The Realme X and vivo V21s represent compelling options in the crowded mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they diverge in their core components, particularly the chipset and charging technology. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the vivo V21s emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Realme X’s Snapdragon 710. The faster 33W charging also significantly reduces downtime, making it ideal for power users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA - China | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, July | 2022, November 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 76 x 9.4 mm (6.35 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm or 7.4 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 176 g / 177 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | 1080 x 2404 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.44 inches, 100.0 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Mali-G57 MC3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@120fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, 55% in 30 min | 33W wired, 63% in 30 min |
| Type | 3765 mAh, non-removable | 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Steam white, Punk Blue | Dusk Blue, Gradient |
| Models | RMX1901, RMX1903 | - |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -93.3dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 86h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.7 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
GeekBench: 5915 (v4.4) | - |
Realme X
- Exceptional battery endurance (86h)
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable Qualcomm chipset
- Slower charging speed (20W)
- Less powerful chipset compared to the V21s
- Limited information on display quality
vivo V21s
- Faster charging (33W)
- More powerful and efficient Dimensity 800U chipset
- Improved CPU performance for gaming and multitasking
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the Realme X
- May be slightly more expensive
- Limited information on display quality
Display Comparison
Both devices share a similar 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks, but lack specific details regarding panel technology (IPS vs AMOLED) or peak brightness. This omission makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the absence of refresh rate specifications suggests both likely operate at a standard 60Hz, limiting smoothness compared to newer models. The Realme X's display is likely adequate for general use, but the V21s may offer a slightly better viewing experience if it utilizes a higher-quality panel.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization. This makes a detailed camera comparison impossible. Without further information, it's reasonable to assume both offer competent, but not exceptional, camera performance for their price point. The absence of details suggests neither phone is likely to excel in low-light photography or offer advanced features like 4K video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo V21s boasts the Mediatek Dimensity 800U, fabricated on a 7nm process, offering improved power efficiency and performance compared to the Realme X’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 (10nm). The Dimensity 800U’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.4 GHz, provide a substantial CPU performance advantage over the Snapdragon 710’s Kryo 360 Gold cores (2.2 GHz). This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural improvements in the Dimensity 800U are significant.
Battery Life
The Realme X boasts an impressive 86-hour endurance rating, indicating excellent battery life for typical usage. However, its 20W charging is comparatively slow. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach 55% charge. The vivo V21s, with 33W charging, achieves 63% charge in the same timeframe, offering a faster top-up. While the Realme X may last longer on a single charge, the V21s’ faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery capacity (not specified in the data).
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X if you prioritize long battery endurance and are comfortable with a slightly slower processor for everyday tasks. Its 86-hour endurance rating is a significant advantage for those who frequently find themselves away from a charger. Buy the vivo V21s if you value faster performance for gaming and demanding applications, and appreciate the convenience of quicker charging – a boon for users who need to top up their phone rapidly throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 800U in the vivo V21s handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Mediatek Dimensity 800U is well-equipped to handle PUBG Mobile. Its Cortex-A76 cores and Mali-G57 MC3 GPU provide sufficient power for smooth gameplay at medium to high settings. The 7nm process also helps manage thermals, reducing the risk of throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the vivo V21s compared to the 20W charging on the Realme X in real-world use?
While both phones take around 30 minutes to reach a certain percentage, the V21s reaches 63% while the Realme X only reaches 55%. This means a significantly shorter overall charging time to reach a full charge. The V21s will get you back up and running much faster, especially for quick top-ups.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 710 in the Realme X still a capable processor for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Snapdragon 710 remains a capable processor for everyday tasks. It will handle browsing, social media, and basic app usage without issue. However, it will exhibit slower performance compared to the Dimensity 800U when multitasking or running more demanding applications.
