Realme C85 Pro: A Significant Upgrade to the C-Series
After a long wait, Realme has finally given its popular C-series a serious upgrade with the launch of the Realme C85 Pro in Pakistan. Priced at PKR 62,999 for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage model, the phone brings several firsts for the series, including an AMOLED display, a massive 7,000mAh battery, and Realme’s new AI Genie assistant.
Available in Parrot Purple and Peacock Green, the C85 Pro feels like Realme’s most ambitious budget phone yet, aiming to blend premium features with long-lasting performance.
The Realme C85 Pro comes in a familiar yellow-copper box, marked with the C85 Pro branding and “AI” logo. Inside, you’ll find a silicone case, a SIM ejector pin, user manuals, the device itself, a 45W SuperVOOC charger, and a Type-A to Type-C cable.
Design and Build
Realme has refreshed the design with a feather-like texture that resists fingerprints while giving off a premium look. Both the back and frame are made of plastic, but the overall finish feels refined. At 8mm thick and 209 grams, it’s on the heavier side, largely due to the 7,000mAh battery and 6.8-inch display.
The camera island carries the familiar triple-ring design, though only one sensor is functional. It features a 50MP main camera, quad-LED flash, and clean branding. The feather-inspired gradient adds character, especially in Parrot Purple, giving the phone a stylish edge in this price range.
Display
The biggest upgrade for the C-series is the AMOLED panel, a major leap for Realme’s budget lineup. The 6.8-inch display delivers Full HD (1080p) resolution, an 88% screen-to-body ratio, and a peak brightness of 4,000 nits, ensuring strong visibility even under sunlight. Support for Widevine L1 means you can stream in Full HD on OTT platforms, a feature rare in phones in this segment.
Camera
The rear setup includes a 50MP main camera, supported by a quad-LED flash, while the front shooter is an 8MP sensor. Both cameras can record videos at 1080p 30fps. While it’s not a camera powerhouse, the C85 Pro delivers serviceable results for casual photography and is positioned to compete directly with rivals like the Vivo Y400 in this segment.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the C85 Pro runs on the Snapdragon 685 processor paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.1 storage. The combination offers smooth day-to-day performance and efficient multitasking. It ships with Android 15 and Realme UI 6.1, which introduces a glass-like visual interface that feels responsive and fluid.
Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 5, and USB 2.0. On AnTuTu, the phone scores around 450,000 points, which puts it in a competitive position for mid-tier performance.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is where the C85 Pro shines. The 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery promises two to three days of typical use, while the 45W SuperVOOC charger fills it up in roughly 1.25 to 1.5 hours. Realme has also added wired reverse charging, allowing the phone to double as a power bank for other devices or IoT gadgets.
AI Features
The Realme C85 Pro takes a step into AI with the introduction of Realme AI Genie, capable of performing basic commands like changing photo backgrounds or adjusting colors through voice input. It also integrates Circle to Search, Google Gemini, and an AI background remover, giving users a taste of smart, on-device assistance.
Realme C85 Pro – Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.8-inch AMOLED, 1080p resolution, 4,000 nits peak brightness, 88% screen-to-body ratio |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 256GB UFS 2.1 |
| Operating System | Android 15 with Realme UI 6.1 |
| Rear Camera | 50MP main sensor, quad-LED flash |
| Front Camera | 8MP selfie camera |
| Video Recording | Up to 1080p at 30fps |
| Battery | 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery |
| Charging | 45W SuperVOOC fast charging, wired reverse charging support |
| Fingerprint Sensor | In-display |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 5, USB 2.0 |
| Build Material | Plastic back and frame |
| Thickness | 8mm |
| Weight | 209 grams |
| Colors | Parrot Purple, Peacock Green |
| AI Features | Realme AI Genie, Circle to Search, Google Gemini, AI Background Remover |
| Other Features | Dual SIM, silicone case included, Type-A to Type-C cable |
| Price (Pakistan) | PKR 62,999 (8GB + 256GB variant) |
Finding the Best Mid-Range Option
If you’re evaluating the Realme C85 Pro at its current price of PKR 62,999 in Pakistan, it’s worth seeing how it stacks up against two similar-priced alternatives: the Samsung Galaxy A17 (8GB/256GB) at PKR 62,999 and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G at approx PKR 52,999.
Price gap: Realme and Samsung match at ~PKR 62,999, while Xiaomi is ~PKR 10,000 cheaper (~PKR 52,999), giving a budget cushion or room for accessories.
Key specs & differences:
- The Realme C85 Pro features a 6.8″ AMOLED display with 1080×2344 resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and peak brightness around 4,000 nits.
- The Samsung Galaxy A17 features a 6.7″ Super AMOLED panel with a 1080×2340 resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate.
- The Redmi Note 12 4G has a 6.67″ AMOLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution.
- On processing: Realme uses the Snapdragon 685 (6nm) chipset. Samsung uses the MediaTek Helio G99 (6nm) in this region. The Redmi Note 12 4G also uses the Snapdragon 685 platform.
- Battery & charging: Realme boasts a large 7,000 mAh battery and 45W fast charging. Samsung offers a 5,000 mAh cell with 25W charging in its spec here. Redmi has a 5,000 mAh battery with ~33W charging support in some versions.
- Cameras: Realme gives a 50MP main rear camera (no multi-ring emphasis in this summary). Samsung also offers a 50MP main with OIS in the A17. Redmi also has a 50MP main rear sensor too.
- Extra features: Realme highlights an IP69 rating and durability focus. Samsung offers up to 6 years of software/security updates.
What you’ll get:
- If you go with the Realme C85 Pro, you’ll benefit from a larger battery capacity, a higher refresh rate display (120 Hz), and possibly better outdoor visibility thanks to its peak brightness.
- With Samsung Galaxy A17, you get a more balanced package: strong brand backing, expected longer software support, and decent performance and display.
- With the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G at a lower cost, you accept a bit smaller battery and slightly lower charging, but still get a good display, a decent camera, and more savings up front.
If your priority is long battery life and a smoother 120 Hz screen, then Realme C85 Pro offers compelling value at its price. If you value brand trust and software longevity, the Samsung A17 is a safer bet. If the budget is tighter, the Redmi Note 12 4G will get you much of the experience for less.
For further details, you can check the complete review here.
Image Credit: www.techjuice.pk
