Realme C21 Evaluate: Android on a Funds
When the Realme C12 was once introduced along the C15 remaining yr, the 2 smartphones seemed very an identical on paper and but commanded very other costs. In 2021, the producer has introduced down the costs of each smartphones’ successors. The Realme C25 (Evaluate) has a quicker MediaTek Helio G70 processor, whilst the Realme C12’s successor, the C21, now begins at an entry-level worth of Rs. 7,999.
It should look like a phenomenal worth, however Realme has shuffled issues just a little. The Realme C21 gives a smaller 5,000mAh battery (as an alternative of 6,000mAh at the C12) and replaces the 2-megapixel monochrome digicam with a 2-megapixel macro one. On a regular basis efficiency has now not modified, since the Realme C21 sticks to the similar MediaTek Helio G35 processor because the C12. Alternatively, the Realme C21 nonetheless gives a good Android enjoy for somebody on a decent funds, so long as you do not call for 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 garage variant, and at Rs. 8,999 for the 4GB RAM + 64GB garage choice. Each variants are to be had in Go Blue and Go Black finishes. There is additionally the Realme C20, which is just about equivalent with the exception of that it’s to be had simplest with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of garage, and has a unmarried rear digicam. It’s priced at Rs. 6,999.
Realme C21 design
The Realme C21 appears moderately very similar to the C12 on the subject of total design, with all 3 cameras and the LED flash positioned smartly inside of a square-shaped digicam module. The smartphone’s frame is fabricated from plastic and includes a texture with superb grooves on the again, which gives a just right grip.
Because of this matte end, the again panel didn’t pick out up fingerprints, and remained smudge-free with day by day use. At 190g, the C21 does now not really feel as cumbersome because the Realme C25 (209g), and that is basically right down to the smaller 5,000mAh battery.
The plastic frame’s texture with superb grooves gives just right grip
A minor design element that has modified since Realme C12 is the position of the one speaker. It now sits at the again on the backside left nook, subsequent to the Realme emblem. There’s a tiny dimple subsequent to the grille that are supposed to save you sound from getting blocked when the telephone is put on a flat floor.
Realme C21 specs and instrument
Lots of the specs, save for the battery and the cameras, have remained the similar as at the Realme C12. The C21 has a MediaTek Helio G35 processor, which is usually utilized by a number of producers on this worth section. There is 3GB of RAM and 32 GB of garage at the base variant, or 4GB of RAM and 64 GB of garage at the higher-end variant. Each allow you to upload as much as 256GB of garage the usage of 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 is in accordance with Android 10. It is a bit outdated, however the instrument seems moderately blank except a couple of Realme apps corresponding to HeyFun (for fast informal video games), HeyTap Cloud (cloud garage), and Realme Hyperlink (to connect to the corporate’s IoT merchandise). Those apps can also be uninstalled if you don’t want them.
The Realme C21 does now not run the most recent Realme UI 2.Zero instrument, however nonetheless gives elementary customisation choices
Regardless of the absence of Realme UI 2.0, elementary customisation choices corresponding to converting the device font, icon shapes and extra are nonetheless to be had. There’s a respectable collection of static wallpapers and the facility to use and obtain new issues as smartly.
Realme C21 efficiency and battery existence
With the similar processor and RAM choices as at the Realme C12, the instrument shortcomings of the C12 have additionally made their technique to its successor.
I spotted occasional lag at the 4GB RAM + 64GB variant that I reviewed. Switching between apps was once easy more often than not however there have been cases when apps restarted after being opened from the Recents display. The keyboard every now and then would take a couple of additional seconds to pop up, and apps took a couple of seconds to release. Regardless of the hiccups, the enjoy is not all that unhealthy for an informal person who simply needs to run a couple of easy apps.
The LCD panel at the Realme C21 can get brilliant sufficient to be visual in direct daylight
The 6.5-inch HD+ LCD panel turns out sharp sufficient at a look, however it is simple to identify jagged edges within the textual content and round icons for those who cling it up just a little nearer. Colors seem just a little too saturated, and the show showcases a cooler tone than what can be herbal. The LCD display can get brilliant sufficient to be visual obviously in direct daylight, which is beautiful just right for a smartphone on this worth section. Alternatively, the brightness drops moderately just a little when viewing any content material off-centre. The show additionally alternatives up fingerprints moderately simply and those are moderately tricky to wipe off.
When it comes to efficiency, the Realme C21 controlled to run informal video games easily however struggled with Asphalt 9: Legends and Name of Accountability: Cellular.
