Realme C61 : Realme’s C-series has always been targeted at providing good value smartphones to people who need the basics without necessarily overpaying. One more element seems to have been included to this formula with the Realme C61: ruggedness.
The device brings some of the features we don’t usually get in the sub-₹9,000 price bracket, including IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance, all without compromising on decent hardware and design.
So, does the Realme C61 qualify as a dependable daily driver? Here’s a closer look at what it includes.
Design: Strong and Stylish
The Realme C61 doesn’t shout budget in your face at first glance. METAL at the back, curved sides and minimal design language make it look more costlier.
What makes it different is its IP54 rating, which makes it resistant to light splashes and dust—a big plus for people living in unpredictable weather systems, and who may use their phones rough and rugged.
The dual rear camera is also similar to the contemporary dual-lens setup we’ve seen in flagship phones, and with a simple fingerprint sensor mounted on the side. The phone comes in attractive color options, including Marble Black and Safari Green.
Display: Decent at this price
For the display, the Realme C61 comes equipped with a 6.52-inch HD+ IPS LCD screen with a 90Hz refresh rate.
At 720p, it might not be the sharpest display, but you get decent color reproduction and brightness for casual applications such as video streaming and web browsing.
The high refresh rate makes scrolling feel smoother, particularly in apps such as Instagram or Facebook. It’s a nice (for its class) screen: clear, responsive, and comfortable for long reading.
Performance: Good for All of Your Daily Needs
The device is powered by the Unisoc T612 chipset, paired with 4GB/6GB RAM and 128GB inbuilt storage. Now while it is not for the power users or hardcore gamers, you can do basic tasks, like making a phone call, using messaging, going into social media and also to watch videos, it pulls that quite well.
Light games such as Subway Surfers and Free Fire work without lag. And then there’s Realme’s Dynamic RAM expansion feature, which can increase virtual RAM by up to 6GB to help with smoother multitasking.
Software: Clean and Familiar
The Realme C61 comes pre-installed with Realme UI T Edition which is based on Android 14 Go Edition.
The software skin is light in touch and sparse in bloat. The app launch time feels fine, easy task switch and transitions also work well thanks to the optimized user interface.
The user experience feels premium even though it’s an entry-level device, thanks to perks like smart sidebar, gesture navigation and dark mode. But don’t expect advanced features, like the app cloner or custom animations.
Camera: Decent for Daylight Snaps
On the back there’s a 32MP AI main camera with a second lens for portrait effects. Photos are reasonably sharp with balanced color and detail when shot in daylight. Portrait mode is also fairly good at edge detection.
There’s a square 5MP sensor at the front that’s good for a selfie or two in natural light and can handle video calls without too much of a struggle. Low-light performance is rudimentary — you’ll see grain, but it is passable for a quick snap.
Battery: Reliable All-Day Use
The Realme C61 is backed by a 5000mAh battery and can easily hold charge for a day. Whether you’re streaming music, participating in online classes or watching reels, the battery life is decent.
The phone also supports 18W fast-charging via USB-C and takes around 2 hours to charge fully. It’s not the fastest, but it’s dependable and safe, particularly for the cost.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Water and dust resistance rating of IP54
90Hz refresh rate screen
Solid battery life (5000mAh)
Fingerprint sensor is side-mounted
Pretty good daylight camera capabilities
Stylish design with good grip
Cons:
As well as HD+ screen not Full HD
Low-light camera struggles
Not ideal for heavy gaming
Limited UI elements in T Edition
No ultra-wide or macro lens
Realme C61 Final Verdict
But the Realme C61 doesn’t attempt to overpromise: it dreams small, gets the basics right, but then piles durability on top.
For me, who values a canister as a reliable every day driver and using it heavily without babying it – it provides a very good value.
In case you’re in a lookout for a pocket friendly smartphone under ₹10,000 which is sturdy, lasting and good looking, then Realme C61 may be your right choice for your mid-range smartphone.
