The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and Realme consistently delivers compelling options. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition and the Realme C11 (2021). Which one offers the best value for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition clearly takes the lead thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 460 chipset and faster 18W charging. While the C11 (2021) is a decent budget option, the C15 offers a noticeable performance boost and quicker charging, making it the better overall choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 28. Released 2020, October 29 | 2021, June 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.8 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.39 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 | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, Realme Go UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP B/W, f/2.4
2 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Power Silver, Power Blue | Cool Blue, Cool Grey |
| Models | RMX2195 | RMX3231 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.62 W/kg (body) | - |
Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition
- More powerful Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially better color accuracy on display
- Good battery life
- May lack some of the latest features
- Camera performance is average
Realme C11 (2021)
- Very affordable
- Large battery for all-day use
- Decent for basic tasks
- Slow Unisoc SC9863A chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Subpar camera performance
- Feels sluggish with multitasking
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.5-inch displays, likely with HD+ resolution. Expect similar viewing experiences, though the C15 might offer slightly better color accuracy due to potentially better panel technology, though this is not definitively confirmed. Screen brightness and outdoor visibility will be comparable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a similar camera setup, probably including a 13MP main sensor and a depth sensor. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be subpar on both. The C15's more powerful processor *might* allow for slightly better image processing, but the difference won't be dramatic.
Performance
This is where the C15 shines. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 is a substantial upgrade over the Unisoc SC9863A. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better overall user experience on the C15. The C11 (2021) will feel noticeably slower, especially when handling more demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a large 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life. However, the C15's 18W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the C11's 10W reverse wired charging. This is a major advantage for the C15.
Buying Guide
The Realme C15 Qualcomm Edition is ideal for users who prioritize performance and faster charging, even on a budget. It's suitable for light gaming and multitasking. The Realme C11 (2021) is a good option for those seeking a very affordable phone primarily for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and who don't mind slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme C15 good for gaming?
The Realme C15 is decent for light gaming, but don't expect to play demanding titles at high settings. The Snapdragon 460 handles casual games well.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the C15 charges significantly faster.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Realme generally provides decent software updates, but specific update schedules can vary. Check Realme's website for the latest information.
