Who did Transsion make the ₦225,000 ($138) Realme C75 for?

Realme hasn’t been making much noise in the budget phone space recently, with brands like Tecno and Itel leading the pack. But the Realme C75 could be their big comeback. With a solid 5828mAh battery, a 50MP camera, and the Helio G92 chip, this phone looks like a real contender. Throw in 45W charging, and it seems built for all-day use.

But here’s the thing—while the C75 stands out for its toughness, it’s missing something a lot of people still want: an audio jack and a host of other things that we highlighted below. Realme is betting big on durability with the C75, packing in military-grade shock resistance and an IP69 rating that can handle drops, water, and dust. But is this focus on being tough enough to make up for the missing features? The real question is whether water resistance and a rugged build can make up for the things some users might actually need.

Let’s take a closer look at the full specs to see if the Realme C75 is the tough phone you’ve been waiting for.

Realme C75 Specifications

What IP69 means (and why it’s suddenly everywhere)

IP69 is a relatively new buzzword in the budget phone segment, offering one of the highest protection levels available—resistance against high-pressure water jets and dust ingress. For a phone priced under ₦225,000, this is almost unheard of. IP68 was once the gold standard on flagship devices, but now, with brands like Transsion, Itel, and Infinix pushing rugged designs, Realme is following suit. But the question remains: do budget buyers really need IP69, or are we being sold over-engineered durability?

The IP68 rating has been around for nearly a decade, introduced by Samsung on the Galaxy S7 series back in 2016. Since then, it became a standard, and even mid-range phones from brands like Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi have adopted IP67, offering basic water and dust resistance. So, what makes IP69 different, and why are more manufacturers pushing for it in 2025?

Interestingly, IP69 is now showing up on 2025 flagships from Chinese brands like Vivo, OPPO, and Realme. The Vivo X200 series, OPPO’s Find X8 series, and Realme’s GT 7 Pro and C75 are all sporting the IP69 rating. It’s clear that this trend is moving beyond rugged phones and into the mainstream flagship space.

Read Also: Redmi Note 12 Pro vs Realme 12 Pro 5G: which should you buy?

What’s the difference between IP68 and IP69?

An IP rating indicates a device’s resistance to dust and water, with two digits: the first represents protection against solids, and the second against liquids. IP68 means a device is dustproof and can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. The key difference with IP69 is that it takes it a step further—resistant to high-pressure water jets and more extreme dust conditions.

For example, the iPhone 16 Pro Max is rated at IP68, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 6 meters of water. Meanwhile, IP69, which we’re starting to see more frequently on phones in 2025, adds that extra layer of protection against pressure and more extreme conditions, making it suitable for tougher environments.

Realme C75 selling points

• 5828mAh battery with 45W SUPERVOOC charging: In casual to moderate use, the battery lasts a full day without issue. In the PCMark Work 3.0 Battery Life Test, it scored around 14 hours and 32 minutes. It also supports 45W charging, which powers the battery from 0 to 100% in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Realme claims the battery retains 80% of its health even after years of use.
• IP68/IP69-rated water and dust resistance: With one of the highest durability ratings, this phone is well-suited for use in rainy, dusty, or harsh environments.
• 50MP main camera: The dual-camera setup features a 50MP F1.8 main lens with PDAF and a 2MP depth sensor. It also includes a Flicker Sensor to help reduce banding in indoor shots. Features such as Portrait Mode, Street Mode, Night Mode, Tilt-Shift, and customizable watermarks are included. Daylight shots are generally good, although low-light performance is more limited.
• Helio G92 processor: The Realme C75 features the MediaTek Helio G92 Max, offering better multitasking and slightly improved GPU performance over the G85. It handles daily tasks well, but can lag in more demanding games.
• Expandable storage up to 2TB via microSD: The device comes with either 128GB or 256GB of built-in storage, with the option to expand via a microSD card up to 2TB.

Realme, IP69, and the new meaning of durable

As phones like the Realme C75 come with these high durability features, it’s worth questioning if ruggedness is being used to mask performance limitations. The C75, with its IP69 rating and military-grade drop resistance, certainly has the durability to survive in extreme conditions. But it raises the question: are these tough features compensating for other shortcomings, like lag or performance issues?

A sarcastic remark from a user sums it up: “Who buys phones to dip them in water or smash them to the floor? Unless it’s so laggy you throw it out of frustration.” In a sense, phones like the C75 are becoming “rage-proof”—built to withstand frustration not from extreme environments, but from slow performance. Rather than fixing speed or smoothness, brands are doubling down on durability.

This shift towards prioritising ruggedness can sometimes feel more like a safety net for user frustration than a genuine utility. Realme’s C75, while durable and feature-rich, also reflects this trend: it’s not just about toughness—it’s about compensating for performance gaps.

Who this phone might be for

The Realme C75 may not scream luxury, but it’s surprisingly stylish for a rugged device. It boasts a sleek design, Realme calls “Nature Power Design”—its back cover features a cross-arc texture that reflects light dramatically in motion. Available in Lightning Gold and Storm Black, the phone looks clean and modern. Despite a massive 5828mAh battery and IP69 rating, it stays slim at 7.99 mm and weighs only 196 grams. Paired with a 6.72-inch FHD+ 90Hz IPS display and a neatly centered hole-punch for the selfie camera, this thing isn’t bulky or brick-like.

Still, it’s clear that the real audience values reliability over finesse. The slim, rugged build allows it to work well across several real-world use cases, especially where durability and battery life are more important than AMOLED screens or flagship chips.

People who’ll make the most of this include:

• Older users – who need a long-lasting phone that won’t break if it slips off the couch or kitchen counter.
• Delivery riders and gig workers – constantly outdoors and often in rough conditions; they need a phone that won’t die or crack easily.
• High schoolers and first-time users – phones that get dropped, stepped on, or tossed in backpacks with books.
• Engineers or field workers – long shifts, sometimes in rain or dust-heavy environments.
• People using only wireless audio – since there’s no headphone jack, it naturally caters to users already relying on Bluetooth.

What the C75 phone is missing

• No stereo speakers
• No AMOLED display
• No audio jack
• No 5G
• Lack of image stabilization.
• Regional-only NFC support (only confirmed in certain countries like Indonesia)

Pricing and Availability

The Realme C75 is an entry-level smartphone designed for users who need a balance of affordability and durability. It is now widely available in several African countries, with pricing varying by region:

• Nigeria: The 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant is priced at ₦239,900 on Jumia. Other sources list it around ₦225,000.
• In Kenya: The Realme C75 is listed at KSh 49,000 on Jumia Kenya.
• Ghana: Pricing details for Ghana are limited, but based on regional trends, it may fall within GHS 1,861 – GHS 2,482.

The phone is available through online retailers like Jumia and select local stores.