Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Apple iPhone 14 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 14 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-09-16 | iPhone 14 Pro is significantly newer, meaning better long-term software support and potentially better resale value. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9 mm | S21 5G is slightly taller, but both have same width and thickness. The S21 5G will feel slightly larger in hand. |
| Weight | 169g | 206g | S21 5G is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry in a pocket. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.1" | S21 5G has a slightly larger display, which might be better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1179x2556 | iPhone 14 Pro has sharper images, text, and finer details due to higher pixel count. |
| PPI | 421 | 460 | iPhone 14 Pro offers a noticeably crisper display with higher pixel density, leading to a slightly better visual experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and color reproduction. Differences are minimal in real-world use. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones provide fluid and smooth animations, ideal for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 14 Pro is significantly better in bright sunlight, with superior visibility outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic is a newer chip, providing significantly better performance in benchmarks and real-world tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,474,011 | iPhone 14 Pro offers significantly faster performance. This is noticeable in gaming, video editing, and overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | iPhone 14 Pro offers superior graphical performance, leading to better gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 3200mAh | S21 5G likely offers longer battery life due to a larger battery capacity. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 20W fast charging, Li-Ion | S21 5G has faster charging speeds. |
| Features | Reverse/Wireless Charging | MagSafe/Qi Wireless Charging | Both offer wireless charging. The S21 supports reverse wireless charging, which can charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Res. | 12MP | 48MP | iPhone 14 Pro captures much more detailed photos with its higher resolution main sensor. |
| Standard Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.78 | Similar aperture, though the iPhone has a marginal gain in low-light situations. |
| Standard Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.3" | iPhone 14 Pro has a larger sensor, better low-light performance and dynamic range |
| Telephoto + portrait | 64MP | N/A | S21 5G has a dedicated portrait lens for zoomed in portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 10MP | 12MP | iPhone 14 Pro captures slightly more detailed selfie images. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.9 | iPhone 14 Pro performs better in low light on the selfie camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP | iPhone 14 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens, offering optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12MP | iPhone 14 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | N/A | S21 5G has a dedicated wide + macro camera, making for flexible shooting situations. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21 5G offers 8K video recording, while iPhone 14 Pro offers slightly higher frame rates for 4K. Both offer excellent quality videos. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 146 | iPhone 14 Pro has a significantly better camera system, as confirmed by DXOMark scores. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 132 | 145 | iPhone 14 Pro has a better selfie camera, as confirmed by DXOMark scores. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | iOS 16, Upgradable to 18 | Different operating systems and ecosystems. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support Wi-Fi 6, but minor differences in additional features. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | iPhone 14 Pro has the latest Bluetooth version, for more efficient and reliable connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Both have comprehensive GPS support, with slight variations. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | iPhone 14 Pro offers the flexibility of an eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | iPhone 14 Pro offers significantly more storage options, up to 1TB, appealing to users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | S21 5G has slightly more RAM. However, RAM management differs between iOS and Android, so this isn't a major disadvantage for the iPhone. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics | iPhone 14 Pro offers additional audio features, for a more immersive and crisp sound experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | S21 5G includes a fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 5G has a clearly stated superior screen protection compared to an unstated one for the iPhone. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Compass, Hall, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | The S21 5G has a wider array of sensors compared to the iPhone 14 pro. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Build: Significantly lighter (37g) making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Larger Battery: Larger 4000mAh battery capacity may offer longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging compared to the iPhone's 20W.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Ability to wirelessly charge other devices.
- Wider Angle + Macro Camera: Added versatility with a wider camera for close-up shots.
- Fingerprint sensor: Offers biometric security with a fingerprint sensor.
- Lower Price: Being an older phone, the S21 5G can be acquired for a much cheaper price.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Chipset: A16 Bionic chip offers significantly better performance.
- Superior Display: Sharper, brighter display with higher pixel density.
- Significantly Better Camera System: Higher resolution main sensor, telephoto, and wide-angle lenses, better dynamic range and low light performance, and higher video quality (based on DXOMark).
- More Storage Options: Up to 1TB internal storage, catering to heavy users.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 for more efficient and reliable connectivity.
- eSIM Support: Flexibility of using an eSIM in addition to a physical SIM.
- Stronger Ecosystem: Seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem.
- Better audio system: The Apple iPhone 14 Pro has an improved audio system compared to the Samsung S21 5G.
- Longer Software Support: The iPhone has guaranteed updates for longer than Android phones.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21 5G: Sacrifices performance and camera quality for a lighter, cheaper phone with a larger battery.
- Apple iPhone 14 Pro: Significantly heavier, smaller battery, and a higher price for its superior performance and camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious consumers: Seeking a capable phone with good value.
- Users prioritizing battery life and a lightweight phone: Those who are frequently on the go and value ease of carrying.
- Users who want the flexibility of reverse wireless charging
- Users who are content with mid-range performance: Not requiring top-tier gaming or heavy application use.
- Android users: Preference for Android OS and its customization.
- Users who like the added versatility of a macro lens
Use Cases for S21 5G:
- Daily communication and social media: Good performance for everyday tasks.
- Casual gaming: Capable of running most games smoothly.
- Long days without charging: Larger battery is beneficial when away from chargers.
- Users with lots of other devices: Using reverse wireless charging can be a life saver.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Ideal User:
- Power users: Needing the best possible performance for demanding applications.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts: Value a superior camera system for professional-quality results.
- Users deeply integrated in the Apple ecosystem: Preferring seamless integration and iOS features.
- Those who value display quality and brightness: Enjoying a visually superior display.
- Users who need a lot of local storage
- Users who need a long period of software support
- Users who prioritize quality audio and voice capture
Use Cases for iPhone 14 Pro:
- Professional photography and video production: Top-tier image and video capabilities.
- Demanding mobile gaming: Smooth performance in graphically intensive games.
- Video editing and content creation: Fast processing speeds for demanding tasks.
- Frequent use outdoors: Better display visibility in bright sunlight.
- High storage needs for media and apps
- Users who prefer the simplicity of iOS
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The iPhone 14 Pro is significantly more expensive than the S21 5G.
- What is my main use case? Are you a power user, content creator, or a casual user?
- Which ecosystem do I prefer? Do you prefer Android or iOS?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-conscious & casual user: If you're on a budget and prioritize battery life and a lighter device, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a solid choice.
- High-performance user & camera enthusiast: If you require top-tier performance, exceptional camera capabilities, and are willing to invest, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro is the superior option.
- Ecosystem Preference: If you are entrenched in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 14 Pro may be a more seamless experience; if you prefer Android, the S21 5G is better.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would personally go for the Apple iPhone 14 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a capable phone and represents a better price-to-value ratio, the significant performance jump offered by the A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 Pro is very appealing. My use case includes demanding applications, including video and photo editing, along with some high-end gaming. The iPhone 14 Pro's significantly better camera system, along with the superior screen, seals the deal. In the long term, the additional years of software support also mean a much longer lifespan for the phone. Although the iPhone is heavier and more expensive, the improvements in crucial areas are worth the price premium in my specific situation.
