Realme C85 is coming to India soon.

Realme C85 is coming to India soon. This phone will have a very big 7,000 mAh battery.

Realme C85 India Preview: Big-Battery Budget Phone With My Honest Take

Realme C85 is expected to launch in India soon, and the headline is simple: a massive 7,000 mAh battery in a phone that may cost around ₹12,999 (similar to the C75). If that pricing holds, this could be the cheapest 7,000 mAh phone you can buy—very tempting for students, delivery pros, and anyone who hates carrying a charger.

What’s launching and who is it for

Realme may announce the C85 alongside the GT 8 Pro. The C85 clearly targets people who want long backup first, performance second, and fancy cameras third. From a buyer point of view, that honesty is good—no confusing marketing, just battery-first value.

Design & Build: Familiar, practical

Leaks suggest the C85 will look close to the Realme 15x with a slightly simpler camera module. It has already appeared in Vietnam, so India will likely get the same look and build.
My take: At this price, I prefer sturdy and light over flashy. If it keeps weight balanced despite the huge cell, that’s a win.

Display: Smooth for the price

6.8-inch HD+ panel
144 Hz refresh rate
1,200 nits peak brightness

My take: 144 Hz at this price is eye-catching. Yes, it’s HD+ and not Full HD+, but for scrolling, Reels, and casual gaming, a fast refresh often “feels” more premium than extra pixels. Outdoor visibility should be fine at 1,200 nits.

Compare:

Many budget rivals stick to 90–120 Hz.
If you watch a lot of 1080p movies, some Redmi/POCO models with FHD+ panels may look sharper, but they usually compromise on battery size.

Battery & Charging: The headline act

7,000 mAh battery
45W fast charging
6.5W reverse charging (top up earphones or a friend’s phone)

Realme claims 15 minutes of charge for many hours of use.
My take: Even with real-world usage, this should be an easy 1.5–2 day phone for regular users, and a comfortable full day for heavy users (BGMI + maps + social + calls). Reverse charging is a thoughtful touch in this segment.

Compare:

Tecno Pova and Infinix Note series also push big batteries, but software polish can be hit-or-miss.
Samsung M-series offers good battery too, but usually not 7,000 mAh at this price.

Performance: Sensible, not showy

MediaTek Dimensity 6300
Good for daily apps, UPI, social, maps, and casual gaming.

My take: This isn’t a benchmark champ, and it doesn’t need to be. Keep expectations realistic: smooth day-to-day performance and medium settings in games. If you want raw power, you’ll be shopping higher up anyway.

Compare:

You mentioned iQOO Z10x—that line typically aims a bit higher on performance (and price). If gaming is your only priority, iQOO may push more fps; if battery life per rupee matters, C85 looks stronger.

Cameras: Practical, not flagship

50 MP Sony main camera (rear)
8 MP selfie
AI Eraser, AI Photo Editing

My take: A Sony 50 MP sensor should deliver decent daylight photos and usable indoor shots if Realme’s tuning behaves. The 8 MP selfie is basic; good light will matter. The AI tools are nice for quick fixes—removing small objects, improving sky, etc. Don’t expect Pixel-level skin tones or iPhone-grade video, but for Instagram and family albums, it should be fine.

Compare:

Redmi/POCO at this bracket may sometimes offer better stabilization or a slightly stronger selfie, but they almost never bring a 7,000 mAh battery with it.

Who should buy the Realme C85

Buy it if you want:

Maximum battery life under ₹13k
A super-smooth screen feel for scrolling and gaming
Fast charging and handy reverse charging
Clean-looking design without extra weight

Skip it if you want:

The best camera in the budget segment (look at Redmi/POCO options)
A Full HD+ display for sharper movies and text
Higher-end gaming performance

My verdict (pre-launch)

If Realme actually prices it around ₹12,999, the C85 is an easy recommendation for battery-first buyers. Personally, I’d pick this for travel days, long commutes, or anyone who lives in low-signal areas where phones drain fast. The 144 Hz feel + 7,000 mAh combo is rare at this price and, for many users, more valuable than a slightly better camera.

Score for its purpose: 8.5/10 (battery beast, everyday friendly)
Room to improve: selfie camera, FHD+ panel option