Realme C21 Review: Android on a Budget

When the Realme C12 was launched alongside the C15 final yr, the 2 smartphones seemed very comparable on paper and but commanded very completely different costs. In 2021, the producer has introduced down the costs of each smartphones’ successors. The Realme C25 (Review) has a sooner MediaTek Helio G70 processor, whereas the Realme C12’s successor, the C21, now begins at an entry-level value of Rs. 7,999.

It might seem to be a lovely value, however Realme has shuffled issues a bit. The Realme C21 affords a smaller 5,000mAh battery (as an alternative of 6,000mAh on the C12) and replaces the 2-megapixel monochrome digicam with a 2-megapixel macro one. Everyday efficiency has not modified, as a result of the Realme C21 sticks to the identical MediaTek Helio G35 processor because the C12. However, the Realme C21 nonetheless affords a respectable Android expertise for anybody on a tight funds, so long as you do not demand an excessive amount of from it.

Realme C21 value in India

The Realme C21 is priced in India at Rs. 7,999 for the bottom 3GB RAM + 32GB storage variant, and at Rs. 8,999 for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage choice. Both variants can be found in Cross Blue and Cross Black finishes. There’s additionally the Realme C20, which is almost equivalent besides that it’s out there solely with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, and has a single rear digicam. It is priced at Rs. 6,999.

Realme C21 design

The Realme C21 appears to be like fairly much like the C12 by way of total design, with all three cameras and the LED flash positioned neatly inside a square-shaped digicam module. The smartphone’s physique is product of plastic and options a texture with positive grooves on the again, which affords a good grip.

Thanks to this matte end, the again panel didn’t choose up fingerprints, and remained smudge-free with each day use. At 190g, the C21 doesn’t really feel as cumbersome because the Realme C25 (209g), and that is primarily all the way down to the smaller 5,000mAh battery.

The plastic physique’s texture with positive grooves affords good grip

A minor design element that has modified since Realme C12 is the location of the only speaker. It now sits on the again on the backside left nook, subsequent to the Realme emblem. There is a tiny dimple subsequent to the grille that ought to stop sound from getting blocked when the telephone is positioned on a flat floor.

Realme C21 specs and software program

Most of the specs, save for the battery and the cameras, have remained the identical as on the Realme C12. The C21 has a MediaTek Helio G35 processor, which is often utilized by a number of producers on this value phase. There’s 3GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage on the bottom variant, or 4GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage on the higher-end variant. Both allow you to add as much as 256GB of storage utilizing a microSD card within the devoted slot.

Unlike the Realme C25, which shipped working Realme UI 2.0, the C21 affords Realme UI 1.0, which is predicated on Android 10. It’s a bit outdated, however the software program seems pretty clear excluding a few Realme apps equivalent to HeyFun (for fast informal video games), HeyTap Cloud (cloud storage), and Realme Link (to attach with the corporate’s IoT merchandise). These apps might be uninstalled if you don’t want them.

The Realme C21 doesn’t run the most recent Realme UI 2.0 software program, however nonetheless affords primary customisation choices

Despite the absence of Realme UI 2.0, primary customisation choices equivalent to altering the system font, icon shapes and extra are nonetheless out there. There is a respectable number of static wallpapers and the flexibility to use and obtain new themes as nicely.

Realme C21 efficiency and battery life

With the identical processor and RAM choices as on the Realme C12, the software program shortcomings of the C12 have additionally made their approach to its successor.

I observed occasional lag on the 4GB RAM + 64GB variant that I reviewed. Switching between apps was clean more often than not however there have been cases when apps restarted after being opened from the Recents display screen. The keyboard at occasions would take a few further seconds to pop up, and apps took a few seconds to launch. Despite the hiccups, the expertise is not all that unhealthy for a informal person who simply desires to run a few easy apps.

The LCD panel on the Realme C21 can get vivid sufficient to be seen in direct daylight

The 6.5-inch HD+ LCD panel appears sharp sufficient at a look, but it surely’s straightforward to identify jagged edges within the textual content and round icons for those who maintain it up a bit nearer. Colours seem a bit too saturated, and the show showcases a cooler tone than what can be pure. The LCD display screen can get vivid sufficient to be seen clearly in direct daylight, which is fairly good for a smartphone on this value phase. However, the brightness drops fairly a bit when viewing any content material off-centre. The show additionally picks up fingerprints fairly simply and these are fairly tough to wipe off.

In phrases of efficiency, the Realme C21 managed to run informal video games easily however struggled with Asphalt 9: Legends and Call of Duty: Mobile.

Asphalt 9: Legends was barely playable on the Default graphics setting, and showcased loads of lag and pauses whereas racing. What’s extra, the sport will not even allow you to swap to Performance mode (for lowered graphics high quality) Call of Duty: Mobile was not playable because it lagged horribly even with the graphics high quality set to Low and framerate set to Medium.

