Realme C21 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Realme C21 is a budget-friendly smartphone that packs a punch with its impressive features. With a sleek design and a large 6.5-inch IPS LCD display, you can immerse yourself in vibrant visuals. Powered by a Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 chipset and an octa-core CPU, this phone ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks. The 13 MP triple camera setup allows you to capture stunning photos, while the 5 MP front camera is perfect for selfies. The massive 5000 mAh battery ensures long-lasting usage, and the 10W wired charging keeps you powered up. Available in Cross Black and Cross Blue, the Realme C21 is a steal at its affordable price.

Design and Build Quality

The Realme C21 features a design that is both functional and visually appealing. With its sleek form factor and slim profile, the phone exudes a premium look and feel. The device has a plastic back panel and frame, which helps keep its weight to a manageable 190g. The dimensions of 165.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm make it comfortable to hold and operate with one hand. The back panel has a textured finish, providing a good grip and reducing the chances of accidental slips. The construction of the phone feels sturdy and robust, instilling confidence in its durability. The buttons and controls are well-placed and offer a satisfying click response. The bezels around the 6.5-inch IPS LCD display are relatively slim, maximizing the screen-to-body ratio. The overall fit and finish of the Realme C21 are commendable, with attention to detail evident in the finishing touches. Despite being an entry-level device, the phone manages to offer an aesthetically pleasing design with practical elements such as a fingerprint sensor on the rear panel. Overall, the Realme C21's design and build quality strike a balance between style and functionality, making it an attractive option for users seeking an affordable and reliable smartphone.

Display

The Realme C21 features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and an aspect ratio of 20:9. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 80.8%, providing an immersive viewing experience. The display offers a brightness of up to 400 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.

While it doesn't incorporate advanced technologies like OLED, the LCD panel on the Realme C21 still delivers decent color accuracy and vibrancy. The pixel density of around 270 ppi provides satisfactory sharpness for everyday use. The viewing angles are also acceptable, allowing comfortable viewing from different orientations.

In terms of protection, the Realme C21 does not mention any specific display protection like Gorilla Glass. However, it is always advisable to use a screen protector to prevent scratches and accidental damage.

The Realme C21 does not support features like HDR or a wide color gamut, which are typically found on higher-end devices. It also lacks an always-on display feature. However, it does offer a blue light filter to reduce eye strain during prolonged usage.

Overall, the Realme C21's display is decent for its price range, offering a good balance between size, resolution, and color reproduction. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of flagship displays, it provides a satisfactory visual experience for everyday tasks and multimedia consumption.

Performance

The Realme C21 comes equipped with a Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 chipset, which offers decent performance for a budget smartphone. The octa-core processor, consisting of four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz, ensures smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. The CPU benchmarks of the Realme C21 indicate good processor efficiency, allowing for a lag-free performance and a smooth user experience.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Realme C21 performs adequately for casual gaming. The PowerVR GE8320 GPU delivers satisfactory graphics scores and handles basic games with ease. However, it may struggle with more demanding games that require higher graphics settings. Gaming benchmarks reveal that the Realme C21 is optimized for entry-level gaming, providing an enjoyable gaming experience for casual gamers.

The Realme C21 also demonstrates efficient thermal management, as it manages to stay cool even during extended gaming sessions or intensive usage. This is a noteworthy feature, as it ensures that the device does not overheat and maintains its performance levels consistently.

Furthermore, the Realme C21 performs well in synthetic benchmark tests, achieving competitive benchmark scores for its price range. These scores reflect the overall performance of the device, indicating its capability to handle day-to-day tasks and offer a smooth user experience. The system optimization of the Realme UI, based on Android 10, further enhances the device's performance by streamlining operations and minimizing lag.

It is important to note that the Realme C21 is not designed for heavy gaming or resource-intensive tasks. Its performance is best suited for everyday use, such as web browsing, social media, multimedia consumption, and light gaming. For users seeking a budget smartphone that offers a smooth user experience, multitasking capabilities, and decent gaming performance, the Realme C21 is a viable option.

Overall, the Realme C21's performance, comprising its chipset performance, GPU benchmarks, gaming capabilities, and processor efficiency, is commendable for its price range. It strikes a balance between affordability and functionality, delivering a satisfactory performance for everyday usage.

Software and User Interface

The Realme C21 runs on the Android 10 operating system with Realme UI customization. This combination offers a user-friendly interface with a clean and intuitive layout. The software provides a smooth and responsive experience, allowing users to navigate through the various features and functions effortlessly.

Realme UI adds a layer of customization to the operating system, allowing users to personalize their device according to their preferences. It offers a range of customization options, including theme changes, icon styles, and system-wide dark mode. This gives users the freedom to make their device truly their own.

The Realme C21 comes with a selection of pre-installed apps that are useful and practical for everyday use. These include popular apps like Google Chrome, YouTube, and Google Maps. While these apps are essential for most users, they do not overload the device with unnecessary bloatware. This ensures that users have a streamlined experience without being burdened by unwanted apps.

Overall, the software on the Realme C21 provides a user-friendly interface with useful features and customization options. The combination of Android 10 and Realme UI ensures a smooth and responsive experience, making the device easy to use and navigate. With a minimal amount of pre-installed apps, users can enjoy a clutter-free experience and personalize their device to suit their needs.

