Realme C21Y 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 C21Y is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers impressive features at an affordable price. With its sleek design and large 6.5-inch display, this phone provides an immersive viewing experience. Powered by the Unisoc T610 chipset and equipped with up to 4GB of RAM, it ensures smooth multitasking and efficient performance. The triple camera setup on the rear, including a 13MP main camera, captures stunning photos with great detail. The massive 5000mAh battery ensures long-lasting usage throughout the day. Additionally, the Realme C21Y comes in stylish colors and offers different storage options. With its attractive price point, this device is an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable smartphone without breaking the bank.

Design and Build Quality

The Realme C21Y sports a design that is functional and practical, with a few aesthetic elements to enhance its appeal. With a glass front and a plastic back and frame, it strikes a balance between durability and cost-effectiveness. The device measures 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm and weighs 200g, making it slightly bulky compared to some other smartphones in its category. However, this weight adds to its sturdiness and robustness, giving it a substantial feel in hand.

The smartphone features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with slim bezels, resulting in an impressive 81.6% screen-to-body ratio. While the resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels may not be the highest, it still delivers decent clarity and colors for everyday use. The device is available in two color options, Cross Black and Cross Blue, which adds a touch of personalization.

In terms of ergonomics, the Realme C21Y offers a comfortable grip, thanks to its smooth texture and rounded edges. The placement of buttons and controls is well thought out, ensuring easy access and intuitive navigation. The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is conveniently positioned for quick and secure unlocking.

Overall, the Realme C21Y boasts a functional and sleek design with a premium look and feel. While it may not be the most compact or lightweight device, its solid construction and thoughtful design elements make it a reliable and comfortable companion for everyday use.

Display

The Realme C21Y 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 81.6%, offering a decent amount of real estate for visuals. With a brightness of 400 nits (typical), the display delivers satisfactory outdoor visibility. The colors on the Realme C21Y's display are vibrant and accurate, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience. The pixel density of around 270 ppi provides reasonably sharp visuals for everyday use.

Although the Realme C21Y does not incorporate OLED technology, the IPS LCD panel offers good viewing angles, allowing users to comfortably view content from different perspectives. The display lacks features like HDR and a wide color gamut, which are typically found in higher-end smartphones, but this is expected considering the device's budget-friendly nature.

In terms of display protection, the Realme C21Y does not mention the use of any specific glass, such as Gorilla Glass, which could potentially make it more susceptible to scratches. However, it's worth noting that the device may feature some form of basic screen protection.

Other notable features of the Realme C21Y's display include a notch design, which houses the front-facing camera, and slim bezels that contribute to a modern and immersive look. The device does not offer an always-on display feature, but it does include a blue light filter to reduce eye strain, as well as adaptive brightness for automatic adjustment according to ambient lighting conditions.

Overall, the Realme C21Y's display offers a satisfactory viewing experience with its decent size, color accuracy, and vibrant visuals. While it may lack some advanced features found in higher-end smartphones, it provides a budget-friendly option for users seeking a reliable display for everyday use.

Performance

The Realme C21Y offers a reliable performance for its price range, thanks to its decent chipset and optimized software. Powered by the Unisoc T610 chipset, which is built on a 12nm process, the device delivers satisfactory performance for everyday tasks. The octa-core CPU, consisting of two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores also clocked at 1.8 GHz, ensures smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. With its 3GB or 4GB of RAM, the device can handle moderate multitasking without any significant lag.

In terms of gaming capabilities, the Realme C21Y provides a satisfactory experience for casual gaming. The Mali-G52 MP2 GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks with ease, and the device performs well in games that are not too demanding. However, it may struggle with more graphically demanding games at higher settings. Gaming benchmarks reveal that the device can achieve decent frame rates in popular games, but users may need to lower the graphics settings to maintain a smooth gaming experience.

The Realme C21Y's thermal management system ensures that the device remains cool during extended gaming sessions. This prevents any thermal throttling that could negatively impact performance. Additionally, the device's system optimization helps in providing a smooth user experience by minimizing any performance hiccups.

When it comes to benchmark tests, the Realme C21Y performs reasonably well. Synthetic benchmarks such as Geekbench and AnTuTu reveal respectable scores, showcasing the device's overall performance. However, it's important to note that benchmark scores don't always directly translate to real-world performance, and users' experiences may vary depending on their usage patterns.

Overall, the Realme C21Y offers a satisfactory performance for its price range. Its chipset and GPU provide decent performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming. While it may not excel in demanding gaming scenarios, it delivers a smooth and lag-free performance for most users. The device's system optimization and thermal management further contribute to its overall efficiency. Considering its affordable price, the Realme C21Y offers a good balance of performance and value.

Software and User Interface

The Realme C21Y runs on the Android 10 operating system out of the box. However, it is upgradable to Android 11. Realme has its customization layer called Realme UI on top of Android, which provides a unique user experience. The interface is user-friendly and offers a smooth and responsive performance. The Realme UI brings several customization options, allowing users to personalize their device according to their preferences.

In terms of pre-installed apps, the Realme C21Y comes with a set of essential applications like Phone, Messages, Contacts, and Calculator. Additionally, it includes popular Google apps such as Gmail, Chrome, and YouTube. Realme also includes its own apps like Realme Store, Realme Community, and Game Space, which enhance the overall user experience.

While the Realme C21Y does come with some pre-installed apps, they are not excessive and can be considered useful. The device does not have significant bloatware, ensuring a clean and clutter-free interface. Users have the freedom to uninstall or disable any unwanted apps to optimize their device's storage and performance.

The Realme C21Y offers a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and access various features and settings. The inclusion of features like a fingerprint sensor on the rear adds to the convenience and security of the device.

