Realme C21 Review: Android on a Budget

When the Realme C12 was launched alongside the C15 final 12 months, 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 quicker MediaTek Helio G70 processor, whereas the Realme C12’s successor, the C21, now begins at an entry-level worth of Rs. 7,999.

It might seem to be a sexy worth, however Realme has shuffled issues a bit. The Realme C21 gives a smaller 5,000mAh battery (as a substitute of 6,000mAh on the C12) and replaces the 2-megapixel monochrome digital camera with a 2-megapixel macro one. On a regular basis efficiency has not modified, as a result of the Realme C21 sticks to the identical MediaTek Helio G35 processor because the C12. Nevertheless, the Realme C21 nonetheless gives a good Android expertise for anybody on a decent funds, so long as you do not demand an excessive amount of from it.

Realme C21 worth 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. Each variants can be found in Cross Blue and Cross Black finishes. There’s additionally the Realme C20, which is sort of an identical besides that it’s out there solely with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, and has a single rear digital camera. It’s priced at Rs. 6,999.

Realme C21 design

The Realme C21 seems to be fairly just like the C12 by way of general design, with all three cameras and the LED flash positioned neatly inside a square-shaped digital camera module. The smartphone’s physique is made from plastic and encompasses a texture with positive grooves on the again, which gives a very good grip.

Due to this matte end, the again panel didn’t choose up fingerprints, and remained smudge-free with every 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 gives 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 brand. There’s a tiny dimple subsequent to the grille that ought to stop sound from getting blocked when the cellphone is positioned on a flat floor.

Realme C21 specs and software program

Many 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 worth 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. Each allow you to add as much as 256GB of storage utilizing a microSD card within the devoted slot.

Not like the Realme C25, which shipped working Realme UI 2.0, the C21 gives Realme UI 1.0, which relies on Android 10. It is a bit previous, however the software program seems pretty clear except for just a few Realme apps resembling HeyFun (for fast informal video games), HeyTap Cloud (cloud storage), and Realme Hyperlink (to attach with the corporate’s IoT merchandise). These apps might be uninstalled if you do not want them.

The Realme C21 doesn’t run the newest Realme UI 2.0 software program, however nonetheless gives fundamental customisation choices

Regardless of the absence of Realme UI 2.0, fundamental customisation choices resembling altering the system font, icon shapes and extra are nonetheless out there. There’s a first rate number of static wallpapers and the flexibility to use and obtain new themes as effectively.

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 technique to its successor.

I seen occasional lag on the 4GB RAM + 64GB variant that I reviewed. Switching between apps was easy more often than not however there have been situations when apps restarted after being opened from the Recents display screen. The keyboard at instances would take just a few further seconds to pop up, and apps took just a few seconds to launch. Regardless of the hiccups, the expertise is not all that dangerous for an off-the-cuff person who simply desires to run just a few easy apps.

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

The 6.5-inch HD+ LCD panel appears sharp sufficient at a look, nevertheless it’s straightforward to identify jagged edges within the textual content and round icons when you maintain it up a bit nearer. Colors seem a bit too saturated, and the show showcases a cooler tone than what could be pure. The LCD display screen can get brilliant sufficient to be seen clearly in direct daylight, which is fairly good for a smartphone on this worth phase. Nevertheless, 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.

By way of efficiency, the Realme C21 managed to run informal video games easily however struggled with Asphalt 9: Legends and Name of Responsibility: Cellular.

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 Efficiency mode (for lowered graphics high quality) Name of Responsibility: Cellular was not playable because it lagged horribly even with the graphics high quality set to Low and framerate set to Medium.

The position of the speaker on the again isn’t a good suggestion

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

Because 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 cellphone’s 5,000mAh battery lasted me a very 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 remains to be excellent.

Not like the Realme C25, the C21 doesn’t include an 18W charging adapter within the field. As an alternative, you get a 10W charger that prices the 5,000mAh battery to 22 % in half-hour, and 44 % in an hour. The cellphone reached 100% in 2 hours and 19 minutes in my expertise. That is nonetheless faster than the Realme C25, which took 3 hours and seven minutes to achieve 100%, as a result of lowered battery capability.

Realme C21 cameras

Whereas the 13-megapixel major digital camera 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 digital camera for a 2-megapixel macro digital camera on the C21, which many individuals will discover extra helpful.. The selfie digital camera 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 digital camera on the C12 for a 2-megapixel macro digital camera on the C21

The digital camera app’s interface is the everyday Realme UI 1.0 digital camera with straightforward one-tap entry to filters and the Chroma Enhance characteristic, which amplifies the colors of images. Nevertheless, the interface isn’t very responsive and there’s slight lag when switching between digital camera modes. Even simply swiping from photograph to portrait or to video mode requires a little bit of persistence.

Realme C21 daytime digital camera pattern (faucet to see full dimension)

As for the photographs, the general picture high quality is under common. Images shot in daylight got here out brilliant however fell quick on element with murky textures. Taking pictures 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 digital camera, 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 digital camera samples (prime: daytime portrait; backside: low-light portrait) (faucet to see full dimension)

As anticipated, publish sundown, photographs get murkier with element taking a giant hit. Most low-light photographs ended up trying like work, and the devoted Evening mode didn’t assist enhance issues both, in my expertise. Images shot within the Evening mode got here out blurry, with oversaturated colors. In addition they lacked depth and seemed flat. Auto-focus speeds take successful at evening too, and you have to a little bit of persistence, even when you 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 digital camera pattern (faucet to see full dimension)

The two-megapixel macro digital camera captured photographs that seemed a bit too dramatic with extreme distinction and odd-looking colors. Pictures taken with the primary digital camera seemed loads higher, with good sharpness and hues that have been nearer to the true factor.

Video recorded in daylight is passable however not usable if shot in low mild. Movies shot at 1080p 30fps showcased blown-out highlights in brighter areas of the body. There isn’t any kind of stabilisation, which makes movies shot when strolling actually shaky.

Verdict

Given its pricing, the Realme C21 is supposed to be a primary smartphone for somebody who has upgraded from a characteristic cellphone, or for somebody who merely desires to run just a few on a regular basis apps and place calls. It’s a fundamental funds smartphone that performs with just a few hiccups, however is nice sufficient for the informal person who doesn’t anticipate a lot. Its digital camera efficiency is sort of weak and the identical might be stated about gaming, which leaves battery life as its greatest promoting level.

With that stated, many not too long ago launched funds smartphones provide comparable {hardware}, such because the Poco C3 (Review). Priced at Rs. 7,499 it appears a bit superior on the subject of digital camera high quality, however falls quick by way of software program efficiency. These on the lookout for a near-stock Android smartphone on this worth vary may also have a look at the Moto E7 Power which is priced beginning at Rs. 7,499 (3GB + 32GB). It gives barely weaker efficiency and has two rear cameras, however provides an IP52 score to the combination.