Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Asus ROG Phone 5
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | Asus ROG Phone 5 is significantly larger and bulkier, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 169g | 238g | The S21 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.78" | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming, but makes the phone less portable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Both displays are sharp, with negligible difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 421 | 395 | The S21 display is slightly sharper, with no noticeable difference to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Asus ROG Phone 5 has slightly smoother scrolling and animations, a plus for gamers and fast paced videos. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a significantly brighter screen making it more readable outdoors. (Note: 0 nits for Asus ROG Phone 5 is likely a data error as all smartphones have brightness values, needs clarification) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Snapdragon 888 in the ROG Phone 5 generally offers better raw performance and gaming capabilities compared to the Exynos 2100 in the Galaxy S21. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 883,000 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has noticeably higher benchmark scores, indicating it might handle demanding apps and games more smoothly. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | The Adreno 660 in the ROG Phone 5 is generally superior for graphics-intensive tasks, especially gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 6000mAh | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a much larger battery, likely offering significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 65W fast charging | Asus ROG Phone 5 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | Bypass Charging | S21 offers more flexible charging options, ROG 5 has bypass for longer gaming sessions. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.8 | Asus ROG Phone 5 captures more detailed images with higher resolution. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0 | None | S21 has a telephoto camera for optical zoom capabilities and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 24MP, f/2.45 | Asus ROG Phone 5 captures higher resolution selfies, and a larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.5 | Both have wide angle capabilities with similar specs, Samsung with a smaller aperture. |
| Macro Camera | None | 5MP, f/2.0 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has a dedicated macro camera for close up shots. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | Both offer high-resolution video capabilities. Asus ROG Phone 5 can record at 4k at 120 fps. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS, OIS | EIS | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers OIS for smoother video recording. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 111 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a tested good camera quality, the other lacks any score. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 132 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a tested good selfie camera quality, the other lacks any score. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both started with the same OS, but have different max version support. |
| Max OS version | 15 | 12 | S21 is supposed to get more future android upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) + MiMO | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers MiMO for enhanced WiFi connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 | Asus ROG Phone 5 has the latest Bluetooth tech. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, NavIC | Asus ROG Phone 5 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both offer dual SIM capability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers the option of more internal storage. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB, 12 GB, 16 GB, or 18 GB | Asus ROG Phone 5 provides more RAM options, especially for heavy gaming and multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio | Asus ROG Phone 5 offers more high-fidelity audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor technology for device security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Samsung Galaxy S21 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G includes additional Barometer sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More Compact and Lightweight: Easier to handle, pocketable, and comfortable for prolonged use.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. (Note: Asus ROG Phone 5 needs clarification)
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Wireless Charging: Offers added convenience for charging and powering other devices.
- Telephoto Camera: Provides better optical zoom capabilities, which is beneficial for capturing more distant subjects.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus is the latest generation.
- Barometer sensor: Provides ambient air pressure data.
- Tested Camera Quality: Has tested and rated camera capabilities.
- Software Support: Supposed to receive more Android updates
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Larger Display: More immersive experience for gaming and media consumption.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother visuals and animations for gaming and scrolling.
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 888 generally offers better performance compared to Exynos 2100.
- Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Much quicker battery top-ups.
- More RAM Options: Comes in higher RAM variants for better performance.
- More Internal Storage Options: Comes in 512 GB variant.
- Enhanced Audio: Offers DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, and more microphones for clearer audio and voice capture.
- Macro Camera: Dedicated macro camera for detailed close up shots.
- Latest Bluetooth Version: Features Bluetooth 5.2, newer than the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
- Better GPS Support: Supports more satellite systems.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Lacks the raw gaming performance and battery life of the ROG Phone 5.
- Asus ROG Phone 5: Larger, bulkier, heavier, and potentially less portable. The lower screen brightness might hinder outdoor visibility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is ideal for:
- General users who want a premium, compact phone. Its size and weight make it easy to carry and use daily.
- Users who value camera quality and versatility. The telephoto lens and tested camera scores are major selling points.
- Users who want a good screen and a premium experience in a more compact form factor.
- Users who value Wireless and Reverse Wireless charging.
- Users who value software support.
- Everyday photography. The camera system offers great image quality for diverse conditions.
Asus ROG Phone 5 is ideal for:
- Hardcore mobile gamers. Its large display, high refresh rate, powerful chipset, and superior cooling offer a fantastic gaming experience.
- Users who prioritize battery life. The larger battery ensures all-day usage, even under heavy load.
- Users who need high performance and multitasking capabilities. Higher RAM options make it perfect for heavy users.
- Users who are avid consumers of media. Large display, great audio and fast charging make it a great choice.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: portability or performance? If a compact phone is a must, choose the S21. For the ultimate gaming experience, the ROG Phone 5 is better.
- How important is the camera? The S21 has a more versatile camera system, and tested DXOMark scores.
- How crucial is battery life? The ROG Phone 5 offers significantly better endurance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the casual user: The Samsung S21 5G will provide a well-rounded experience with a great camera, good performance, and a smaller, more manageable size.
- For the power user: The Asus ROG Phone 5 is better, providing much better performance, battery life and storage capabilities.
- For the photography enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers more versatility with its telephoto camera, and a tested camera quality.
- For the mobile gamer: The Asus ROG Phone 5 is the better choice, providing better gaming performance, larger screen and refresh rate, and longer battery life.
Final Decision
If I had to choose one phone, I would pick the Asus ROG Phone 5. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a fantastic phone in its own right, the ROG Phone 5's superior performance, much longer battery life, larger display with 144Hz refresh rate, and better audio make it the more compelling option for my needs. I tend to use my phone for both work and media consumption, and the ROG Phone 5's enhanced capabilities in these areas are more important to me than a smaller form factor, and the wireless charging. Although the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a great phone for everyday use, the ROG Phone 5 is tailored for demanding usage patterns, which is what I need more. I also find the better storage and RAM options more interesting.
