TECH/REVIEW | realme C85 5G: Rugged, reliable, real
When I got the chance to try the realme C85 5G, realme’s first 5G-ready phone in the C series and the first in the lineup to pack a massive 7000mAh battery, I was curious.
After a few days of testing it, I realized the realme C85 5G is built for people who want practicality without feeling like they settled: commuters, students, and anyone who wants a phone that lasts as long as their day does, maybe even longer.
Let me walk you through my experience in this edition of VP/Tech.
Build
The realme C85 5G comes in two colors: Parrot Purple and Peacock Green. Whichever you pick, both share the same dimensions: a slim 8.38mm thickness and a 215g weight. It’s not featherlight, but it feels solid—more reassuring than heavy.
But the real story is durability. The realme C85 5G isn’t just “splash resistant.” It has full military-grade shock resistance and a trio of realme Lab–certified ingress protection ratings: IP66 makes it dustproof and resistant to high-pressure water jets, IP68 allows it to survive being submerged up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, and an IP69K rating that allows it to withstand high-temperature, high-pressure water jets at close range.
Most flagship phones don’t even get all three of these. I don’t plan on pressure-washing my phone anytime soon, but knowing it can handle whatever life throws at it—rain, spills, accidental drops—genuinely takes away a lot of everyday worry. I’ve been more relaxed using it outdoors, even during unexpected downpours, which we can expect here in the Philippines.
Battery
First in the realme C series, the star of the show is the 7000mAh battery. A massive battery that, with my typical usage, still ended most days with around 50 percent battery left.
And when it does need juice, the 45W SUPERVOOC charger steps in like a reliable friend. Hitting 50 percent in 42 minutes is great for such a massive battery. It’s not “insanely fast,” but it’s comfortably quick—especially considering how long that 50 percent actually lasts.
One feature I didn’t expect to appreciate this much is bypass charging. If you game while plugged in, this is a blessing. It powers the phone directly without stressing the battery or making it uncomfortably warm. A feature that matters in the long-term health of the device.
Display
The realme C85 5G comes with a 6.8-inch 144Hz display, and it’s honestly one of the most enjoyable parts of the phone. At 144Hz, animations glide, scrolling is buttery, and gaming feels smoother than what you usually get at this price.
Brightness peaks at 1,200 nits, which means outdoor visibility is perfectly usable even under direct sun.
The 90.4 percent screen-to-body ratio gives it that modern, almost-all-screen look. Watching videos on it was genuinely enjoyable, especially with the larger display and with colors that makes the whole experience even more immersive.
Performance and storage
Inside, the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 keeps things running smoothly. It’s not a top-tier chipset, but it handles everyday multitasking with zero complications.
For heavier games, you can push medium to high graphics depending on the title, and it stays surprisingly stable. I played a few rounds of the usual MOBA games, and performance was comfortably solid.
You get 8GB of RAM, expandable up to 24GB with Dynamic RAM Expansion, which helps with app switching and background processes. The 256GB storage is generous and eliminates the usual storage anxiety, where you constantly delete photos or downloads.
Camera
The rear shooter is a 50MP Sony IMX852 sensor. In daylight, it captures sharp, vibrant photos with good dynamic range. Indoors or low light, shots are still usable, though they lean softer, as expected for the segment. For casual photography, social posts, or quick snaps, it does its job well.
Overall thoughts
After a week with the realme C85 5G, what stood out was how stress-free the experience was. It’s not trying to compete with flagships or pretend to be something it isn’t. Instead, it focuses hard on what matters for the typical day-to-day life.
If you’re someone who wants a phone that lasts all day, survives the unpredictable, and feels modern without costing a fortune, the C85 5G fits that lifestyle perfectly. It’s the kind of phone you buy when you want peace of mind, something that works without stretching your budget.
Priced at P14,999, the realme C85 5G is now available in the Philippines. Grab yours now at your nearest realme store or from realme’s official Shopee and Tiktok Shop.
