Realme is preparing to shake up the affordable 5G market again, this time with the Realme C85 5G, a battery focused mid range phone that is heading to India on 28 November and rolling out to markets like Indonesia around the same time. After debuting in Vietnam earlier this month, the device is now poised to become the brand’s new workhorse for people who care more about endurance and practicality than flashy flagship gimmicks.
The C85 5G sits above the Realme C75 5G launched in May, and on paper it looks like a clear step forward. 
At the heart of the phone is MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 5G chipset, a modern entry level SoC aimed at efficient performance, casual gaming, and stable connectivity. Paired with generous RAM and up to 256 GB of internal storage, it should comfortably handle social apps, browser tabs and light games without the slowdowns that often plague cheaper phones.
The headline feature, of course, is the massive 7000mAh battery. In a world where many mid range devices still hover around 5000mAh, Realme is betting that going bigger will resonate with commuters, delivery workers, students and gamers who simply cannot live near a power socket. With 45W wired fast charging support, topping up that huge pack should not feel like an all day chore either, especially for users who only have a short charging window in the morning or late at night.
Realme is also pushing the C85 5G as a more premium looking budget device thanks to its AMOLED display. The panel measures 6.8 inches diagonally, offers a sharp viewing experience, and can reach a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits, making it easier to read in direct sunlight. A refresh rate of up to 144Hz is an impressive spec in this segment, promising smoother scrolling, fluid animations and a snappier feel in supported games.
Durability is another pillar of the C85 5G story. The phone carries an IP69 Pro rating for water and dust resistance and is backed by SGS Military Grade certification. That combination suggests Realme expects the device to survive splashes, dust, and the occasional rough handling better than the average budget handset, an important selling point in markets where people tend to keep their phones for years.
On the camera side, the Realme C85 5G keeps things simple but functional. The rear setup is led by a 50MP primary camera designed for everyday snapshots and social media content, while the front houses an 8MP selfie camera. You will not find flagship level optical tricks here, but with Realme’s latest image processing and AI features on board, users can expect decent portraits, clearer low light shots and more reliable scene detection than previous C series models.
Software wise, the phone ships with Android 15 running Realme UI 6 out of the box. Beyond the usual customization options, the interface is expected to lean heavily into AI assisted features, from smarter photo enhancements to contextual suggestions and productivity tweaks. For security and convenience, Realme opts for a side mounted fingerprint scanner, which many users still prefer for its speed and reliability.
In Vietnam, the C85 5G variant includes up to 256 GB of storage, the 8MP selfie camera and the 6.8 inch 144Hz display configuration, and India is likely to receive a very similar package. Pricing has not yet been officially confirmed for the Indian market, but given that the older Realme C75 5G started at INR 12,999, expectations are that the C85 5G will stay competitive while justifying any increase with its bigger battery, AMOLED upgrade and tougher build. Meanwhile, buyers in Indonesia are already circling late November dates such as 26 November, with many welcoming the idea of a true battery monster that can finally last through long work shifts and weekend gaming sessions without constantly begging for a charger.