We told you about it at the end of last month the Realme “mini-capsule”, the manufacturer’s version of Apple’s Dynamic Island shape-shifting multitasking notification system. A Realme executive had posted a tweet of a Realme C-series device showing the “mini-capsule” and then deleted it. Well, today the very first Android phone with a Dynamic Island style notification system was unveiled by *SURPRISE* Realme.
Realme’s own online store in Indonesia (via 9to5Google) now lists the C55 and while most of the images of the phone on the website show a single front-facing camera, if you scroll down to the bottom of the page you’ll see a photo of the phone that contains the feature in use and says, “Say hello to Mini Capsule.” Unlike the iPhone’s Dynamic Island, which has a pill-shaped cutout at the top of the screen, the Mini Capsule expands from the single hole seen in the device’s images.
The Realme C55 is the first Android phone with a Dynamic Island-like feature
The copy for the photo, once translated by Google Translate, says, “Get important information more seamlessly than ever before, such as phone charging status, low battery alert, data usage, and day’s steps and walking distance.” Based on this translation, it seems that the Mini Capsule may be more limited than the iOS Dynamic Island that shows notifications and other data. But once developers start working with it, the Mini Capsule could improve.
Realme unveils the C55 with the Mini Capsule
The price of the Realme C55 starts at Rp2499,000 (about $161) for the 6GB RAM/128GB storage model. The variant with 8 GB of RAM (which can be increased to 16 GB with Dynamic RAM) and 256 GB of storage retails for Rp 2999,000 (about $194). The phone is offered in a gray Rainy Night color or a yellowish Sunshower option. It is equipped with a 64MP image sensor that powers the primary camera and an 8MP depth sensor.
The phone has a 6.72-inch FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2400) display with a 90Hz refresh rate. Under the hood is a MediaTek Helio G88 SoC. Keeping the lights on is a 5000mAh battery that uses a 33W SuperVOOC charger. The latter takes the battery from 0% to 100% in 63 minutes. Realme UI 4.0, based on Android 13, is pre-installed on the C55. The device has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and Realme Europe CEO Francis Wong said the phone is coming to the continent.
If you are an Android owner and want a Dynamic Island on your phone, check out the dynamicSpot app in the Play Store. I have used this app on my Pixel 6 Pro and love it. A setting automatically expands notifications from some apps and the developer always updates it.
Apple could drop the Dynamic Island by 2024
We should mention that while the Dynamic Island is found on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, it will reportedly be found on all four iPhone 15 models this year. A recent video reportedly showing off the glass bezels for the 2023 iPhone 15 line shows the Dynamic Island cutout for all four phones. However, this may be short-lived as Apple is rumored to be using a single hole punch for the iPhone 16 line, as the components for the TrueDepth camera used for Face ID can be placed under the display.
Arrow shows the dynamicSpot app for Android on a Pixel 6 Pro
While the Dynamic Island wowed those who watched the unveiling of the iPhone 14 line last September, many iPhone users panned it for a variety of reasons. The less than overwhelming reception on the Dynamic Island may be why there are rumors that it is Apple plans to drop the feature next year.
Realme is one of the brands under the BBK Electronics umbrella, along with Oppo, Vivo (and its iQOO subsidiary), and OnePlus. Other companies have also discussed the possibility of adding a Dynamic Island feature to their phones, including Xiaomi.
