000mAh Power for Only Php12,869
When it comes to AI features, the realme C85 5G highlights AI Edit Genie, which allows the system to analyze a photo and automatically apply adjustments it deems necessary. In our sample below, the AI chose to sharpen the image – a decision made based on its own assessment of the scene.
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| AI Edit Genie on the realme C85 |
BATTERY:
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| The realme C85 5G comes with a 45W SUPERVOOC charger, along with other items. |
We’ve saved the best for last—and for the realme C85 5G, it’s all about battery life. Its massive 7,000mAh battery powered us through not just one or two, but up to three full days of moderate use on a single charge. This endurance is backed by its PCMark Work 3.0 battery life score of 30 hours and 22 minutes, finishing the test with 17% battery still remaining.
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| realme C85 5G PCMark Work 3.0 battery life score |
CONCLUSION:
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| realme C85 5G |
Priced at PhP 14,999, the realme C85 5G targets users with a very specific priority: a smartphone built for durability, paired with exceptional battery life. However, while it delivers on these fronts, its otherwise decent performance may not be enough for users seeking a more well-rounded experience.