The Realme Q3 5G and vivo V21 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at accessible price points, they diverge significantly in their core hardware choices, particularly in their chipsets. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and efficient power management, the Realme Q3 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, built on a more efficient 8nm process, provides a noticeable edge in sustained performance, making it better suited for gaming and demanding applications, despite the similar battery endurance ratings.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 78 Sub6 - India |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 22 | 2021, April 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 29 | Available. Released 2021, May 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 74.8 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF, OIS |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps (no OIS), 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide) | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps (no OIS), 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | - | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 100% in 63 min | 33W wired, 63% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver | Dusk Blue, Sunset Dazzle, Arctic White |
| Models | RMX3161 | V2050 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.87 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 123h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 336699 (v8), 365055 (v9)
GeekBench: 6516 (v4.4), 1600 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Q3 5G
- More efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Modern 5G modem integration
- Display brightness likely lower than vivo V21 5G
- Camera details are currently unknown
vivo V21 5G
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Faster initial charging speed
- Potentially refined camera software
- Less efficient Dimensity 800U chipset
- Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
The vivo V21 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 761 nits, which translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While the Realme Q3 5G’s display specifications aren’t provided, the V21’s higher brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor users. Both displays are advertised with an 'infinite' contrast ratio, a common marketing term that doesn't provide substantial differentiating information. The lack of information on the Realme Q3 5G’s panel type (AMOLED vs LCD) and refresh rate makes a direct comparison difficult, but the V21’s brightness is a tangible benefit.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, the camera experience is likely to differ due to image signal processor (ISP) differences within their respective chipsets. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The vivo brand historically emphasizes camera features, suggesting a potentially more polished image processing pipeline. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device means low-light performance will heavily rely on software algorithms. Ignoring the likely inclusion of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (like 2MP macros) is essential for a meaningful comparison.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme Q3 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm), while the vivo V21 5G features the MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7nm). Although the Dimensity 800U has a slightly higher clock speed in its prime cores (2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz), the Snapdragon 750G benefits from a more modern architecture and a smaller process node. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 750G generally leads to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. This is crucial for users who intend to use their phones for extended periods of demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 750G also integrates a more advanced 5G modem.
Battery Life
Both the Realme Q3 5G and vivo V21 5G achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, their charging speeds differ. The vivo V21 5G supports 33W wired charging, reaching 63% charge in 30 minutes, while the Realme Q3 5G offers 30W charging, achieving a full charge in 63 minutes. While the V21 charges faster initially, the Q3’s full charge time isn’t significantly longer. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the different charging speeds, both phones offer comparable all-day battery life under typical usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q3 5G if you need a phone that can handle moderate gaming and multitasking without significant throttling, and if you value a more modern chipset architecture. Buy the vivo V21 5G if you prioritize display brightness and a potentially more refined camera experience, and if you are less concerned with pushing the phone to its performance limits for extended periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 800U in the vivo V21 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 800U, while capable, is built on a 7nm process, which is less efficient than the 8nm process used in the Snapdragon 750G. This means the V21 5G is more likely to experience thermal throttling during extended gaming, potentially leading to reduced frame rates and performance.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the vivo V21 5G significantly faster than the 30W charging on the Realme Q3 5G?
While the V21 5G charges to 63% in 30 minutes, the Q3 5G reaches 100% in 63 minutes. The initial speed is faster on the V21, but the difference in full charge time isn't substantial, and both offer reasonably quick charging solutions.
❓ Does the Realme Q3 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
The Snapdragon 750G modem integrated into the Realme Q3 5G supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more stable data speeds, provided your carrier supports it. This is a key advantage for users in areas with strong 5G coverage.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the Realme Q3 5G and the vivo V21 5G?
Without detailed camera specifications, it's difficult to say definitively. However, vivo typically prioritizes camera software and image processing, often aiming for vibrant and shareable photos. Realme tends to lean towards a more natural color profile. The ISP within each chipset will also play a significant role in image quality.
