Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III
Shop Android Smartphones
Realme C21
Starting at
£198.00
Sony Xperia 1 III
Starting at
£367.00What's the difference between the Realme C21 and Sony Xperia 1 III?
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Realme C21 starts at £198, £169 less than the Sony Xperia 1 III.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 on the Realme C21, Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Sony Xperia 1 III.
- The Sony Xperia 1 III has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Realme C21 has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III specs
The Realme C21 and Sony Xperia 1 III both arrived in 2021 but serve different needs. Realme C21 suits those who want a large battery and a simpler phone for everyday use, with solid 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. Sony Xperia 1 III fits buyers seeking high performance and premium features such as a powerful Snapdragon chipset, 12 GB RAM, 256 GB storage, 5G connectivity, and a high-resolution OLED screen. Both have unlocked dual SIM slots and microSDXC support, but the Xperia offers a more advanced camera setup and a sharper, more colourful display. Choose Realme C21 for longer battery life and straightforward daily tasks, or Xperia 1 III for intensive use and multimedia enjoyment.
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III price
Colour
- BlackSold out
- PurpleSold out
- BlackSold out
Storage
- 64GBSold out
- 256GBSold out
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, operating system, and update support. These influence how long you can use the phone between charges and how current the software might remain.
Battery Capacity
Realme C21 has a 5000 mAh battery, which suits users who want longer time between charges, ideal for heavy daily use or long trips. Sony Xperia 1 III comes with a 4500 mAh battery, still ample but slightly smaller, which suits users who may prioritise other features over maximum battery capacity.
Operating System
Both phones run Android, providing a familiar and flexible user experience.
Battery
Foldable
Year of release
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III performance
Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage. These affect multitasking, app speed, and how much data and media you can keep on the device.
Processor and RAM
Realme C21 is powered by a Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 chipset with 4 GB RAM, suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, and social media. Sony Xperia 1 III uses a Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G chipset and 12 GB RAM, which supports demanding apps, gaming, and smooth multitasking.
Storage Space
Realme C21 offers 64 GB of storage, good for users who keep a moderate amount of apps and media. Sony Xperia 1 III provides 256 GB storage, fitting for those who store large files, videos, or many apps without frequent clearing.
Chipset
RAM
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III screen
Screen quality affects viewing comfort and media enjoyment. Resolution, size, and screen type shape how sharp and vibrant content appears on the device.
Resolution and Display Type
Realme C21 has a 720 x 1600 resolution IPS LCD screen, which is clear and bright enough for everyday use and general content viewing. Sony Xperia 1 III features a much sharper 1644 x 3840 resolution OLED screen, delivering richer colours and deeper blacks, ideal for watching high-quality videos or detailed images.
Screen Size
Both phones have a 6.5 inch screen, giving similar physical viewing space. Users who want a larger display area will find each phone equally roomy for video and browsing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III camera
Camera quality and front camera resolution affect your photos and video calls. These specs help decide which device better suits photography needs or video chats.
Main Camera
Realme C21 has a 13 megapixel main camera, suitable for everyday photos and casual snapshots. Sony Xperia 1 III comes with a 12 megapixel main camera, close in resolution but designed with different technology, which may appeal to users interested in varied shooting capabilities.
Front Camera
Realme C21's front camera is 5 megapixels, good for video calls and simple selfies. Sony Xperia 1 III offers an 8 megapixel front camera, providing extra detail for sharper self-portraits and clearer video chats.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III size and design
Additional features include network support, dimensions, and physical design. These affect connectivity, handling, and how the phone fits in your hand or pocket.
Network Technology
Realme C21 supports 4G networks, which suits users with standard mobile data needs. Sony Xperia 1 III supports 5G, fitting those who want faster download and streaming speeds where 5G is available.
Dimensions and Weight
Realme C21 measures 165.2 mm tall, 76.4 mm wide, and is 8.9 mm deep, weighing 190 g. Sony Xperia 1 III is slightly smaller at 165 mm tall, 71 mm wide, and 8.2 mm deep, weighing 186 g. Those who prefer a narrower and a bit lighter phone may find Xperia 1 III easier to hold and carry.
SIM and Storage Expansion
Both phones are unlocked and support dual physical SIM cards along with microSDXC cards for extra storage. This suits users who want flexibility with carriers and additional memory for apps and media.
Carrier compatibility
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Realme C21 or Sony Xperia 1 III: which should you buy?
Buy the Realme C21 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £198, £169 less than the Sony Xperia 1 III
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (13 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
Buy the Sony Xperia 1 III if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (8 megapixels vs 5 megapixels)
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III FAQs
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 1 III comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 on the Realme C21, Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Sony Xperia 1 III. The Sony Xperia 1 III has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
The Realme C21 is cheaper refurbished, from £198 compared with £367 for the Sony Xperia 1 III.
The Realme C21 has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.
The Realme C21 has a higher-resolution main camera: 13 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Refurbished, the Realme C21 comes in 64GB, and the Sony Xperia 1 III in 256GB.
