The Realme C21Y is the latest addition to the budget-friendly smartphone market from Chinese manufacturer Realme. This device promises to deliver impressive performance, an impressive camera setup, and a range of exciting features at an affordable price point. But does it live up to its expectations?

Design and Display

The Realme C21Y boasts a sleek and sturdy design with a polycarbonate back panel that’s available in three vibrant colors: Cross Blue, Cross Black, and Cross White. The device measures 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.4mm and weighs around 182g, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.

The C21Y features a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. While it may not be the most impressive screen in its class, the display is crisp and vibrant enough for general tasks like browsing, gaming, and watching videos.

Performance

Under the hood, the Realme C21Y is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G35 processor, paired with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, depending on your configuration choice. The device also offers 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 256GB via a dedicated microSD card slot.

In our testing, the Realme C21Y performed admirably in general tasks like web browsing, social media, and email. However, demanding applications like gaming or video editing may require some patience due to the device’s limitations.

Camera

One of the standout features of the Realme C21Y is its impressive camera setup. The device boasts a triple-camera configuration consisting of a 13-megapixel primary sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. On the front, you’ll find a 5-megapixel selfie camera with AI-powered features like beautification and portrait mode.

In our testing, the Realme C21Y’s camera performed well in various lighting conditions, capturing decent photos with good color accuracy and detail. The macro lens was also impressive, allowing users to capture stunning close-up shots of objects.

Battery Life

The Realme C21Y is equipped with a large 5000mAh battery that promises to deliver all-day battery life. And it delivers! According to our testing, the device managed to last around 2 days on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for users who need a reliable smartphone with long battery life.

Software

The Realme C21Y runs on Android 11 out of the box, with Realme UI skin on top. While it’s not as polished as some other custom skins, Realme UI offers a range of exciting features like dark mode, gesture navigation, and AI-powered performance optimization.

Connectivity and Ports

The Realme C21Y supports dual-SIM functionality, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS. The device also features a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, as well as a dedicated microSD card slot.

Conclusion

The Realme C21Y is an impressive budget-friendly smartphone that delivers on its promises of performance, camera quality, and battery life. While it may not be the most impressive device in its class, it’s an excellent choice for users who need a reliable smartphone at an affordable price point.

With its competitive pricing starting at around $150 (base model) and going up to $200 (high-end configuration), the Realme C21Y is definitely worth considering for those in search of a feature-packed smartphone on a budget.

Technical Specifications:

• Processor: Octa-core MediaTek Helio G35
• RAM: 3GB or 4GB
• Storage: 32GB or 64GB (expandable up to 256GB via microSD card)
• Display: 6.5-inch HD+ display, 720 x 1600 pixels
• Battery Life: Up to 2 days on a single charge
• Camera: Triple-camera setup with 13-megapixel primary sensor, 2-megapixel macro lens, and 2-megapixel depth sensor; 5-megapixel selfie camera
• Software: Android 11 with Realme UI skin