Camera

The Realme C21 comes equipped with a triple camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 13-megapixel main camera with an aperture of f/2.2 and a focal length of 26mm. It is accompanied by a 2-megapixel macro lens and a 2-megapixel depth sensor, allowing users to explore their creativity in various photography scenarios. The camera offers features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama, enhancing the overall image quality. In daylight photography, the Realme C21 captures images with good sharpness, natural colors, and a decent dynamic range. It performs well in outdoor photography, delivering satisfactory results with accurate colors and details. However, indoor photography may suffer slightly in low-light conditions, as the camera struggles with noise reduction and low-light sensitivity. To compensate for this, the device offers a night mode that improves low-light performance by reducing noise and enhancing brightness. The camera also includes features such as portrait mode, HDR, and panorama mode, providing users with a range of options to capture different types of shots. When it comes to video recording, the Realme C21 supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, allowing users to capture moments with decent quality. However, it lacks advanced features like 4K video, video stabilization, and slow-motion video. Overall, the camera of the Realme C21 offers a satisfactory performance for its price range, especially in well-lit conditions.

Battery Life

The Realme C21 is equipped with a powerful Li-Po 5000 mAh battery, providing users with long-lasting battery life. With its non-removable design, the battery offers a decent capacity that ensures extended usage without the need for frequent recharging. The device supports 10W wired charging, allowing for convenient and relatively fast charging times. While it doesn't have fast charging capabilities, the battery optimization features of the Realme C21 help in maximizing power efficiency. Users can expect a good screen-on time and standby time, thanks to the battery's capacity and efficient power management. The device also supports reverse wired charging, making it possible to charge other devices using the Realme C21. Overall, the Realme C21's battery performance and optimization features provide a reliable battery backup and endurance, ensuring that users can go through their daily activities without worrying about running out of battery power.

Connectivity and Networking

The Realme C21 offers a range of connectivity options to keep you connected wherever you go. It supports dual SIM functionality, allowing you to use two SIM cards simultaneously. This is especially useful for those who need to manage personal and work numbers on the same device. In terms of network compatibility, the C21 supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring reliable connectivity in various regions. When it comes to wireless connectivity, the C21 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, which enables you to connect to Wi-Fi networks for fast internet access. It also has Bluetooth 5.0, which allows for seamless pairing with other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as headphones or speakers. Additionally, the C21 features GPS, GLONASS, and BDS for accurate navigation and location services. For data transfer and charging, the device comes with a microUSB 2.0 port. However, it does not support USB-C, which may be a downside for those who prefer the convenience of USB-C connectivity. Overall, the Realme C21 offers a decent range of connectivity options, ensuring you stay connected and have access to essential features like internet connectivity, navigation, and device pairing.

Additional Features

Additional Features of Realme C21:

• Standout features: The Realme C21 boasts several standout features that enhance its overall functionality and user experience. These include a large 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 20:9 aspect ratio, providing immersive visuals for multimedia consumption and gaming.


• Advanced sensors: The device is equipped with a fingerprint sensor located on the rear for convenient and secure unlocking. It also features an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, enabling various motion-based and environmental sensing capabilities.


• Long-lasting battery: With its 5000mAh non-removable battery, the Realme C21 offers extended usage without frequent recharging. It supports 10W wired charging and even features reverse wired charging, allowing users to charge other devices.


• Durable design: The Realme C21 has a durable build with a glass front, plastic back, and plastic frame. While it doesn't have specific water or dust resistance certifications, its sturdy construction ensures resistance to everyday wear and tear.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Realme C21 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent specifications and features compared to other devices in its price range. When compared to its competitors, such as the Xiaomi Redmi 9A and the Samsung Galaxy A02, the Realme C21 holds its own with its impressive battery life, large display, and decent camera setup.

In terms of specifications, the Realme C21 features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. While it may not offer the highest resolution, it still provides a satisfactory viewing experience for everyday use. The device is powered by a Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 chipset, which is sufficient for basic tasks and light multitasking.

One area where the Realme C21 shines is its battery life. With a massive 5000mAh battery, it can easily last through a full day of heavy usage without the need for frequent charging. This is a significant advantage over its competitors, as it ensures uninterrupted usage throughout the day.

In terms of camera performance, the Realme C21 features a triple camera setup, with a 13MP primary sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. While it may not offer the best camera quality in its price range, it still manages to capture decent photos with good color reproduction and sharpness.

When it comes to pricing, the Realme C21 proves to be a value-for-money option. With a price tag of around €146.50, it offers competitive specifications and features compared to other devices in its segment. Its affordability makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.

Overall, the Realme C21 holds a competitive position in the budget smartphone market. While it may not offer the highest performance or the most advanced features, it provides a well-rounded experience for users who are looking for a reliable and affordable device.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Realme C21 offers a decent package at an affordable price point. With its large 6.5-inch display, long-lasting 5000mAh battery, and reliable performance from the MediaTek Helio G35 chipset, it proves to be a reliable companion for everyday tasks and media consumption. The camera setup, including a 13MP primary lens, captures decent photos in good lighting conditions. However, it may struggle in low-light scenarios. While the 3GB/4GB RAM variants provide smooth multitasking, the 32GB/64GB storage options may feel limiting for users who require ample space for apps and media. Overall, the Realme C21 is a budget-friendly choice for those seeking a reliable smartphone for essential tasks and moderate usage.