The Realme Q3 Pro 5G and vivo V21 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in chipset choice. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Realme Q3 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Dimensity 1100 chipset offers a substantial performance uplift over the vivo V21 5G’s Dimensity 800U, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the vivo V21’s slightly brighter display and comparable battery endurance offer a compelling alternative for media consumers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 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 | 158.5 x 73.3 x 8.4 mm (6.24 x 2.89 x 0.33 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 | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide) | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF, OIS |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, 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@30/60fps, 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/2.5, 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, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos) | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 100% in 59 min | 33W wired, 63% in 30 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Electric Yellow | Dusk Blue, Sunset Dazzle, Arctic White |
| Models | RMX2205 | V2050 |
| Price | About 210 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 Pro 5G
- Significantly more powerful Dimensity 1100 chipset
- Potentially better thermal management due to 6nm process
- Faster full charge time (59 minutes)
- Display brightness not specified, potentially lower than vivo V21
- Camera sensor details unknown
vivo V21 5G
- Brighter display (761 nits)
- Comparable battery endurance (123h)
- Faster initial charging speed (63% in 30 mins)
- Less powerful Dimensity 800U chipset
- 7nm process may lead to more thermal throttling
Display Comparison
The vivo V21 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 761 nits, offering excellent visibility in bright sunlight. While the Realme Q3 Pro 5G’s display specs aren’t provided, the V21’s brightness is a key advantage for outdoor users. Both displays feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal), suggesting deep blacks, but the V21’s higher peak brightness is a tangible benefit. Without knowing the panel technology of the Q3 Pro, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy or refresh rate advantages, but the V21’s brightness is a clear win.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without knowing the megapixel counts or sensor sizes, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Dimensity 1100’s superior ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the Q3 Pro likely provides better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in sharper images and improved low-light performance. The absence of details on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for either device makes it impossible to assess video stabilization quality. We can assume both phones will include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but the Q3 Pro’s chipset advantage suggests a more refined camera experience.
Performance
The Realme Q3 Pro 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6nm) significantly outperforms the vivo V21 5G’s Dimensity 800U (7nm). The Dimensity 1100 features a more powerful CPU configuration – octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) versus the 800U’s octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The Cortex-A78 cores in the Q3 Pro provide a substantial performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. Furthermore, the 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1100 generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal management compared to the 7nm Dimensity 800U, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Q3 Pro is the clear winner for users prioritizing performance.
Battery Life
Both the Realme Q3 Pro 5G and vivo V21 5G achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, their charging speeds differ. The vivo V21 5G charges to 63% in 30 minutes with its 33W wired charging, while the Realme Q3 Pro 5G reaches 100% in 59 minutes with 30W charging. While the V21 charges faster initially, the Q3 Pro ultimately achieves a full charge. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the different charging speeds, both phones offer all-day battery life for typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q3 Pro 5G if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games, multitasking, and future software updates without significant performance degradation. Its superior chipset provides a noticeable advantage for power users. Buy the vivo V21 5G if you prioritize a slightly brighter display for outdoor visibility and value a balanced experience with a focus on everyday tasks and photography, accepting a trade-off in raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 1100 in the Realme Q3 Pro 5G handle graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Dimensity 1100 is a capable chipset that should handle Genshin Impact and similar titles at high settings with playable frame rates. The 6nm process and improved CPU/GPU architecture contribute to sustained performance, minimizing throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, optimal settings may require some experimentation.
❓ Does the vivo V21 5G’s camera perform well in low-light conditions?
Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to definitively assess low-light performance. However, the Dimensity 800U’s ISP is less advanced than the Dimensity 1100’s, suggesting the Q3 Pro will likely capture brighter and more detailed images in challenging lighting scenarios. The V21 will likely rely more heavily on software processing to compensate.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Realme Q3 Pro 5G significantly slower than the 33W on the vivo V21 5G?
While the vivo V21 5G charges faster initially (63% in 30 minutes), the Realme Q3 Pro 5G reaches a full charge in 59 minutes. For users who need a complete charge, the Q3 Pro’s slightly longer charging time isn’t a significant drawback, especially considering the comparable battery endurance of both devices.
