Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III
Shop Android Smartphones
Realme C21
Starting at
£198.00
Sony Xperia 5 III
Starting at
£142.00What's the difference between the Realme C21 and Sony Xperia 5 III?
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Sony Xperia 5 III starts at £142, £56 less than the Realme C21.
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 5 III.
- The Sony Xperia 5 III has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Realme C21 has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III specs
The Realme C21 and Sony Xperia 5 III both launched in 2021 but serve different needs. The Realme C21 is suited for everyday use with a larger battery and a bigger screen at a lower resolution. The Sony Xperia 5 III offers higher performance with a more powerful chipset, more RAM, and a sharper OLED display that is smaller but more detailed. Camera preferences might sway you: Realme C21 has a higher resolution main camera, while Sony Xperia 5 III has a better front camera. Network capabilities differ too, with Sony Xperia 5 III supporting 5G and Realme C21 supporting 4G. Consider what matters most, whether it is screen quality, speed, or battery life, to find the right fit.
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III price
Colour
- BlackSold out
- BlackSold out
Storage
- 64GBSold out
- 128GBSold out
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity and software support, which affect how long a device can keep going in daily use. Both devices run Android and were released in 2021.
Battery Capacity
The Realme C21 has a 5000 mAh battery, which generally means longer use between charges compared to the Sony Xperia 5 III's 4500 mAh battery. If you prioritise longer battery life for daily tasks or extended use away from power sources, the Realme C21 is suited for that.
Battery
Foldable
Year of release
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III performance
Performance influences how smoothly the device runs apps and handles multitasking. Storage options also affect how much you can keep on your phone. Both devices offer different strengths here.
Processor Power
The Sony Xperia 5 III is powered by a Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G chipset built on 5 nm technology, which is designed for strong and efficient performance. The Realme C21 uses a Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 chipset, which suits everyday tasks. If you use demanding apps or multitask heavily, the Xperia 5 III fits those needs better.
Memory and Storage
Sony Xperia 5 III has 8 GB of RAM, supporting smoother multitasking and keeping more apps open in the background. It comes with 128GB of storage, providing more room for apps, media, and files. The Realme C21 offers 4 GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, which suits lighter use and simpler app setups.
Chipset
RAM
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III screen
Screen quality affects how content looks and feels to use. Both devices have different screen sizes, resolutions, and panel types, each catering to particular viewing preferences.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Realme C21 features a 6.5 inch display with a resolution of 720 x 1600, offering a larger but less sharp viewing area. This suits watching videos or browsing with more space on screen. The Sony Xperia 5 III has a smaller 6.1 inch screen but with a higher resolution of 1080 x 2520, delivering sharper images and finer detail, which benefits users who value clarity.
Screen Type
The Realme C21 uses an IPS LCD screen, known for good colour accuracy and viewing angles. The Sony Xperia 5 III has an OLED display, which typically offers deeper blacks and more vibrant colours. This makes the Xperia 5 III a good choice for those who want richer visuals.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III camera
Camera quality is often key for capturing memories and video calls. The front and main cameras differ in resolution, which influences image detail and clarity.
Front Camera Quality
Sony Xperia 5 III has an 8 megapixel front camera, which can capture more detail in selfies and video calls compared to the Realme C21's 5 megapixel front camera. This suits users who place importance on clearer front-facing photos.
Main Camera Resolution
The Realme C21 offers a 13 megapixel main camera, providing a higher resolution for general photography. The Sony Xperia 5 III has a 12 megapixel main camera. Users focusing on main camera resolution might prefer the Realme C21 for this reason.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III size and design
Other features influence how the phone fits your lifestyle, including network support, physical size, and SIM options. These details can affect usability and comfort.
Network and SIM
Sony Xperia 5 III supports 5G networks, offering faster mobile internet speeds where available. The Realme C21 supports 4G. Realme C21 has a dual physical SIM slot, which is convenient for managing two numbers. Sony Xperia 5 III has a single physical SIM slot.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
Realme C21 is larger and heavier, measuring 165.2 mm tall, 76.4 mm wide, 8.9 mm deep, and weighing 190 g. Sony Xperia 5 III is more compact at 157 mm tall, 68 mm wide, 8.2 mm deep, and lighter at 168 g. If you prefer a lighter phone that fits easily in one hand or pocket, the Xperia 5 III suits that. For a bigger screen and a sturdier feel, the Realme C21 fits better.
Expandable Storage
Both phones support microSDXC cards, allowing you to add extra storage beyond the built-in capacity. This is useful if you store lots of photos, videos or apps.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Realme C21 or Sony Xperia 5 III: which should you buy?
Buy the Realme C21 if
- 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 5 III if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £142, £56 less than the Realme C21
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want an OLED screen
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III FAQs
Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 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 5 III. The Sony Xperia 5 III has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
The Sony Xperia 5 III is cheaper refurbished, from £142 compared with £198 for the Realme C21.
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 5 III in 128GB.