Overall, the software experience on the Realme C21Y is commendable. With its user-friendly interface, minimal bloatware, and customization options, it provides a smooth and enjoyable user experience. The ability to upgrade to Android 11 further ensures that users can benefit from the latest features and improvements in the operating system.

Camera

The Realme C21Y is equipped with a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 13-megapixel primary camera with an aperture of f/2.2 and a 2-megapixel macro lens with an aperture of f/2.4. There is also a 2-megapixel depth sensor to enhance portrait mode shots. The primary camera provides decent image quality in daylight photography, capturing details with good sharpness and natural colors. The camera's dynamic range is satisfactory, allowing for well-balanced exposures in various lighting conditions.

When it comes to low-light performance, the Realme C21Y struggles due to its limited low-light sensitivity and absence of dedicated night mode. However, the camera does feature basic noise reduction, which helps reduce graininess in low-light shots.

In terms of camera features, the Realme C21Y includes standard modes like HDR, panorama, and pro mode for manual adjustments. Additionally, the camera supports AI scene recognition, which automatically detects the scene and adjusts the settings accordingly for optimized results.

Video recording capabilities of the Realme C21Y are limited to 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. There is no support for 4K video recording or advanced video stabilization features. However, the camera does offer slow-motion video and time-lapse modes, allowing users to add creative elements to their videos.

Overall, the camera performance of the Realme C21Y is decent for its price range, delivering satisfactory results in daylight photography and offering a range of basic camera features. However, its low-light performance and video recording capabilities are relatively limited.

Battery Life

The Realme C21Y is equipped with a massive 5000 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, which is quite impressive for a budget smartphone. This substantial battery capacity ensures long-lasting battery life and can easily handle a full day of moderate to heavy usage. With its power-efficient Unisoc T610 chipset and optimized software, the device offers good battery performance and endurance. The battery optimization features help in maximizing the battery life by managing power consumption efficiently. However, it does not support fast charging or wireless charging options, which means that charging the device may take some time. The charging speed and efficiency are decent, considering its budget-friendly nature. Overall, the Realme C21Y offers a reliable battery backup and can easily meet the demands of most users without the need for frequent recharging.

Connectivity and Networking

The Realme C21Y offers a range of connectivity options to keep you connected on the go. It supports 4G LTE network compatibility, ensuring fast and reliable data speeds for browsing, streaming, and downloading content. With its dual SIM capability, you can easily switch between two different networks or use one SIM for data and the other for calls. The device also features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, allowing you to connect to wireless networks for internet access. Bluetooth 5.0 is available for seamless pairing with compatible devices, enabling you to transfer files or stream audio wirelessly. GPS, GLONASS, and BDS provide accurate location tracking and navigation assistance. Additionally, the Realme C21Y comes with a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. While it does not support wireless charging or NFC, it does provide the essential connectivity options needed for everyday use. Whether you need to connect to a Wi-Fi network, share your mobile hotspot, or navigate using GPS, the Realme C21Y has you covered.

Additional Features

• Standout features: The Realme C21Y comes with several standout features that make it a compelling choice in its price range. It boasts a large 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a high screen-to-body ratio, providing an immersive viewing experience. The device is powered by the Unisoc T610 chipset, which offers smooth performance for everyday tasks and multitasking.


• Water and dust resistance: While the Realme C21Y does not have an official IP rating for water and dust resistance, it does come with a sturdy build quality. Its glass front, plastic back, and plastic frame provide some level of protection against accidental splashes and minor dust particles.


• Additional sensors: The device is equipped with a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, compass, and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. These sensors enhance the functionality and convenience of the device, allowing for features like automatic screen rotation, proximity detection, and secure biometric authentication.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Realme C21Y is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent features and specifications. When comparing it with related gadgets in the market, it stands out as a strong contender in its price range.

In terms of competitors, the Realme C21Y can be compared to devices such as the Xiaomi Redmi 9A and the Samsung Galaxy A02s. These devices also target the budget segment and offer similar specifications. However, the Realme C21Y has a slightly larger display with better screen-to-body ratio, which gives it an edge in terms of immersive viewing experience.

When it comes to performance, the Realme C21Y is equipped with the Unisoc T610 chipset, which is comparable to the MediaTek Helio G25 found in the Redmi 9A and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 in the Galaxy A02s. While the Realme C21Y may not offer the most powerful processor, it still delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming.

In terms of camera capabilities, the Realme C21Y features a triple camera setup with a 13MP main lens, along with 2MP macro and depth sensors. This is on par with the Redmi 9A and the Galaxy A02s. However, where the Realme C21Y shines is its 5MP front camera, which offers better selfie quality compared to its competitors.

One of the standout features of the Realme C21Y is its large 5000mAh battery, which is a significant advantage over the Redmi 9A and the Galaxy A02s. This ensures longer battery life and less frequent charging, making it an attractive option for users who prioritize battery endurance.

In terms of pricing, the Realme C21Y is competitively priced at around 130 EUR, making it a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious consumers. Its combination of decent performance, good camera capabilities, and long battery life makes it a value-for-money offering in the market.

Overall, the Realme C21Y holds its ground against other related gadgets in the market with its competitive specifications, performance, and pricing. It offers a well-rounded package that caters to the needs of budget smartphone users while providing some unique features and advantages over its competitors.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Realme C21Y is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent features and performance. With its large 6.5-inch display, it provides a satisfactory viewing experience. The device runs on Android 10/11 and is powered by the Unisoc T610 chipset, which delivers smooth multitasking and app usage. The triple camera setup captures decent photos, although it may struggle in low-light conditions. The 5000 mAh battery ensures a long-lasting usage, perfect for those who are always on the go. Overall, the Realme C21Y is a reliable choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for a functional smartphone with a respectable performance and battery life.