Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Realme C35
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | The V21 5G is more compact and slimmer, likely more comfortable for one-handed use and pocketability. The C35 is larger, which some may prefer for media consumption. |
| Weight | 176g | 189g | The V21 5G is lighter, which could be beneficial for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.6" | The C35 offers a slightly larger screen, which is beneficial for media and gaming. The V21 5G is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both offer similar sharpness, with differences being negligible. |
| PPI | 409 | 401 | Both have similar pixel density which will result in comparable clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The V21 5G's AMOLED display will provide richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast for viewing content. It is also more power-efficient when using dark themes. The C35's LCD will still offer good visuals but without the deep blacks and contrast of AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | The V21 5G's 90Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel more responsive. The C35's 60Hz display is less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unavailable for both. This might affect usability under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | The V21 5G's Dimensity 800U chipset is considerably more powerful and efficient (7nm vs 12nm), leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance compared to the C35. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 230,726 | The V21 5G demonstrates significantly better performance according to benchmark scores, translating to a smoother overall experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The V21 5G's superior GPU will deliver better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The V21 5G's higher resolution allows for greater detail, especially in well-lit scenarios. The slightly wider aperture is expected to allow for slightly better performance in low light situations. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65" sensor | 8MP, f/2.0 | The V21 5G offers a dramatically superior front-facing camera, ideal for high-quality selfies and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | The V21 5G includes an ultrawide lens for more versatile photography, capturing more in a single frame. The C35 lacks this functionality. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones feature a basic macro lens for close-up shots with similar capabilities. |
| Black & White | None | 2MP, f/2.8 | The C35 offers a dedicated B&W camera, which some users may appreciate for creative photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with OIS, 1080p@30/60fps with OIS | 1080p@30fps | The V21 5G can record at a higher resolution and also comes with optical image stabilization, resulting in sharper and more stable videos. The C35 is limited to 1080p and has no OIS. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, OIS, Ultra stable video, Front Flash, PDAF, etc. | PDAF, CDAF, etc. | The V21 5G offers more advanced features, including 4K video recording, OIS, Ultra stable video, and a front flash. The C35 offers CDAF but lacks the more advanced features found on the V21 5G. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The C35 has a larger battery which should give significantly better battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 18W fast charging | The V21 5G charges faster, meaning less time plugged in. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both use Android 11 as their OS. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | The V21 5G's higher RAM will result in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | The V21 5G offers more storage options, meaning more space for photos, videos, and apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Hotspot | The V21 5G offers additional Wi-Fi features including Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, and Wi-Fi Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC | 5.0 LE, EDR | The V21 5G offers a newer Bluetooth version and better audio codecs. The C35 features EDR. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | The V21 5G offers more satellite systems for potentially improved location accuracy. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The C35 offers a more advanced fingerprint scanner, generally faster and more reliable. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The V21 5G has the added biometric security of a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with 90Hz refresh rate provides a much better visual experience compared to the IPS LCD on the C35. This includes deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and smoother animations.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Dimensity 800U chipset offers significantly better performance than the Unisoc T616, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Higher Quality Cameras: The V21 5G features a significantly better front-facing camera (44MP vs 8MP), a higher-resolution main camera, a wide angle lens and optical image stabilization. This makes the V21 5G a better choice for photography and videography.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging is significantly faster than 18W, meaning less time spent plugged in.
- More RAM and Storage: The V21 5G offers more RAM (8GB vs 4GB), and higher storage capacity (256GB option vs 128GB), making it better for multitasking and storing more data.
- More advanced Connectivity Newer bluetooth, additional wifi features, and more advanced GPS.
Realme C35 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides significantly better battery life compared to the 4000mAh battery on the V21 5G, making it a better option for those that need long battery life.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A side-mounted sensor is often faster and more convenient than the basic fingerprint sensor included on the V21 5G.
- Black & White Camera: Offers a dedicated Black and White camera for creative photographers.
- Larger Display: The slightly larger display (6.6 vs 6.44 inches) is preferred for media consumption by some.
Trade-offs:
- The V21 5G prioritizes performance, display quality and camera over battery life, whereas the C35 prioritizes battery life and slightly larger display over everything else.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for vivo V21 5G:
- Content Creators/Social Media Enthusiasts: The superior front and rear cameras make this ideal for high-quality photos and videos.
- Gamers: The more powerful chipset and GPU ensures smoother gameplay.
- Multitaskers: The extra RAM allows for smoother app switching and use of multiple apps simultaneously.
- Users who value a quality display: The AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate makes this an excellent phone for media consumption.
- Users needing a balance of performance and portability: The V21 5G's slim and lightweight design combined with its performance makes it a great all-rounder.
Ideal User for Realme C35:
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Ideal for those needing all-day battery life without frequent charging.
- Casual Users: Perfect for basic tasks such as browsing, texting and social media.
- Price-Conscious Buyers: Suitable for those seeking a budget-friendly phone with a focus on essential features.
- Users that prefer bigger displays: A larger screen size is great for consuming media.
Specific Use Cases:
vivo V21 5G:
- High-quality video calls and recording for vlogging.
- Playing demanding mobile games at higher settings.
- Watching movies and videos with vibrant color and deep blacks.
- Professional-quality photos for social media and personal use.
Realme C35:
- Long days without access to a charger.
- Basic social media and messaging usage throughout the day.
- Budget-conscious users needing a phone for basic daily use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality and performance to you? If it's a priority, the V21 5G is the better choice. If it is not and you simply need basic functionality, the C35 will be more than enough.
- How much do you value battery life? If you prioritize long battery life above all, the C35 is the way to go.
- What kind of photography do you want to do? If you want to take high quality selfies, have access to a wide angle lens and shoot videos with OIS, the V21 5G is more suitable. The C35's camera capabilities are more basic and better suited for casual photographers.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Content Creator/Gamer: Choose the vivo V21 5G for its superior camera, display, and performance.
- Scenario 2: Battery Life Focused User: Choose the Realme C35 for its significantly larger battery capacity and long battery life.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Casual User: Choose the Realme C35 as it is likely to be more affordable.
- Scenario 4: Performance Focused User: Choose the vivo V21 5G due to its much better performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the vivo V21 5G. While the larger battery of the Realme C35 is appealing, the V21 5G's superior display technology (AMOLED with 90Hz refresh rate), significantly better performance, and more capable camera system offer a much better overall user experience. I value the improved visual experience, smoother performance, and camera versatility more than the extended battery life, and I am comfortable with charging more often to achieve those benefits. My use cases include media consumption, gaming, and photography, making the V21 5G a more compelling option for my needs.
