Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Apple iPhone 14 Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-10-07 | iPhone 14 Plus is newer by 1 year, 8 months, making it potentially more future-proof in terms of software updates. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.8 mm | S21 is more compact and easier to handle, while the 14 Plus has a larger footprint. |
| Weight | 169g | 203g | S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.7" | iPhone 14 Plus offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1284x2778 | iPhone 14 Plus has a noticeably sharper display with more detail, suitable for high-resolution content. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 458 | iPhone 14 Plus has a slightly crisper display, though the difference might not be noticeable to everyone. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; difference in technology names is minimal in practice. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 has a smoother display, making scrolling and animations feel more fluid, important for gamers. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | S21 is slightly brighter, which can be beneficial for outdoor use under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | A15 Bionic is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading and smoother gaming experience. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 1,330,312 | iPhone 14 Plus has much higher benchmark performance, translating to better overall system speed. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Apple GPU (5-core) | A15 Bionic's GPU is more powerful, better for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4325mAh | iPhone 14 Plus has slightly larger battery capacity, likely resulting in slightly longer usage time. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Standard Charging | S21 supports fast charging; Apple does not specify charging speed which is often less than Samsung's fast charging capabilities. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | MagSafe, Qi Magnetic Charging | S21 offers more versatile charging options; iPhone has MagSafe eco-system |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66", 1.9µm | iPhone 14 Plus's main sensor is slightly better in low light due to wider aperture and bigger pixel size. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | S21 offers optical zoom, enabling better detail when zooming in, a feature absent from the 14 Plus. |
| Ultra-wide | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | iPhone 14 Plus offers dedicated ultrawide angle lens while Samsung only provides it as part of its macro lens. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 12MP, f/1.9, | iPhone 14 Plus has a slightly better selfie camera, capturing more light and detail. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21 offers higher resolution video recording, while 14 Plus is limited to 4K; both offer smooth footage with EIS and stereo sound. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 133 | iPhone 14 Plus has superior camera performance overall based on DxOMark benchmarks. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 132 | 144 | iPhone 14 Plus has a significantly better selfie camera, capturing more light and detail. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | iOS 16 (upgradable to 18) | Different ecosystems, Android offers greater customization, iOS has a streamlined experience with a closed eco-system. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Similar support, with each offering some features not present in other. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | iPhone 14 Plus uses newer, more efficient Bluetooth technology. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, L1+L5 | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Both offer reliable location tracking, with each offering features not present in other. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone 14 Plus supports eSIM, which can simplify switching between carriers, with a trade off of not being able to use 2 physical sim cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | iPhone 14 Plus offers more storage options with up to 512GB, while S21 has a max of 256GB. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB | S21 has more RAM, which could potentially be beneficial for heavy multitasking or running demanding applications; iPhone utilizes efficient RAM management. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both phones do not support expandable storage, so users need to choose the right internal capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | iPhone 14 Plus offers more advanced audio with the addition of Dolby Digital Plus and DTS/DTS X, offering a better audio experience, for sound quality aficionados. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic security features | S21 offers the convenience of a fingerprint sensor for fast unlocking, the iPhone 14 Plus uses face unlock. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 has better screen protection against scratches and drops, iPhone 14 Plus protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | S21 has a comprehensive sensor suite that includes fingerprint and compass sensors while iPhone 14 Plus relies on face unlock and an internal compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience, especially during scrolling and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging gets the battery up to speed quicker.
- Versatile Charging: Reverse and Wireless charging give additional convenience.
- Optical Zoom Camera: Dedicated telephoto lens provides clear zoom capabilities.
- More RAM: Offers 2GB of additional RAM which makes multitasking more efficient and improves gaming performance.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a convenient biometric option for quick unlocking.
- Lighter Design: Easier to handle and carry, especially for extended use.
- Screen Protection: Superior screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable, offering good value for price conscious consumers.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus Advantages:
- Superior Performance: A15 Bionic chip is significantly faster and more efficient.
- Larger Screen: 6.7-inch display is ideal for media consumption and multi-tasking.