The placement of the speaker on the again isn’t a good thought

The placement of the speaker on the again isn’t a good thought because it directs sound away from the person. When streaming films or enjoying video games, my index finger usually lined up the speaker, ensuing resulted in muffled sound and diminished loudness. What’s extra, the only speaker is kind of tinny, and sound tears at excessive quantity.

Since the Realme C21 is not constructed to run graphics-intensive 3D video games, I ended up utilizing it primarily for messaging, checking emails, streaming films, and taking photographs. With my informal utilization, the telephone’s 5,000mAh battery lasted me a good two days. Our HD video loop take a look at lasted 24 hours and 21 minutes on a single cost, which is 7 hours in need of its predecessor (the Realme C12) however continues to be superb.

Unlike the Realme C25, the C21 doesn’t include an 18W charging adapter within the field. Instead, you get a 10W charger that costs the 5,000mAh battery to 22 p.c in half-hour, and 44 p.c in an hour. The telephone reached one hundred pc in 2 hours and 19 minutes in my expertise. This continues to be faster than the Realme C25, which took 3 hours and seven minutes to succeed in one hundred pc, as a result of diminished battery capability.

Realme C21 cameras

While the 13-megapixel main digicam with its f/2.2 aperture and the 2-megapixel depth sensor stay the identical as on the older Realme C12, the producer has switched the 2-megapixel monochrome digicam for a 2-megapixel macro digicam on the C21, which many individuals will discover extra helpful.. The selfie digicam additionally stays comparable with a 5-megapixel sensor however has an f/2.2 aperture in comparison with the f/2.0 aperture on the earlier mannequin.

Realme has switched the 2-megapixel monochrome digicam on the C12 for a 2-megapixel macro digicam on the C21

The digicam app’s interface is the standard Realme UI 1.0 digicam with straightforward one-tap entry to filters and the Chroma Boost function, which amplifies the colors of images. However, the interface isn’t very responsive and there may be slight lag when switching between digicam modes. Even simply swiping from picture to portrait or to video mode requires a little bit of endurance.

Realme C21 daytime digicam pattern (faucet to see full dimension)

As for the photographs, the general picture high quality is under common. Photos shot in daylight got here out vivid however fell quick on element with murky textures. Shooting topics in broad daylight led to blown-out highlights, each on the topic and within the background. The identical applies to the Portrait mode when utilizing each the entrance and rear cameras. The rear digicam, identical to the Realme C25, boosts color saturation when capturing a human topic in Auto mode. This doesn’t occur when capturing inanimate objects.

Realme C21 selfie digicam samples (prime: daytime portrait; backside: low-light portrait) (faucet to see full dimension)

As anticipated, submit sundown, photographs get murkier with element taking a massive hit. Most low-light photographs ended up wanting like work, and the devoted Night mode didn’t assist enhance issues both, in my expertise. Photos shot within the Night mode got here out blurry, with oversaturated colors. They additionally lacked depth and seemed flat. Auto-focus speeds take a hit at night time too, and you’ll need a little bit of endurance, even for those who faucet to focus when capturing darker scenes. Selfies shot in low mild have been full of noise and lacked any sense of depth.

Realme C25 macro digicam pattern (faucet to see full dimension)

The 2-megapixel macro digicam captured photographs that seemed a bit too dramatic with extreme distinction and odd-looking colors. Shots taken with the principle digicam seemed a lot higher, with good sharpness and hues that have been nearer to the actual factor.

Video recorded in daylight is passable however not usable if shot in low mild. Videos shot at 1080p 30fps showcased blown-out highlights in brighter areas of the body. There’s no form of stabilisation, which makes movies shot when strolling actually shaky.

Verdict

Given its pricing, the Realme C21 is supposed to be a first smartphone for somebody who has upgraded from a function telephone, or for somebody who merely desires to run a few on a regular basis apps and place calls. It is a primary funds smartphone that performs with a few hiccups, however is nice sufficient for the informal person who doesn’t anticipate a lot. Its digicam efficiency is kind of weak and the identical might be mentioned about gaming, which leaves battery life as its largest promoting level.

With that mentioned, many lately launched funds smartphones supply comparable {hardware}, such because the Poco C3 (Review). Priced at Rs. 7,499 it appears a bit superior in terms of digicam high quality, however falls quick by way of software program efficiency. Those searching for a near-stock Android smartphone on this value vary may also have a look at the Moto E7 Power which is priced beginning at Rs. 7,499 (3GB + 32GB). It affords barely weaker efficiency and has two rear cameras, however provides an IP52 score to the combo.