The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the LG Q51 and the Realme C11 (2021). Both promise affordability, but which delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG Q51 edges out the Realme C11 (2021) thanks to its more powerful chipset and generally smoother performance. While the Realme C11 (2021) offers a competitive price and decent battery life, the Q51's processing power makes it the slightly better choice for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 25. Released 2020, February 26 | 2021, June 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) | 165.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | Splash resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 105.5 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, Realme Go UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen White, Moonlight Titanium | Cool Blue, Cool Grey |
| Models | LM-Q510N | RMX3231 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 80 EUR |
LG Q51
- More powerful chipset
- Triple camera system with wide-angle lens
- Slightly better display quality
- More premium build quality (generally)
- Smaller battery capacity
- Slower charging speed
- Older model (potentially less software support)
Realme C11 (2021)
- Excellent battery life
- Very affordable price
- Decent main camera
- Less powerful chipset
- Dual camera system (less versatile)
- Can feel sluggish at times
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
The LG Q51 features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. The Realme C11 (2021) also has a 6.5-inch IPS LCD, also at 1600 x 720. Both offer adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for their price range, but the Q51's slightly better processing might result in marginally smoother visuals. Neither phone boasts a high refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
The LG Q51 boasts a triple-camera setup (13MP main, 5MP wide-angle, 2MP depth sensor), while the Realme C11 (2021) has a dual-camera setup (13MP main, 2MP depth sensor). The Q51's wider-angle lens provides more versatility. Image quality is generally decent on both, but the Q51 tends to produce slightly more detailed photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is comparable and not exceptional on either device.
Performance
Here's where the LG Q51 shines. Its Mediatek Helio P22 chipset, built on a 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Realme C11 (2021)'s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). Expect faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Q51. The Realme C11 (2021) can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The Realme C11 (2021) has a 5000mAh battery, offering excellent battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate use. The LG Q51 also has a 4000mAh battery, which is still respectable, but won't quite match the C11's endurance. Both support 10W charging, which is relatively slow.
Buying Guide
The LG Q51 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a slightly more premium feel, even on a budget. The Realme C11 (2021) is a great option for those seeking the absolute lowest price and extended battery life, willing to compromise on processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The LG Q51 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset. The Realme C11 (2021) will struggle with more demanding games.
❓ How much RAM do these phones have?
The LG Q51 typically comes with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, while the Realme C11 (2021) usually has 2GB or 3GB. More RAM benefits multitasking.
