OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21
Shop Android Smartphones
OnePlus 9R
Starting at
£189.00
Realme C21
Starting at
£198.00What's the difference between the OnePlus 9R and Realme C21?
OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the OnePlus 9R starts at £189, £9 less than the Realme C21.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) on the OnePlus 9R, Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 on the Realme C21.
- The OnePlus 9R has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Realme C21 has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.
OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21 specs
The OnePlus 9R and Realme C21 both come from 2021 and run Android, but they cater to different users. The OnePlus 9R offers stronger performance with a Snapdragon 870 5G chipset and 8 GB of RAM, making it suitable for users who want smoother multitasking and faster app responses. Its Fluid AMOLED screen with higher resolution and sharper cameras suit those who value display quality and photography. The Realme C21 has a larger 5000 mAh battery and supports microSDXC cards for storage expansion, fitting users who need longer battery life and extra storage for everyday tasks. It also uses a 4G network and has a MediaTek Helio G35 chipset with 4 GB RAM, good for everyday phone use and longer daily uptime.
OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21 price
Colour
- BlueSold out
- BlackSold out
Storage
- 128GBSold out
- 64GBSold out
OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21 battery life and software updates
Battery capacity and software updates contribute to how long a device can stay in use between charges and over time. Both phones run Android and were released in 2021, so their software environments are similar.
Battery Capacity
The Realme C21 has a 5000 mAh battery, which offers more energy storage compared to the OnePlus 9R's 4500 mAh. This larger battery suits users who prioritise longer usage between charges, especially for everyday tasks such as browsing and messaging.
Battery
Foldable
Year of release
OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21 performance
Performance is shaped by chipset, RAM, and storage. These affect how quickly apps run, how many can stay open, and how much data or media you can keep on the device.
Chipset Power
The OnePlus 9R uses a Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G chipset built on 7 nm technology. This chipset supports 5G connectivity and is designed for faster processing. It suits users who want responsive performance for demanding apps and smoother multitasking.
Memory Capacity
With 8 GB of RAM, the OnePlus 9R can keep more apps active in the background, supporting a fluid user experience when switching between tasks. The Realme C21 has 4 GB of RAM, which is appropriate for everyday use such as calls, messaging, and casual apps.
Storage Options
OnePlus 9R models available here come with 128 GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, and media. Realme C21 offers 64 GB, which suits users with lighter storage needs or those who manage files carefully.
Chipset
RAM
OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21 screen
Screen quality affects how content looks and feels to use. Resolution, size, and panel type determine sharpness, colour richness, and viewing comfort.
Resolution and Size
The OnePlus 9R has a 6.55 inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. This higher resolution means sharper text and images, making it suited to users who watch videos or read on their phone frequently. The Realme C21's 6.5 inch screen has 720 x 1600 pixels resolution, which works well for everyday viewing.
Screen Technology
OnePlus 9R features a Fluid AMOLED screen that offers deeper blacks and more vibrant colours, enhancing media and photo viewing. Realme C21 uses an IPS LCD display, which provides good visibility and natural colours for general use.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21 camera
Camera quality matters for capturing photos and selfies. Megapixel counts indicate the detail level each camera can record.
Front Camera Detail
The OnePlus 9R has a 16 megapixel front camera, ideal for clearer and more detailed selfies or video calls. Realme C21's 5 megapixel front camera suits straightforward video chats and casual selfies.
Main Camera Resolution
For main photography, the OnePlus 9R offers a 48 megapixel camera, capturing more detail in photos. Realme C21 comes with a 13 megapixel main camera, which is well suited for everyday snapshots and simple photography needs.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21 size and design
Other features include network support, physical dimensions, and storage expansion options. These affect connectivity, portability, and how much you can store beyond internal memory.
Mobile Network
OnePlus 9R supports 5G networks, which provide faster data speeds where available. Realme C21 works on 4G networks, suitable for reliable everyday connectivity in areas without 5G coverage.
Storage Expansion
Realme C21 includes a microSDXC slot for adding external storage, useful for storing extra photos, videos, or files. OnePlus 9R does not have a microSDXC slot, so storage remains fixed at the internal 128 GB.
Physical Size and Weight
OnePlus 9R measures 161 mm in height, 74.1 mm in width, and 8.4 mm in depth, weighing 189 g. Realme C21 is slightly taller at 165.2 mm, wider at 76.4 mm, and thicker at 8.9 mm, with a weight of 190 g. These differences may affect how the phone feels in your hand or pocket.
SIM Card and Carrier Compatibility
Both phones come unlocked and support dual physical SIM cards, allowing use with two numbers or carriers simultaneously.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
OnePlus 9R or Realme C21: which should you buy?
Buy the OnePlus 9R if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £189, £9 less than the Realme C21
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want an OLED screen
Buy the Realme C21 if
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh)
- you want a memory card slot
OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21 FAQs
OnePlus 9R vs Realme C21 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) on the OnePlus 9R, Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 on the Realme C21. The OnePlus 9R has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
The OnePlus 9R is cheaper refurbished, from £189 compared with £198 for the Realme C21.
The Realme C21 has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.
The OnePlus 9R has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 13 megapixels.
Refurbished, the OnePlus 9R comes in 128GB, and the Realme C21 in 64GB.
