When the Realme C12 was launched alongside the C15 final 12 months, the 2 smartphones seemed 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 (Review) has a sooner MediaTek Helio G70 processor, whereas the Realme C12’s successor, the C21, now begins at an entry-level worth of Rs. 7,999.
It could look like a horny worth, however Realme has shuffled issues a bit. The Realme C21 presents a smaller 5,000mAh battery (as a substitute 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 presents a good Android expertise for anybody on a good 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 almost an identical besides that it’s out there 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 seems to be 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 includes a texture with positive grooves on the again, which presents a very good grip.
Due to this matte end, the again panel didn’t decide 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 positive grooves presents 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 forestall sound from getting blocked when the telephone is positioned on a flat floor.
Realme C21 specs and software program
A lot 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 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 operating Realme UI 2.0, the C21 presents Realme UI 1.0, which relies on Android 10. It’s kind of outdated, however the software program seems pretty clear excluding 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 newest Realme UI 2.0 software program, however nonetheless presents 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 out there. There’s a respectable choice of static wallpapers and the flexibility 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 technique to its successor.
I seen 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. The keyboard at instances 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 dangerous for an informal consumer who simply desires to run just a few easy apps.
The LCD panel on the Realme C21 can get vibrant 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 if you happen to 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 can get vibrant sufficient to be seen clearly in direct daylight, which is fairly good for a smartphone on this worth phase. 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 Responsibility: Cell.
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: Cell 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 just isn’t a good suggestion
The location of the speaker on the again just isn’t a good suggestion because it directs sound away from the consumer. When streaming motion pictures or enjoying video games, my index finger typically coated up the speaker, ensuing resulted in muffled sound and diminished loudness. What’s extra, the only speaker is sort 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 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 superb.
Not like the Realme C25, the C21 doesn’t 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 half-hour, and 44 % in an hour. The telephone 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 diminished 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 standard Realme UI 1.0 digicam with straightforward one-tap entry to filters and the Chroma Increase characteristic, which amplifies the colors of pictures. Nonetheless, the interface just isn’t very responsive and there’s slight lag when switching between digicam modes. Even simply swiping from photograph to portrait or to video mode requires a little bit of persistence.
Realme C21 daytime digicam pattern (faucet to see full dimension)
As for the pictures, the general picture high quality is beneath common. Pictures shot in daylight got here out vibrant however fell brief 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, 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 (high: daytime portrait; backside: low-light portrait) (faucet to see full dimension)
As anticipated, put up sundown, pictures get murkier with element taking an enormous hit. Most low-light pictures ended up trying like work, and the devoted Evening mode didn’t assist enhance issues both, in my expertise. Pictures shot within the Evening mode got here out blurry, with oversaturated colors. Additionally they lacked depth and seemed flat. Auto-focus speeds take a success at evening too, and you have to a little bit of persistence, even if you happen to faucet to focus when capturing darker scenes. Selfies shot in low mild had been filled with noise and lacked any sense of depth.
Realme C25 macro digicam pattern (faucet to see full dimension)
The two-megapixel macro digicam captured photographs that seemed a bit too dramatic with extreme distinction and odd-looking colors. Photographs taken with the principle digicam seemed so much higher, with good sharpness and colors that had 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 is not any type 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 telephone, 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 consumer who doesn’t anticipate a lot. Its digicam efficiency is sort of weak and the identical may be mentioned about gaming, which leaves battery life as its largest promoting level.
With that mentioned, many not too long ago launched funds smartphones supply related {hardware}, such because the Poco C3 (Review). Priced at Rs. 7,499 it appears a bit superior in the case of digicam high quality, however falls brief by way of software program efficiency. These on the lookout for a near-stock Android smartphone on this worth vary may take a look at the Moto E7 Power which is priced beginning at Rs. 7,499 (3GB + 32GB). It presents barely weaker efficiency and has two rear cameras, however provides an IP52 ranking to the combo.