Asphalt 9: Legends was once slightly playable on the Default graphics surroundings, and showcased various lag and pauses whilst racing. What is extra, the sport may not even allow you to transfer to Efficiency mode (for decreased graphics high quality) Name of Accountability: Cellular was once now 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 at the again isn’t a good suggestion
The position of the speaker at the again isn’t a good suggestion because it directs sound clear of the person. When streaming films or taking part in video games, my index finger continuously coated up the speaker, ensuing led to muffled sound and decreased loudness. What is extra, the one speaker is moderately tinny, and sound tears at top quantity.
Because the Realme C21 is not constructed to run graphics-intensive three-D video games, I finished up the usage of it basically for messaging, checking emails, streaming films, and taking footage. With my informal utilization, the telephone’s 5,000mAh battery lasted me a just right two days. Our HD video loop take a look at lasted 24 hours and 21 mins on a unmarried rate, which is 7 hours wanting its predecessor (the Realme C12) however remains to be excellent.
Not like the Realme C25, the C21 does now not include an 18W charging adapter within the field. As a substitute, you get a 10W charger that fees the 5,000mAh battery to 22 % in 30 mins, and 44 % in an hour. The telephone reached 100 % in 2 hours and 19 mins in my enjoy. That is nonetheless faster than the Realme C25, which took three hours and seven mins to achieve 100 %, because of the decreased battery capability.
Realme C21 cameras
Whilst the 13-megapixel number one digicam with its f/2.2 aperture and the 2-megapixel intensity sensor stay the similar as at the older Realme C12, the producer has switched the 2-megapixel monochrome digicam for a 2-megapixel macro digicam at the C21, which many of us will to find extra helpful.. The selfie digicam additionally stays an identical with a 5-megapixel sensor however has an f/2.2 aperture in comparison to the f/2.Zero aperture at the earlier type.
Realme has switched the 2-megapixel monochrome digicam at the C12 for a 2-megapixel macro digicam at the C21
The digicam app’s interface is the standard Realme UI 1.Zero digicam with simple one-tap get entry to to filters and the Chroma Spice up characteristic, which amplifies the colors of images. Alternatively, the interface isn’t very responsive and there’s slight lag when switching between digicam modes. Even simply swiping from picture to portrait or to video mode calls for just a little of endurance.
Realme C21 daylight hours digicam pattern (faucet to peer complete measurement)
As for the footage, the total symbol high quality is under reasonable. Pictures shot in sunlight got here out brilliant however fell brief on element with murky textures. Taking pictures topics in large sunlight ended in blown-out highlights, each at the topic and within the background. The similar applies to the Portrait mode when the usage of 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 gadgets.
Realme C21 selfie digicam samples (best: daylight hours portrait; backside: low-light portrait) (faucet to peer complete measurement)
As anticipated, submit sundown, footage get murkier with element taking a large hit. Maximum low-light footage ended up searching like artwork, and the devoted Evening mode didn’t assist beef up issues both, in my enjoy. Pictures shot within the Evening mode got here out blurry, with oversaturated colors. Additionally they lacked intensity and seemed flat. Auto-focus speeds take successful at night time too, and you’ll want just a little of endurance, although you faucet to concentration when capturing darker scenes. Selfies shot in low gentle have been filled with noise and lacked any sense of intensity.
Realme C25 macro digicam pattern (faucet to peer complete measurement)
The two-megapixel macro digicam captured pictures that seemed just a little too dramatic with over the top distinction and odd-looking colors. Photographs inquisitive about the primary digicam seemed significantly better, with just right sharpness and colors that have been nearer to the actual factor.
Video recorded in sunlight is enough however now not usable if shot in low gentle. Movies shot at 1080p 30fps showcased blown-out highlights in brighter spaces of the body. There is no type of stabilisation, which makes movies shot when strolling truly shaky.
Verdict
Given its pricing, the Realme C21 is supposed to be a primary smartphone for any individual who has upgraded from a characteristic telephone, or for any individual who merely needs to run a couple of on a regular basis apps and position calls. This can be a elementary funds smartphone that plays with a couple of hiccups, however is just right sufficient for the informal person who does now not be expecting a lot. Its digicam efficiency is moderately vulnerable and the similar can also be mentioned about gaming, which leaves battery existence as its largest promoting level.
With that mentioned, many not too long ago introduced funds smartphones be offering an identical {hardware}, such because the Poco C3 (Evaluate). Priced at Rs. 7,499 it kind of feels just a little awesome with regards to digicam high quality, however falls brief on the subject of instrument efficiency. The ones searching for a near-stock Android smartphone on this worth vary too can have a look at the Moto E7 Energy which is priced beginning at Rs. 7,499 (3GB + 32GB). It gives somewhat weaker efficiency and has two rear cameras, however provides an IP52 ranking to the combo.
