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Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G

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Realme C21

Starting at

£198.00
See options

Sony Xperia 5 III 5G

Starting at

£499.00
See options
(1 review)

What's the difference between the Realme C21 and Sony Xperia 5 III 5G?

Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Realme C21 starts at £198, £301 less than the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G.

Refurbished from

£198£499

Chipset

Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)

RAM

4 GB8 GB

Battery

5000 mAh4500 mAh

Screen size

6,5 inch6.1 inch

Screen type

IPS LCDOLED
  • Chipset: Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 on the Realme C21, Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G.
  • The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G 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 5G specs

The Realme C21 and Sony Xperia 5 III 5G both arrived in 2021 but cater to different needs. The Realme C21 suits everyday use with a larger battery and a bigger screen that is good for watching videos. It offers dual SIM support and a 4G connection. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G appeals to those wanting a sharper, more vibrant screen and stronger performance with a faster chipset, more RAM, and 5G connectivity. It is lighter and a bit slimmer, with more internal storage for apps and media. Your choice depends on whether you prioritise battery life and screen size or speed and display quality.

Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G price

Colour

  • BlackSold out
  • BlackSold out

Storage

  • 64GBSold out
  • 256GBSold out

Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G battery life and software updates

Durability covers battery capacity and design features that affect everyday use. Both phones run Android but their battery sizes differ, which impacts how long they last between charges.

Battery Capacity

The Realme C21 has a 5000 mAh battery, which provides longer use between charges. This suits users who need their phone to last through the day without frequent charging. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G has a 4500 mAh battery, slightly smaller but still substantial for typical daily use.

Battery

5000 mAh4500 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Year of release

20212021

Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G performance

Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage, which affect speed, multitasking, and space for apps and files. These two phones differ significantly in these areas.

Processor and RAM

The Realme C21 uses a Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 chipset with 4 GB of RAM, making it suitable for everyday tasks and basic app use. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G features a Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G chipset and 8 GB of RAM, supporting smoother multitasking and more demanding applications.

Storage Capacity

Realme C21 comes with 64 GB of storage, enough for standard app collections and files. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G offers 256 GB, which is ideal if you keep many apps, photos, and videos on your device.

Chipset

Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)

RAM

4 GB8 GB

Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G screen

Screen quality influences how content looks and feels to use. The two phones differ in size, resolution, and screen technology, which changes the viewing experience.

Screen Size and Resolution

The Realme C21 has a 6.5 inch screen with a 720 x 1600 resolution, offering a larger but less sharp display good for video and casual browsing. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G has a smaller 6.1 inch screen but with a higher 1080 x 2520 resolution, providing sharper images and text.

Screen Technology

Realme C21 uses an IPS LCD screen, which delivers good colour and viewing angles. Sony Xperia 5 III 5G features an OLED screen, known for deeper blacks and more vivid colours, enhancing the experience for watching media and gaming.

Resolution

720 x 16001080x2520

Screen size

6,5 inch6.1 inch

Screen type

IPS LCDOLED

Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G camera

Front camera

5 megapixelsN/A

Main camera

13 megapixelsN/A

Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G size and design

Other features include network support, SIM options, physical size, and weight. These aspects matter for connectivity, convenience, and comfort in daily use.

Mobile Network and SIM Options

The Realme C21 supports 4G and includes dual physical SIM slots, which suits those wanting to manage two phone numbers or plans simultaneously. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G supports 5G networks but has a single physical SIM slot.

Size and Weight

The Realme C21 is thicker at 8.9 mm and weighs 190 g, which might feel more substantial in hand. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G is slimmer at 8.2 mm and lighter at 168 g, making it easier to carry and hold for long periods.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

N/AUSB-C + Jack 3.5mm

Depth

8.9 mm8.2 mm

Height

165.2 mmN/A

Mobile network

4G5G

SD card slot

microSDXCmicroSDXC

SIM card

Dual Physical SIMPhysical SIM

Weight

190 g168 g

Width

76.4 mmN/A

Realme C21 or Sony Xperia 5 III 5G: which should you buy?

Buy the Realme C21 if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £198, £301 less than the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G
  • you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh)

Buy the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G if

  • you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
  • you want an OLED screen
  • you want 5G

Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G FAQs

Realme C21 vs Sony Xperia 5 III 5G 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 5G. The Sony Xperia 5 III 5G has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.

The Realme C21 is cheaper refurbished, from £198 compared with £499 for the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G.

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

Refurbished, the Realme C21 comes in 64GB, and the Sony Xperia 5 III 5G in 256GB.

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