The Realme C21 is one of those budget smartphones that manages to surprise you with its value proposition. While it doesn’t aim to compete with flagship devices, it carves out a solid niche for users who need reliability, decent performance, and long battery life without breaking the bank. Realme has been consistently delivering competitive devices in the entry-level segment, and the C21 is no exception. Let’s dive into what makes this phone stand out—or fall short—in a crowded market.

Design and Build

At first glance, the Realme C21 doesn’t scream premium, but it doesn’t feel cheap either. The plastic back has a textured finish that not only adds a bit of grip but also helps mask fingerprints—a common annoyance with glossy backs in this price range. The phone is available in two colors: Cross Black and Cross Blue, both featuring a geometric pattern that catches the light in an interesting way. The weight distribution is balanced, making it comfortable to hold even for extended periods. The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is conveniently placed and responsive, though face unlock is also available as an alternative.

The 6.5-inch display dominates the front, with a waterdrop notch housing the front camera. The bezels are noticeable but not overly thick for a budget device. Realme has included a micro-USB port (a slight disappointment in an era where USB-C is becoming standard) and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which will please users who still rely on wired headphones. The speaker is bottom-firing and gets reasonably loud, though it lacks depth in bass-heavy audio.

Display Quality

The Realme C21 features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. While this isn’t Full HD, the HD+ resolution is serviceable for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming. The colors are decently vibrant, though they lack the richness of an AMOLED panel. Brightness levels are adequate for indoor use, but outdoor visibility can be a struggle under direct sunlight. The touch response is smooth, and the 60Hz refresh rate is expected at this price point—don’t expect the fluidity of higher refresh rate displays here.

Watching videos on YouTube or Netflix is a passable experience, but don’t expect HDR support or deep blacks. The lack of Widevine L1 certification means streaming services like Netflix will only play content in standard definition, which is a notable downside for media consumers. Still, for casual viewing, the display does its job without major complaints.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Realme C21 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G35 chipset, paired with 3GB or 4GB of RAM depending on the variant. This is an entry-level processor, and it shows when multitasking or running more demanding apps. Day-to-day performance is smooth for basic tasks like messaging, light social media use, and web browsing. However, switching between multiple apps can lead to occasional stutters, and heavier apps like mobile games will require some patience.

The phone runs Realme UI based on Android 10, which is a clean and user-friendly skin. Bloatware is minimal, and the interface is intuitive, with useful customization options. Realme has promised an Android 11 update, but given the budget nature of the device, don’t hold your breath for long-term software support. Storage options include 32GB or 64GB, expandable via a dedicated microSD slot—a welcome feature for users who need extra space for media files.

Camera Performance

The Realme C21 sports a triple-camera setup on the back: a 13MP primary sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The main camera captures decent shots in good lighting, with acceptable dynamic range and color reproduction. However, details can look soft upon closer inspection, and low-light performance is predictably weak, with noisy and muddy images. Night mode helps slightly but doesn’t dramatically improve results.

The macro lens is more of a gimmick than a practical tool—photos lack detail and require perfect lighting to be usable. The depth sensor aids in portrait shots, which turn out surprisingly well with decent edge detection for a budget phone. On the front, the 5MP selfie camera is serviceable for video calls and social media snaps, but don’t expect stunning clarity or dynamic range.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the Realme C21 truly shines. The 5000mAh battery is a beast, easily lasting two full days with moderate usage. Even heavy users will struggle to drain this in a single day. The trade-off, however, is charging speed—the included 10W charger is painfully slow, taking over two and a half hours to go from zero to full. If you’re someone who prioritizes battery longevity over fast top-ups, this won’t be a dealbreaker.

Final Verdict

The Realme C21 is a solid budget phone that excels in battery life and offers a decent overall experience for its price. It’s not without compromises—performance is basic, the display is just okay, and the cameras are hit-or-miss. But if you need a reliable device for calls, messaging, and light media consumption without frequent charging, the C21 is a compelling option. It’s a phone that knows its audience and delivers where it counts.

Realme C21 Full Specifications:

General:

- Dimensions: 165.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm

- Weight: 190g

- Build: Plastic back, plastic frame

- Colors: Cross Black, Cross Blue

- SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)

Display:

- Type: IPS LCD, 60Hz

- Size: 6.5 inches

- Resolution: 720 x 1600 pixels (HD+)

- Aspect Ratio: 20:9

- Pixel Density: ~270 PPI

Platform:

- OS: Android 10, Realme UI

- Chipset: MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm)

- CPU: Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)

- GPU: PowerVR GE8320

Memory:

- RAM: 3GB / 4GB

- Storage: 32GB / 64GB

- Expandable: microSDXC (dedicated slot)

Cameras:

- Rear: 13MP (wide), 2MP (macro), 2MP (depth)

- Features: LED flash, HDR, panorama

- Video: 1080p@30fps

- Front: 5MP (wide)

Battery:

- Capacity: 5000mAh

- Charging: 10W wired

Connectivity:

- Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n

- Bluetooth: 5.0

- GPS: Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS

- USB: microUSB 2.0

- 3.5mm Jack: Yes

Other Features:

- Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted)

- Accelerometer, proximity sensor

- Face unlock