1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 173 × 77 × 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 7 is significantly larger and thicker, less pocketable than S21. |
| Weight | 169g | 239g | S21 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use; ROG Phone 7 is heavier, might feel cumbersome. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 7 has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming; S21 is more compact for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Both provide sharp visuals, negligible difference in perceived sharpness. |
| PPI | 421 | 395 | S21 has slightly higher pixel density, imperceptible in most cases, both display are sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, excellent contrast; similar visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 7 offers a smoother scrolling and gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | ROG Phone 7 is slightly brighter, better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 7 is significantly faster, more responsive, and handles demanding tasks with more ease; S21 is less powerful in modern terms. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,603,292 | ROG Phone 7 demonstrates much superior performance, noticeable in gaming and heavy app use. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | ROG Phone 7's GPU is more powerful, leading to better graphics in games and applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 7 has much longer battery life, allowing for extended usage without needing a recharge. |
| Charging | 25W | 65W | ROG Phone 7 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 4.5W, No Charger in-box | Bypass Charging, USB Power Adapter (65W), 10W reverse wired | S21 offers wireless charging, ROG has faster wired charging and bypass for gaming, S21 does not come with a charger. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" | ROG Phone 7 captures more detailed photos in ideal conditions, S21 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21 has dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait shots; ROG Phone 7 relies on digital zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" | ROG Phone 7 has more detailed selfie captures; S21 has wider aperture for low-light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | ROG Phone 7 offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for expanded field of view, S21 does not have a dedicated Wide Angle lens. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" | ROG Phone 7 has dedicated Macro lens for close-up shots, S21 does not have a Macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21 has a dedicated Wide Angle + Macro lens for ultrawide shots and close-up shots, ROG does not have. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, EIS, HDR | Up to 8K@24fps, EIS, HDR | Both offer similar high-resolution video, but differ in stabilization technology and slow-motion capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | No Data | S21's camera quality has been rated by DXOMark, ROG Phone 7 lacks such data. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom | No Optical Zoom | S21 includes Optical Image Stabilization and optical zoom, for steady shots and zoomed shots. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max 15 | Android 13, Max 15 | ROG Phone 7 comes with a newer Android version, will receive updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | ROG Phone 7 has the latest WiFi standard, better speed and latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | ROG Phone 7 has better Bluetooth standard, more features, and faster speeds. |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, etc. | GPS, GLONASS, etc., NavIC | ROG Phone 7 supports more satellite systems for accurate location, includes NavIC for Indian users. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support Dual Nano SIM cards, dual standby |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | ROG Phone 7 offers higher storage options for users who need more space. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8/12/16GB | ROG Phone 7 comes with more RAM, better for multitasking and heavy gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | DTS/DTS X, Hi-Res Audio | ROG Phone 7 provides better surround sound, high quality audio, and better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both devices include fingerprint sensors for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both screens are well protected from scratches, with no difference. |
| Sensors | Barometer | No Barometer, Geomagnetic | S21 Includes Barometer Sensor for altitude related data, the ROG does not include this sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle, pocketable, comfortable for one-handed use.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Offers more convenient charging options.
- Optical zoom & OIS : Has optical zoom and optical image stabilization for better camera performance.
- Better DXO Mark Score : Has a better dxomark score for both mobile and selfie camera than the ROG phone.
- Barometer : Includes barometer for environmental sensors for advanced features.
- More Mature Camera System: Known for its well-rounded performance and well-tested processing.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers significantly better performance for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Larger Display with Higher Refresh Rate: Provides a more immersive gaming and media consumption experience.
- Much Larger Battery Capacity & Fast Charging: Offers significantly longer battery life and shorter charging time.
- Better Audio System: Enhanced surround sound, higher quality audio playback, and better voice capture.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Supports Wi-Fi 7, offering the latest and best in connectivity.
- Better Selfi Camera: Higher resolution and more detailed captures.
- Wider Angle and Macro Lens: Has dedicated lenses for a wider field of view and close up shots, the S21 lacks both.
Trade-offs:
- S21: Lacks the raw power and battery life of the ROG Phone 7.
- ROG Phone 7: Larger and heavier, making it less pocketable, lacks wireless charging and has no optical zoom.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Users who value portability and one-handed use.
- Those who prefer a mature camera system with good overall performance, optical zoom, and OIS.
- Users who prefer to wireless charging for convenience
- Users who are comfortable with older, but still capable, performance.
- General smartphone users who don't heavily game or multitask.
- Users who appreciate the Samsung ecosystem.
Use Cases:
- Everyday use, social media, browsing, and light photography.
- Users who need a reliable device for communication and light productivity.
- Users who want a more compact device for portability.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ideal User:
- Mobile gamers and power users who need the best performance.
- Users who prioritize a long battery life and fast charging.
- Those who consume a lot of media and appreciate a larger display and high refresh rate.
- Users who need the latest WiFi connectivity.
- Users who value the better audio quality for music, gaming and video.
- Users who don't mind the larger size and weight.
Use Cases:
- Heavy mobile gaming with high graphics settings.
- Multitasking across multiple demanding applications.
- Watching movies and shows on the go.
- Users who want to have a future-proof device
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize raw performance and battery life or portability and ease of use?
- How important is camera quality and features? (Optical zoom, stabilization, etc.)
- Are you primarily a gamer or a general smartphone user?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers and Power Users: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 7 for its superior performance, larger display, longer battery life, faster charging and better audio experience.
- For General Users: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G if you prefer a more compact, lightweight, and mature camera system, and wireless charging.
- For Users looking for Wireless Charging: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G as the ROG Phone 7 does not have wireless charging.
- For Users looking for Optical Zoom: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G as the ROG Phone 7 does not have optical zoom.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally opt for the Asus ROG Phone 7. While I value a compact and lightweight phone, the performance and battery advantages of the ROG Phone 7 are too significant to ignore.
As a power user who frequently engages in demanding applications and games, the ROG Phone 7 provides a far superior experience for these use cases. Additionally, the larger display with a higher refresh rate would improve my overall media consumption. The inclusion of a higher quality audio system is also a big plus for immersive gaming and music. While the lack of wireless charging is a drawback, the faster charging speed and much longer battery life mitigate this issue. I would much rather plug it in and have it charged in an hour with a big battery than have wireless charging and have to charge more frequently due to lower battery life.
Ultimately, the ROG Phone 7 caters more to my specific needs and usage scenarios, despite being less portable and slightly larger. The S21 is an excellent phone and fits certain needs well, however, for me the performance of the ROG phone is more important.
