The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the vivo Y21e and Realme C35 aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Y21e leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 680, known for its efficiency, while the C35 opts for Unisoc's Tiger T616. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences and real-world implications of these choices to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and efficiency, the vivo Y21e emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, provides a noticeable advantage in sustained performance and power management compared to the Realme C35's 12nm Unisoc T616, despite similar charging speeds.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 14 | 2022, February 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 14 | Available. Released 2022, February 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 12 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Diamond Glow | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
| Models | V2140 | RMX3511 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y21e
- More efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Likely better sustained performance
- Potentially longer battery life
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera specs are unknown
Realme C35
- Potentially lower price point
- Realme's vibrant color profile
- 18W fast charging
- Less efficient Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset
- Potential for throttling under load
- Likely shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. The absence of detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) necessitates a focus on the core performance differences. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will be standard for budget phones. The Realme C35's display is likely tuned for vibrant colors, a common Realme characteristic, while the vivo Y21e may lean towards more natural tones.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a primary camera accompanied by auxiliary lenses (depth, macro). The image processing algorithms will differ, with Realme typically emphasizing vibrant, social media-ready images, while vivo often aims for more natural-looking results. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, which will be less effective in low-light conditions. The 2MP macro cameras on both are likely of limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y21e’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) features a more modern architecture than the Realme C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal characteristics. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 680’s Kryo cores (4x2.4 GHz Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Silver) are generally more performant than the Cortex-A75 (2x2.0 GHz) and Cortex-A55 (6x1.8 GHz) configuration in the Unisoc chip. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Y21e. The larger process node of the T616 will likely result in more throttling during prolonged gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – approximately 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge. The actual battery capacity isn't specified, but typical capacities for phones in this segment are around 5000mAh. The Snapdragon 680’s superior power efficiency in the Y21e will likely translate to longer real-world battery life, even with a similar capacity battery, as the chipset consumes less power during everyday tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y21e if you need a phone that handles everyday tasks smoothly and offers better long-term performance due to its more efficient chipset. This is ideal for users who frequently multitask, browse the web, or enjoy casual gaming. Buy the Realme C35 if you prioritize a slightly different aesthetic and are looking for the absolute lowest price point, understanding that you may experience more noticeable slowdowns under sustained load.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Realme C35 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T616 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The 12nm process and less powerful GPU compared to the Snapdragon 680 in the Y21e mean it's more prone to frame drops and throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 680 make in the vivo Y21e's battery life?
The 6nm process is a significant advantage for the Y21e. It means the Snapdragon 680 consumes less power for the same tasks compared to the 12nm Unisoc T616. Expect to see a noticeable improvement in standby time and potentially an extra hour or two of usage throughout the day, especially with moderate use.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited image quality. They often lack detail and sharpness. While they can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-looking macro shots. The primary camera will deliver far superior results in most scenarios.
