1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 149.6 × 71.5 × 8.3 mm | S21 is slightly taller, iPhone 16 Pro is slightly thicker; Minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 169g | 199g | S21 is noticeably lighter; More comfortable for long periods. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.3" | Almost identical screen size, negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1206x2622 | iPhone 16 Pro is noticeably sharper, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 421 | 460 | iPhone 16 Pro has a slightly sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 16 Pro is much more visible in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Apple A18 Pro (3 nm) | Apple A18 Pro is significantly faster and more efficient; Faster app loading, smoother multitasking and gaming on iPhone. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,947,255 | iPhone 16 Pro delivers much higher performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Apple GPU (6-core) | iPhone 16 Pro has a superior GPU. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 48MP, f/1.78, 1/1.3" | iPhone 16 Pro captures much more detailed images with better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | N/A | S21 has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 12MP, f/1.9 | iPhone 16 Pro captures slightly better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.8 | iPhone 16 Pro offers more versatile zoom capabilities. |
| ToF 3D sensor | N/A | 0.8MP | iPhone 16 Pro has better depth sensing. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | iPhone 16 Pro captures higher resolution ultra-wide images. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@120fps | S21 offers 8K video but iPhone 16 Pro has a wider range of frame rates and features in 4K. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | N/A | S21's camera performance has been rated while iPhone 16 Pro's is not available. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Apple iPhone 16 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 3582mAh | S21 has a slightly larger battery. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Similar charging speeds |
| Features | 15W Wireless, Reverse Charging | 25W Wireless | S21 offers more versatile charging options; iPhone has slightly faster wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Telephoto + Portrait Camera: Dedicated sensor for zoom/portrait shots.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Could offer slightly better battery life.
- Lower cost compared to newer iPhones.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Advantages
- Significantly Faster Chipset: Much better performance for all tasks, especially gaming and demanding apps.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper and more detailed visuals.
- Much Higher Brightness: Significantly better screen visibility in bright sunlight.
- Superior Main Camera: Better low-light performance, more detail, and advanced features.
- Telephoto Lens: Greater zoom capabilities.
- ToF 3D sensor: Better depth sensing.
- Newer Bluetooth & WiFi: Offers better connectivity, speeds, and reliability.
- eSIM Support: Offers digital SIM convenience.
- Significantly More Internal Storage Options: Up to 1TB of internal storage.
- More advanced video recording: Higher 4K framerates and newer recording options.
- Better build quality
- More advanced software: Updated iOS features and future support.
Trade-offs
- S21: Offers more versatile charging, but with older chipset and weaker camera.
- iPhone 16 Pro: Significantly more expensive, heavier, and slightly smaller battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a good phone without the highest price tag.
- Users Who Value Lightness: Those who prioritize comfort during prolonged use.
- Users who like to capture portrait shots
- Users who value versatile charging: Wireless charging or reverse wireless charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday use for browsing, social media, and basic photography.
- Occasional gaming or moderate app usage.
- Users who prioritize a comfortable and lightweight feel.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Ideal Users
- Performance Enthusiasts: Gamers, professionals, or anyone needing high performance.
- Photography and Videography Buffs: Those who want the best possible image and video quality.
- Users who prioritize display quality: Enjoying bright, sharp screens.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Who value the latest technology and features.
- Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Those who use other Apple products.
- Users who want better connectivity and reliability.
- Users who need lots of storage: Up to 1TB of internal storage is available.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming and graphic-intensive tasks.
- Professional-level photography and videography.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight where screen brightness is critical.
- Users who want the best possible performance for all apps and tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Offers good value for the price, suitable for users with basic needs.
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Higher price tag but provides premium features and performance, justifying the cost for its target audience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
- What is your budget? The iPhone 16 Pro is likely significantly more expensive than the S21.
- How important is performance for your use case? If gaming or demanding apps are frequent, the iPhone is a better choice.
- Do you prioritize portability, camera quality or connectivity? The S21 is lighter, but the iPhone has a superior camera and superior connectivity (WIFI & Bluetooth).
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G provides a good overall experience at a lower cost.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Heavy User: The Apple iPhone 16 Pro offers a much faster experience that would make gaming smoother and more reliable.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: The Apple iPhone 16 Pro with its superior camera sensors, software, and video recording features should be the top choice.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor Enthusiast: The Apple iPhone 16 Pro would be a better choice as its screen is significantly brighter in outdoor use.
My Choice and Why
Personally, I would choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a capable device, the iPhone 16 Pro offers significant advantages that align with my priorities, including a substantial boost in processing power, an improved display, significantly superior camera capabilities, better connectivity, higher storage options and a more modern software experience. The higher performance and better camera are major selling points for me, even if it means sacrificing a bit of battery capacity and paying a premium price. The enhanced screen brightness, and advanced features such as the 3D ToF sensor, also contribute to a superior user experience. The slight weight increase and slightly smaller battery capacity is acceptable considering the major overall benefits.
