When the Realme C12 was launched alongside the C15 final 12 months, the 2 smartphones regarded very related 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 (Assessment) has a quicker MediaTek Helio G70 processor, whereas the Realme C12’s successor, the C21, now begins at an entry-level value of Rs. 7,999.
It could seem to be a pretty value, however Realme has shuffled issues a bit. The Realme C21 provides 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. 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. Nonetheless, the Realme C21 nonetheless provides an honest Android expertise for anybody on a decent finances, 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 possibility. 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 obtainable solely with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, and has a single rear digicam. It’s priced at Rs. 6,999.
Realme C21 design
The Realme C21 appears to be like fairly much like the C12 when it comes to total design, with all three cameras and the LED flash positioned neatly inside a square-shaped digicam module. The smartphone’s physique is fabricated from plastic and contains a texture with effective grooves on the again, which provides an excellent grip.
Due 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 right down to the smaller 5,000mAh battery.
The plastic physique’s texture with effective grooves provides 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 telephone 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 usually utilized by a number of producers on this value section. 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.
In contrast to the Realme C25, which shipped operating Realme UI 2.0, the C21 provides Realme UI 1.0, which relies on Android 10. It’s kind of outdated, however the software program seems pretty clear except just a few Realme apps reminiscent of HeyFun (for fast informal video games), HeyTap Cloud (cloud storage), and Realme Hyperlink (to attach with the corporate’s IoT merchandise). These apps may be uninstalled if you do not want them.
The Realme C21 doesn’t run the most recent Realme UI 2.0 software program, however nonetheless provides fundamental customisation choices
Regardless of the absence of Realme UI 2.0, fundamental customisation choices reminiscent of altering the system font, icon shapes and extra are nonetheless obtainable. There’s a respectable number of static wallpapers and the power to use and obtain new themes as properly.
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 method 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 occasions would take just a few additional seconds to pop up, and apps took just a few seconds to launch. Regardless of the hiccups, the expertise is not all that unhealthy for an off-the-cuff consumer who simply needs to run just a few easy apps.
The LCD panel on the Realme C21 can get shiny sufficient to be seen in direct daylight
The 6.5-inch HD+ LCD panel appears sharp sufficient at a look, however it’s straightforward to identify jagged edges within the textual content and round icons in case you maintain it up a bit nearer. Colors seem a bit too saturated, and the show showcases a cooler tone than what can be pure. The LCD display screen can get shiny sufficient to be seen clearly in direct daylight, which is fairly good for a smartphone on this value section. Nonetheless, 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 troublesome to wipe off.
When it comes to efficiency, the Realme C21 managed to run informal video games easily however struggled with Asphalt 9: Legends and Name of Obligation: 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 change to Efficiency mode (for lowered graphics high quality) Name of Obligation: Cellular was not playable because it lagged horribly even with the graphics high quality set to Low and framerate set to Medium.
The location of the speaker on the again is just not a good suggestion
The location of the speaker on the again is just not a good suggestion because it directs sound away from the consumer. When streaming motion pictures or taking part in video games, my index finger typically lined up the speaker, ensuing resulted in muffled sound and decreased loudness. What’s extra, the only speaker is kind of tinny, and sound tears at excessive quantity.
For the reason that Realme C21 is not constructed to run graphics-intensive 3D video games, I ended up utilizing it primarily for messaging, checking emails, streaming motion pictures, and taking pictures. With my informal utilization, the telephone’s 5,000mAh battery lasted me an excellent two days. Our HD video loop check 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 superb.
In contrast to the Realme C25, the C21 doesn’t include an 18W charging adapter within the field. As an alternative, you get a 10W charger that fees the 5,000mAh battery to 22 % in half-hour, and 44 % in an hour. The telephone reached one hundred pc 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 one hundred pc, as a result of decreased battery capability.
Realme C21 cameras
Whereas 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 related 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 everyday Realme UI 1.0 digicam with straightforward one-tap entry to filters and the Chroma Increase function, which amplifies the colors of pictures. Nonetheless, the interface is just not 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 pictures, the general picture high quality is under common. Photographs shot in daylight got here out shiny however fell quick on element with murky textures. Capturing 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, similar 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, pictures get murkier with element taking a giant hit. Most low-light pictures ended up wanting like work, and the devoted Night time mode didn’t assist enhance issues both, in my expertise. Photographs shot within the Night time mode got here out blurry, with oversaturated colors. In addition they lacked depth and regarded flat. Auto-focus speeds take successful at night time too, and you have to a little bit of endurance, even in case you faucet to focus when capturing darker scenes. Selfies shot in low mild had been full of noise and lacked any sense of depth.
Realme C25 macro digicam pattern (faucet to see full dimension)
The two-megapixel macro digicam captured pictures that regarded a bit too dramatic with extreme distinction and odd-looking colors. Photographs taken with the principle digicam regarded quite a bit higher, with good sharpness and hues that had been nearer to the actual 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 form 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 function telephone, or for somebody who merely needs to run just a few on a regular basis apps and place calls. It’s a fundamental finances smartphone that performs with just a few hiccups, however is sweet sufficient for the informal consumer who doesn’t anticipate a lot. Its digicam efficiency is kind of weak and the identical may be mentioned about gaming, which leaves battery life as its greatest promoting level.
With that mentioned, many lately launched finances smartphones supply related {hardware}, such because the Poco C3 (Assessment). Priced at Rs. 7,499 it appears a bit superior with regards to digicam high quality, however falls quick when it comes to software program efficiency. These in search of a near-stock Android smartphone on this value vary may have a look at the Moto E7 Energy which is priced beginning at Rs. 7,499 (3GB + 32GB). It provides barely weaker efficiency and has two rear cameras, however provides an IP52 ranking to the combination.
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