Alright, let's dive deep into the Nokia C21 Plus and Realme C65. I’ve got my tech specs laid out, and I'm ready to break down what these phones offer in the real world. I will structure this to be useful for both tech enthusiasts and the average user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table to see where each phone shines and where they might fall short:
| Feature | Nokia C21 Plus | Realme C65 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm | 164.6 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm | The Realme C65 is slightly thinner, and although negligible, might feel sleeker in hand and is easier to pocket. |
| Weight | 178g | 185g | The Nokia C21 Plus is a bit lighter; this is marginal but can be noticeable during long calls or extended use. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Standard build quality on both. No water or dust protection rating. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.52" | 6.67" | Realme C65 has a slightly larger screen providing more immersive viewing for videos and games. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 720 x 1604 | Both phones offer HD+ resolution, good for basic clarity but not as sharp as higher-end displays. |
| Pixel Density | 269 PPI | 264 PPI | Similar sharpness on both; this is not a major differentiator at this resolution. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both use the same display technology, no differences in color accuracy or viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Realme C65 offers smoother scrolling and animations, improving the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have an identical peak brightness of 0 nits. This means visibility under direct sunlight will be impaired. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | Realme C65 with its 12nm chipset is significantly faster and more power efficient than the Nokia C21 Plus. |
| AnTuTu Score | 109,200 | 225,154 | Realme C65 has double the AnTuTu score and will offer noticeably faster performance for daily tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | IMG8322 (PowerVR GE8322) | Mali-G52 MC2 (Arm Mali-G52 MC2) | The Realme C65's GPU provides better gaming performance and smoother graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 13MP | 50MP (f/1.8) | Realme C65's 50MP sensor captures much more detail and handles low light better than the Nokia C21 Plus's 13MP sensor. |
| Front Camera | 5MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/2.0) | Realme C65 captures sharper selfies with more detail and a wider aperture is better in low light. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP (f/2.4) | 2MP (f/2.4) | Both feature similar depth sensors which work for basic bokeh portrait effects. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both phones record in the same standard quality. |
| Slow-motion | No | Yes, 120fps | The Realme C65 offers slow-motion capabilities, adding creative video options. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Front Flash | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Nokia C21 Plus has an additional feature: Continuous shooting, Front Flash; Realme C65 has an additional feature: Digital image stabilization. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Realme C65 has a much larger battery, which will likely translate into significantly better battery life. |
| Charging | 10W | 45W | Realme C65 charges much faster, reducing downtime and getting you back up and running quickly. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer, Non-removable | Li-Polymer, Non-removable | Similar battery technologies on both devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Realme C65 ships with a newer version of Android offering newer features, better security updates, and improved performance. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, Wi-Fi Hotspot | 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct | Realme C65 supports Dual band and Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 LE, A2DP, LE | Bluetooth 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID, LE | Realme C65 uses a more modern Bluetooth version offering better connectivity with supporting devices |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Realme C65 supports Beidou and QZSS for more accurate global positioning, Nokia C21 Plus uses SUPL |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support Dual SIM Dual Standby. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB or 64GB | 128GB or 256GB | Realme C65 offers considerably more internal storage; useful for more apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 2GB or 4GB | 6GB or 8GB | Realme C65 provides substantially more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither phone has expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio quality | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Identical audio features |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have basic biometric security features, side-mounted sensors on the Realme C65 are faster and more modern |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity; Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Realme C65 offers more sensors including a fingerprint sensor, increasing the number of usage options |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
Nokia C21 Plus Strengths:
- Lighter: Its lighter build can be a plus for some users who prioritize a featherweight device.
- Simplicity: A simpler phone with a basic set of features. It does have a Front Flash option missing on the Realme C65
Realme C65 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Helio G85 chipset and higher RAM give it a huge leap in performance over the Nokia C21 Plus.
- Larger, Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate and a slightly larger screen make for a more enjoyable visual experience.
- Superior Camera: A higher resolution main camera and better selfie camera, make it better in different shooting conditions.
- Much Better Battery Life and Charging: Larger battery combined with faster charging gives it a major edge in real-world usage.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 14 out of the box and will likely get more updates than the C21 Plus.
- More Storage: Comes with substantially more storage and Ram.
- Better Sensors: Realme has an additional compass sensor.
- Modern Biometric Security: A side-mounted fingerprint sensor offers a more modern and seamless unlocking experience.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Nokia C21 Plus: It's quite dated in terms of performance, storage, and camera compared to modern phones. Its software is also quite outdated.
- Realme C65: Both phones do not have expandable storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia C21 Plus:
- Best For: Users who need a basic phone, where simplicity, battery life, and affordability are the highest priority. This could be suitable for elderly users or as a secondary device.
- Use Cases: Basic calling, messaging, web browsing, and simple apps. Not suitable for any gaming or advanced applications.
- Value: Not recommended at all, since similar-priced phones like the Realme C65 offers way better performance.
Realme C65:
- Best For: Users seeking a balance between performance and value. It will be suitable for everyday use and gaming.
- Use Cases: Everyday use with apps, social media, streaming videos, light gaming, and photography. Suitable for most users who don't have high-end smartphone demands.
- Value: Offers a superior bang for the buck, with better performance, a more capable camera, and overall better features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to ask when deciding between these phones:
- How much do I value performance and speed?
- If responsiveness and smooth multitasking are important, the Realme C65 is the better option. If you just need to make calls and are not concerned about performance, the Nokia C21 Plus can be an option.
- How important is battery life and fast charging?
- The Realme C65's larger battery and 45W fast charging is a significant advantage for power users, those who are always on the move and cannot worry about charging. The C21 Plus will require more patience.
- What is my budget, and do I care about future software updates?
- Given that both phones are in the budget category, if the price is similar between both phones, the Realme C65 is a better value proposition. It also ships with Android 14 and will have longer software support than the Nokia C21 Plus.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Basic User: If you are on a very tight budget and just need the absolute most basic phone, the Nokia C21 Plus could be a choice, however I would suggest you choose a newer budget phone.
- General Daily User: The Realme C65 is the clear winner, offering better performance, camera, battery life, and software for an affordable price. This makes it suitable for the vast majority of users.
- User Concerned with Photography: The Realme C65 provides better camera quality, a wider aperture and a higher resolution for better photos and selfies. It also features a slow-motion mode.
- Casual Gamer: The Realme C65 is a clear choice, with more powerful graphics and much better performance for most game titles.
Conclusion:
After thorough analysis, the Realme C65 is the clear winner for me in almost every category. Its superior performance, better camera, larger battery with faster charging, updated software, and modern features make it the better choice by a large margin. I cannot find any reason to choose the Nokia C21 Plus, given that other similarly-priced phones offer much better features.