- Better Camera: Significantly better photo and video quality based on DXOmark scores and real-world use.
- Wider Aperture Main Camera: Better low-light performance.
- Latest Bluetooth: Has the latest Bluetooth, offering better connection and energy efficiency.
- Longer Software Support: iOS updates are typically available for a longer duration than Android on Samsung phones.
- More Storage: Option for 512GB, ideal for users who store a lot of files, photos, and videos.
- Enhanced Audio Quality: Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X improve sound quality significantly.
- eSIM Support: Offers the option to use a digital sim card for flexibility.
- MagSafe Eco-system: Access to the magsafe ecosystem for charging and accessories.
Trade-offs:
- S21: While it has a smoother display and is more affordable, it is older and has lower performance and camera quality compared to the iPhone.
- iPhone 14 Plus: While it offers superior performance, display, camera, software and build quality, it has a higher price point and does not offer fast charging, expandable storage or a fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Price-Conscious Users: Those who want a capable phone without breaking the bank.
- Gamers: The 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother gaming experience and the fingerprint sensor is very convenient for daily use.
- Users Who Value Versatile Charging: Those who want the flexibility of fast, reverse, and wireless charging.
- Android Customization Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate the level of customization that Android provides.
- Those who value Lightweight Phones: The S21 is notably lighter.
Use Cases for S21 5G:
- Daily Mobile Use: Social media, browsing, emails, and communication.
- Casual Gaming: Enjoying games with the 120Hz display.
- Travel Photography: Taking photos with an optical zoom camera and wider angle macro lens.
- Work on the Go: Utilizing fast charging to ensure productivity during travel.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Content Creators: Those who value high-quality camera for photos and videos.
- iOS Ecosystem Loyalists: Those who prefer Apple's closed ecosystem and its seamless integration.
- Users Who Prefer a Larger Screen: Those who enjoy watching videos and multitasking on a larger display.
- Long-term Users: Those who prefer devices that receive prolonged software updates.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Those who value great sound quality.
Use Cases for iPhone 14 Plus:
- Professional Photography & Videography: Utilizing the high-quality camera system for capturing content.
- Gaming & Graphics-Intensive Tasks: Taking advantage of the A15 Bionic's processing power.
- Media Consumption: Enjoying videos and movies on the larger, sharper display.
- Productivity: Using the large screen for multitasking across multiple applications.
- Seamless Eco-System: Utilizing the integration within the Apple eco-system of devices.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone? (S21 is more affordable)
- Performance Needs: Do you need the highest level of performance or is solid performance enough? (iPhone 14 Plus is more powerful)
- Ecosystem Preference: Do you prefer Android or iOS ecosystem? (S21 uses Android, iPhone 14 Plus uses iOS)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Value-Oriented: If you are looking for a great experience without breaking the bank, and prioritize features like a smooth 120Hz display, versatile charging and light-weight design, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Top Performance & Camera Priority: If you are a power user who needs the fastest performance, superior camera and media capabilities, and you prefer the iOS experience, the Apple iPhone 14 Plus is a better investment.
- Scenario 3: Versatile User: If you need a smooth experience, a great camera but also prefer android and its customization options with a fingerprint sensor, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a great overall experience.
My Choice
If I were to choose between the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Apple iPhone 14 Plus, I would choose the Apple iPhone 14 Plus. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers some compelling features at a lower price point, the iPhone 14 Plus provides a noticeably better user experience in several key areas that are important to me.
The A15 Bionic chip offers superior performance, making the phone much smoother and faster for everyday use, and particularly when gaming and editing videos. Furthermore, the significant upgrade in camera quality from the iPhone 14 Plus is a notable advantage, offering great photos and videos in different situations. The better sound quality of the iPhone 14 Plus enhances the overall media consumption experience. Additionally, being in the iOS ecosystem aligns with my preference and offers a level of integration with other Apple devices that is important to me. While I acknowledge the advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, especially the 120Hz display and fast charging, the superior performance and camera capabilities, coupled with long-term software support of the iPhone 14 Plus, make it the better choice for me.
