The Realme C3 and Samsung Galaxy A21s represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Realme C3 prioritizes gaming performance with its Helio G70 chipset, while the Samsung Galaxy A21s focuses on a balanced experience with its Exynos 850 and a slightly more refined display.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smoother, more consistent experience, the Samsung Galaxy A21s is the better choice. Its Exynos 850, while not a performance king, offers a more efficient architecture and a slightly better display, offsetting the Realme C3’s gaming focus. However, gamers on a tight budget will find more raw power in the C3.
| 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, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 05. Released 2020, February 14 | 2020, May 15. Released 2020, June 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75 x 9 mm (6.47 x 2.95 x 0.35 in) | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4/6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen Blue, Blazing Red, Volcano Grey shade | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | RMX2027, RMX2020, RMX2021 | SM-A217F, SM-A217F/DS, SM-A217F/DSN, SM-A217M, SM-A217M/DS, SM-A217N |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1287:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 192223 (v8)
GeekBench: 1262 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 107157 (v8)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme C3
- More powerful CPU cores for gaming
- Potentially lower price point
- Helio G70 optimized for gaming performance
- Less efficient 12nm process
- Limited charging speed (10W)
- Display specs are unknown and likely inferior
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- More efficient 8nm Exynos 850 processor
- Faster 15W charging
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Less powerful CPU cores for demanding games
- Potentially higher price
- Cortex-A55 only architecture
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A21s boasts a measured peak brightness of 490 nits and a 1287:1 contrast ratio, offering a more visually appealing experience than the Realme C3, for which display specs are not provided. While the contrast ratio is nominally the same, the higher brightness of the A21s will translate to better visibility outdoors. The lack of detailed display information for the C3 suggests a more basic panel, likely with lower brightness and potentially less accurate color reproduction. This makes the A21s the clear winner for media consumption and everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or megapixel count. Given the market positioning, it’s safe to assume both feature modest camera setups. The A21s likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more refined images. Without further data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung’s history suggests a more polished camera experience, even at this price point. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
Performance
The Realme C3’s Mediatek Helio G70 (12nm) utilizes a dual-cluster configuration with two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.7 GHz, geared towards gaming. The Samsung Galaxy A21s, however, employs the Exynos 850 (8nm) with eight Cortex-A55 cores all clocked at 2.0 GHz. While the C3 has faster cores, the A21s benefits from a more efficient 8nm process, potentially leading to better sustained performance and thermal management. The A21s’ architecture prioritizes efficiency over raw speed, making it better suited for everyday tasks and longer usage sessions. The 8nm process of the Exynos 850 also suggests better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both the Realme C3 and Samsung Galaxy A21s achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating similar battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the A21s supports 15W wired charging, while the C3 is limited to 10W. This means the A21s will recharge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While both offer comparable battery capacity, the faster charging speed of the A21s provides a practical advantage for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C3 if you need a phone primarily for casual gaming and don't mind potential compromises in software polish. Its Helio G70 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost in gaming scenarios. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A21s if you prefer a more balanced experience with a slightly better display, more efficient processor, and Samsung’s established software ecosystem, even if it means sacrificing some peak gaming performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 chip in the Galaxy A21s overheat during prolonged use?
The Exynos 850’s 8nm process is designed for efficiency, meaning it generates less heat than the Realme C3’s Helio G70 under sustained load. While it may warm up during extended gaming sessions, it’s unlikely to overheat and cause significant performance throttling.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included as a marketing feature but rarely deliver truly impressive macro photography. Expect soft images and limited dynamic range.
❓ Can the Realme C3 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
The Helio G70 in the Realme C3 can run PUBG Mobile, but you may need to compromise on graphics settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. Expect to play at medium settings for a more consistent experience. The A21s will likely require even lower settings.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
With 10W charging, the Realme C3 will take approximately 2.5-3 hours to fully charge. The Samsung Galaxy A21s, with its 15W charging, will charge faster, taking around 1.5-2 hours for a full charge.
