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OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21

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OnePlus Nord 2 5G

Starting at

£145.00
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Realme C21

Starting at

£198.00
See options
(31 reviews)
(1 review)

What's the difference between the OnePlus Nord 2 5G and Realme C21?

OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G starts at £145, £53 less than the Realme C21.

Refurbished from

£145£198

Chipset

Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35

RAM

8 GB4 GB

Battery

4500 mAh5000 mAh

Screen size

6.43 inch6,5 inch

Screen type

Fluid AMOLEDIPS LCD
  • Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G, Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 on the Realme C21.
  • The OnePlus Nord 2 5G has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
  • The Realme C21 has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.

OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21 specs

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G and Realme C21, both released in 2021, offer distinct strengths suited to different users. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G is designed for those who want a faster, smoother experience with more memory and a higher resolution screen. It also supports 5G for quicker mobile internet. The Realme C21 suits users who prefer longer battery life and expandable storage via microSD card. Its larger screen size and microSD slot make it suitable for everyday tasks and media consumption with flexibility in storage. Both run Android and come unlocked with dual SIM support.

OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21 price

Colour

  • BlueSold out
  • GreySold out
  • BlackSold out

Storage

  • 128GBSold out
  • 256GBSold out
  • 64GBSold out

OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21 battery life and software updates

Both phones come with Android and share their release year.

Battery Capacity

The Realme C21 has a 5000 mAh battery, providing longer usage between charges, ideal for users prioritising battery life. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G has a 4500 mAh battery, which still offers substantial daily power but with slightly less capacity.

Software Updates

Both come with Android and were released in 2021.

Battery

4500 mAh5000 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Year of release

20212021

OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21 performance

Performance depends on processing power, memory, and storage options. These influence how smoothly apps run and how much data you can store.

Processor and RAM

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G features a Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset built on a 6 nm process and 8 GB of RAM, making it well suited to running multiple apps and demanding tasks smoothly. The Realme C21 uses a Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 chipset and 4 GB of RAM, which supports everyday use and lighter multitasking.

Storage Options

OnePlus Nord 2 5G is available with 128 GB or 256 GB of storage, offering ample space for apps, photos, and files. Realme C21 comes with 64 GB storage, suitable for users with simpler storage needs.

Chipset

Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35

RAM

8 GB4 GB

OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21 screen

Screen quality affects viewing comfort and media enjoyment. Both size and resolution matter, along with screen technology.

Screen Size and Resolution

The Realme C21 has a slightly larger 6.5 inch screen, offering more viewing space for videos and browsing. Its resolution is 720 x 1600, which suits everyday viewing. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G has a 6.43 inch screen with a higher resolution of 1080 x 2400, giving sharper images and finer detail.

Screen Type

OnePlus Nord 2 5G uses Fluid AMOLED technology, which typically provides more vibrant colours and deeper blacks, enhancing photo and video viewing. Realme C21 uses an IPS LCD screen, which offers good colour accuracy and wide viewing angles.

Refresh rate

90 HzN/A

Resolution

1080 x 2400720 x 1600

Screen size

6.43 inch6,5 inch

Screen type

Fluid AMOLEDIPS LCD

OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21 camera

Camera quality is important for capturing photos and video calls. Front and main camera megapixels indicate the detail each device can capture.

Front Camera

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G has a 32 megapixel front camera, suited for high-detail selfies and video calls. The Realme C21 has a 5 megapixel front camera, which supports everyday video chat and basic selfies.

Main Camera

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G features a 50 megapixel main camera that can capture detailed photos, ideal for photography enthusiasts or those who want higher quality images. Realme C21 offers a 13 megapixel main camera, fitting for general photography.

Front camera

32 megapixels5 megapixels

Main camera

50 megapixels13 megapixels

OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21 size and design

Other features include network support, physical dimensions, SIM options, and storage expandability, which influence daily convenience and device fit.

Network Compatibility

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G supports 5G networks, delivering faster data speeds where available for smoother streaming and downloads. The Realme C21 supports 4G networks, suitable for reliable everyday connectivity.

Storage Expansion

Realme C21 includes a microSDXC slot, allowing you to expand storage with a memory card, ideal for those needing extra space for media and files. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G does not have a microSD card slot.

Physical Size and Weight

Realme C21 measures 165.2 mm in height, 76.4 mm in width, and 8.9 mm in depth, with a weight of 190 g, offering a slightly larger and wider feel. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G is more compact at 159.1 mm tall, 73.3 mm wide, and 8.3 mm deep, weighing 189 g, which may suit users preferring a smaller phone.

SIM Options

Both phones support dual physical SIM cards and come unlocked, providing flexibility for managing two numbers or carriers.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

USB-CN/A

Depth

8.3 mm8.9 mm

Height

159.1 mm165.2 mm

Mobile network

5G4G

SD card slot

NomicroSDXC

SIM card

Dual Physical SIMDual Physical SIM

Weight

189 g190 g

Width

73.3 mm76.4 mm

OnePlus Nord 2 5G or Realme C21: which should you buy?

Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £145, £53 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 Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21 FAQs

OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Realme C21 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G, Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 on the Realme C21. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G is cheaper refurbished, from £145 compared with £198 for the Realme C21.

The Realme C21 has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G has a higher-resolution main camera: 50 megapixels vs 13 megapixels.

Refurbished, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the Realme C21 in 64GB.

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