The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Realme C21 and Motorola Moto G Power (2021) both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches: the Realme C21 focuses on a streamlined experience, while the Moto G Power prioritizes extended battery life. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeably smoother experience for multitasking and app loading, and the 15W charging is a welcome improvement over the Realme C21’s 10W. While the Realme C21 is cheaper, the performance trade-offs are significant.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 05 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 05 | Available. Released 2021, January 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 206.5 g (7.30 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cross Black, Cross Blue | Flash Gray, Polar Silver |
| Models | RMX3201 | - |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 60 EUR |
Realme C21
- Lower price point makes it very accessible.
- Reverse wired charging offers added convenience.
- Simple and streamlined user experience.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Moto G Power.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Less efficient chipset leads to shorter battery life under load.
Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
- More powerful Snapdragon 662 chipset for smoother performance.
- Faster 15W wired charging.
- Improved power efficiency for longer battery life.
- Slightly higher price than the Realme C21.
- May still struggle with demanding games at high settings.
- Basic camera system with limited low-light performance.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common choice in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: processing power impacts UI responsiveness. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, the more powerful Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power will contribute to smoother scrolling and animations, making the overall visual experience more pleasant. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones featuring basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Snapdragon 662’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more capable than the Helio G35’s, potentially leading to better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. Expect both phones to struggle with detail and dynamic range in challenging lighting scenarios. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to deliver significant improvements in image quality.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) holds a clear advantage in performance. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) is built on a smaller fabrication process than the Realme C21’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). This translates to greater transistor density and improved power efficiency. The Snapdragon 662’s Kryo 260 Gold cores, clocked at 2.0 GHz, offer a performance boost over the Cortex-A53 cores in the Helio G35, which peak at 2.3 GHz. While the Helio G35’s clock speed is higher, the architectural improvements in the Snapdragon 662 result in superior real-world performance, especially in multitasking and demanding applications. The Snapdragon's Adreno 610 GPU also provides a better gaming experience.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) features 15W wired charging, a significant advantage over the Realme C21’s 10W charging. While both phones likely have large batteries (typical for the 'Power' branding), the faster charging speed will reduce downtime. The Snapdragon 662’s improved power efficiency also contributes to longer battery life. Users who frequently find themselves away from a power outlet will benefit from the Moto G Power’s combination of battery capacity and faster charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C21 if your primary need is an extremely affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and you're willing to accept slower performance. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, longer battery life, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more upfront. It's the better option for users who stream videos, play casual games, or rely heavily on their phone throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C21 struggle with popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
While the Realme C21 can run these apps, expect noticeable lag and slower loading times, especially when multitasking. The Helio G35 chipset is designed for basic tasks and may feel sluggish with more demanding applications.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) a good choice for mobile gaming?
The Moto G Power (2021) can handle casual mobile games, but don't expect a high-end gaming experience. The Snapdragon 662 is capable, but demanding titles will likely require reduced graphics settings and may still experience occasional frame drops.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Realme C21?
With its 10W charging, the Realme C21 will likely take over 3 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is significantly slower than the Moto G Power (2021).
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) support fast charging standards like Quick Charge?
While the Moto G Power (2021) supports 15W charging, it doesn't explicitly advertise support for Qualcomm's Quick Charge technology. It utilizes Motorola's own charging protocol, which is compatible with standard USB-PD chargers.
