Realme C73: Big Battery, Small Ambitions
Realme has officially launched the Realme C73 in India, aiming to deliver essential features at a budget price.
However, its attempt to strike a balance between affordability and functionality has received a mixed response – and for good reason.
Let’s start with the strengths. The Realme C73 features a massive 6,000 mAh battery, giving users serious screen-on time and extended usability between charges. That’s paired with 5W reverse wired charging – a nice touch for power sharing – although the main charging speed is just 15W, which feels underwhelming in 2025.
At 7.94mm thick, Realme is marketing the device as “slim,” but in reality, this is about average by modern standards. Compared to some other flagship-thin devices, the C73 doesn’t exactly push boundaries in terms of sleekness.
Powered by the Dimensity 6300 chipset and available only in a 4GB RAM variant, performance expectations must be modest. The 64GB and 128GB storage options are standard, but it’s the 4GB RAM that many users find unacceptable – especially with Android 15 and the RAM-hungry Realme UI 6.0 onboard.
The 6.67″ HD+ LCD panel is serviceable but not spectacular. Realme retained the 32MP selfie camera in a punch-hole layout, while the rear also gets a 32MP shooter. However, the rear camera design may mislead users into thinking it’s a multi-lens setup.
It does score points in durability – Realme touts military-grade certification (MIL-STD-810H), which is rare in this price segment. That’s reassuring for users who expect their phones to survive drops and rough handling.
Available in Jade Green, Onyx Black, and Crystal Purple, the C73 starts at just INR 10,499 (~$125). Still, the market’s criticism revolves not around pricing, but the environmental and technological stagnation represented by such devices.
Many users are expressing frustration over the constant churn of near-identical phones with limited long-term usability. In an age where sustainability and efficiency matter, a 4GB phone running Android 15 is seen not as frugal, but wasteful.
Would this phone make more sense if Realme offered an 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant for under $150? Possibly. Until then, it feels like another recycled design with downgraded specs, appealing only to those with very limited needs – or limited options.
6 comments