Realme C21 Review - The Most Resilient Entry Level Smartphone
When deciding to buy a class entry smartphone, indirectly we as consumers have reduced expectations related to some of the features that will be obtained. Starting from the camera, battery life, until the quality. The situation tried to be overcome by RealMe through RealMe C21, an affordable smartphone in early 2021.
If it is a price of a million, it is natural that a smartphone does not use even glass or metal body material. Well, it's affordable, there must be a sacrificial site. But realme C21 is present different, both look and durability. Claimed as a smartphone that has the most affordable resistance certification.
Not only that it is just the feature of the seeded key, but also the battery life until the 13MP AI Triple Camera setup is behind it. Be the cheapest, is this smartphone worth buying? Here are my reviews after trying C21 realme for several days.
Design
Familiar. That was my first impression when I first saw the design of the back body of Realme C21. Have a box module design box, accompanied by a realme logo below, which is overwhelming with the speaker hole. Yes, move from the usual downside to the back body.
The design of the line is interesting as if it gives a cross effect. Incidentally, the unit I reviewed had a cross blue color (other than the cross color option). The color is bright, a bit greenish, and can reinforce light towers.
The surface is minimal fingerprints and resistant to scratches. Fingerprint sensors are also pinned on the back body, have good responsiveness, and can be combined with Face Unlock. It's hard, but it also feels solid with a weight of 190 grams.
What's special about the design is to have a certification of TÜV Rheinland, where it has passed 23 testing points. Starting from falling, abrasion tests, extreme temperatures to moisture. So even though it comes without a default soft case, it doesn't need to worry about the body easily dented or scratched, will remain safe.
Screen
Still the same as another entry-up realme class smartphone, realme C21 has a 6.5-inch HD + resolution screen and has a mini-drop notch at the top. The IPS panel used is classified as okay both in terms of contrast and color. What I think is a little different, the screen is flat, with a slightly higher edge angle.
If the design is like this, it is usually safer when placed on the table facing down. But it is necessary to be careful because the screen paper does not have additional protection and the anti-scratch layer. For eye security, there is an eye comfort mode that can reduce blue light emissions.
The big-screen dimensions will certainly make it comfortable to play games or video streaming directly from the smartphone. Unfortunately, for a platform like Netflix, it can not be streaming in HD quality. But it looks from the price of the price, it's only natural that if the realme c21 screen panel has not supported WideVine L1.
Camera
Although affordable, there is a setup of three cameras behind it. In addition to the main sensor of 13MP F / 2.2, there is also a macro lens that can take photos of close-range objects (up to 4cm) and black and white retro lenses. The unique thing I found, night filters like Cyberpunk, Modern Gold, and Flamingo can be selected outside the nightscape mode.
Other features are classified as standard, starting from a professional model with an ISO parameter & shutter speed that can be changed, Chroma Boost to increase saturation, and digital enlargement up to 5x. While in front, pinned a 5MP camera that supports HDR, AI Beauty plus portrait mode.
The picture itself is quite quality with colors that tend to burn - suitable for ExGamesplay Friends who prefer pop photos, ready to be distributed to social media without needing to edit. Ultra Macro mode can be used for small and close objects, although effective in abundant light conditions.
For photos using night mode, it generally takes 4 seconds when a photo snap. As an alternative, the fingerprint sensor behind can be used as a shutter button by touching it.
While the video recording can choose between 720p and 1080p resolution. Each at 30fps and without EIS, so it will look shaky when used for a vlog. It is recommended to use a tool like a monopod to be more stable.
Feature
Realme C21 runs the Android 10 operating system with the Display of the UI Realme 1.0 interface. As usual, the realme is widely extra features, without making the interface feel full or messy. The unique one is the dual music share mode.
Through this feature, you can listen to a smartphone with friends simultaneously. One uses cable earphones, one more uses Bluetooth earphones. Then for students who prefer to focus on learning, can activate the focus mode that automatically activates the Do Not Disturb feature.
That way, it will not be disturbed by the entry of distributed notifications. To enjoy multimedia content, mono speakers in the back body of the realme of C21 are classified as fast. It's just that the laying will be less fit when the smartphone is placed with the screen facing up. So it's a little closed, even though there is already a part of popping so it's not closed. Can be overcome by putting it facing down.
Performance
Use the MediaTek Helio G35 chipset, the CPU architecture is octa-core with a clock speed reaching 2.3GHz. Besides being fast, it is also classified as power-saving thanks to the 12nm fabrication he carried. The "G" series is in advance if this smartphone will be suitable for playing to play.
But because the price is affordable, it still can't play PubG mobile with graphics smooth - ultra, huh. At least the default setting of the medium is still quite smooth, as long as it is not competing professionally. Also assisted with the 4GB RAM option which is surprising the multitasking process.
While the internal storage is available to 64GB, which can still be expanded through a microSD card to 256GB. The triple-slot mechanism, yes, so it can be with two Nano-SIM cards at once. To just run the social media application to edit light videos, it's still really able to. In addition, realme also provides lower memory options, namely 3 + 32GB which also provides 3 card slots.
Battery
Having a large-class battery in its class, a 5,000 mAh battery in realme C21 makes this formidable entry class smartphone strong for use intensively in intensively from morning tonight. It was still the remaining battery until the next day.
If the user is not too intensive, without a lot of photo snap or making it a mobile hotspot, it will certainly be very easy to hold two full days. If you need a more economical, you can activate the Super Power Saving Mode. Claimed will still be able to access Spotify for almost 5 hours with a 5% remaining battery.
While for the charging it needs a bit of patience. The reason is not supported by Fast Charging so that charging through a 10W charger takes around 3 hours. Through the micro-USB port at the bottom, which supports reverse charging.
But if viewed from the length of use of this smartphone, it feels like 3-hour characters are still reasonable and can be done at night so that tomorrow can endure the day again.
Realme C21 Specifications
- Type: SmartphoneScreen size: 6.5 inch
- OS version: Android 10
- CPU: MediaTek Helio G35 (12 nm), Octa Core
- CPU speed: 2.3 GHz
- Internal memory: 32 GB, 64 GB
- RAM: 3 GB, 4 GB
- External memory: microSD
- Battery: Lithium Polymer 5000 mAh, Non-Removable
- Screen resolution: 1600 x 720 Pixel
- Network: 2G, 3G, 4G
- Camera: Back 13 MP + 2,2 MP + 2,2 MP, Front 5 MP
- Dimensions size: 165.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm
- Weight: 190 g
- Other features: Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity, Compass
- Price: $ 113.59 (the price depends on the place of purchase)
Conclusion
Overall, realme C21 can bring essential features that need to be in an entry class smartphone, even more. Three main camera sensors, large screens, super-saving batteries, are still added with a fairly fresh design in the eye.
And to add to it all, the resistance certification of TÜV Rheinland provides a sense of security for its users. No need to worry if during the use of unexpected things like falling, exposure to water, and other daily disasters. An interesting differentiation that has been presented by realme.
And being a class entry smartphone, certainly can't bring all the favorite features thoroughly. If it doesn't matter with the power charging system, the realme of C21 is worth the choice.