1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-07-10 | Zenfone 10 is significantly newer, potentially offering longer software support and more up-to-date features. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 146.5 × 68.1 × 9.4 mm | S21 5G is taller and wider, while Zenfone 10 is thicker. Zenfone 10 is more compact, potentially better for one-handed use, while S21 has a more 'premium' feel with thin design |
| Weight | 169g | 172g | Virtually identical weight, both are lightweight and easily portable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 5.92" | S21 5G offers a slightly larger viewing area, potentially better for media consumption. Zenfone 10 is more compact for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical resolution - Both offer sharp visuals. |
| PPI | 421 | 445 | Zenfone 10 has slightly higher pixel density, potentially resulting in slightly sharper images |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical - vibrant colors, deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone 10 offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1100 nits | S21 5G offers better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Zenfone 10's chipset is significantly newer and more powerful, leading to better overall performance, faster app loading, and more efficient battery usage. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 10 delivers much higher performance, offering significantly improved gaming, multitasking and demanding applications performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Adreno 740 | Zenfone 10’s GPU is superior, translating to better gaming performance and smoother graphics in demanding tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4300mAh | Zenfone 10 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Zenfone 10 offers slightly faster charging speeds |
| Features | Reverse charging, 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, No charger in-box | 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse wired | Both offer wireless charging; S21 5G supports reverse wireless charging, while Zenfone 10 supports reverse wired charging. S21 5G doesn't have charger included in box. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | Zenfone 10 captures more detailed images due to higher resolution |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | S21 5G has a slightly wider aperture, potentially performing slightly better in low light |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.56" | Zenfone 10 has larger sensor, potentially improving overall image quality and light gathering. |
| Telephoto Camera | Yes | No | S21 5G has dedicated zoom capabilities |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 32MP | Zenfone 10 captures more detailed selfies due to significantly higher resolution |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.5 | S21 5G has a slightly wider aperture, potentially performing slightly better in low light |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 12.2MP | 13MP | Very similar resolutions for wide shots |
| Wide Angle Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/3.06" | S21 5G's sensor is larger which may result in a slightly better image quality. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, multiple options | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, multiple options | Similar video recording capabilities. |
| Slow Motion | 960fps | 480fps | S21 5G has more slow motion options. |
| DxoMark Mobile | Overall: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 90 | Not Available | S21 5G's camera performance is benchmarked, Zenfone 10 has not been tested. |
| DxoMark Selfie | Overall: 132, Photo: 125, Video: 145 | Not Available | S21 5G's selfie performance is benchmarked, Zenfone 10 has not been tested. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, Triple camera, Manual focus, Night Mode | Gimbal, Dual camera, Omnidirectional PDAF | Each has its own camera specialities, which can impact specific shooting needs. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 13, upgradable to 15 | Zenfone 10 is more up-to-date out of the box, although both will eventually be on Android 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7, 6E, 6, MiMO | Zenfone 10 supports the latest standards, providing faster speeds and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | Zenfone 10 has the newest bluetooth version with better energy efficiency and connection stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, L1+L5 | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, L1+L5, L1, B1, E1+E5a, B2, NavIC System | Zenfone 10 offers more accurate positioning due to a wider range of supported satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support dual SIM functionality, Nano SIM with Dual Standby. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB | Zenfone 10 offers up to 512GB of storage, which is a big difference for those needing large storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB or 16GB | Zenfone 10 offers more RAM options that is ideal for heavy users, multitasking and heavy gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device allows memory card expansion |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Zenfone 10 has slightly better audio fidelity and recording capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Zenfone 10 has side mounted fingerprint sensor for potentially easier access and more convenient unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both provide similar screen protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Gravity | S21 5G has a barometer for environmental readings. Zenfone 10 has Gravity sensor for more robust movement detection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The S21 5G has a 200 nits higher peak brightness, providing better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Telephoto Camera: The inclusion of a dedicated telephoto lens provides superior optical zoom capabilities, beneficial for photographers needing zoom functionality.
- More Comprehensive Camera Features: Includes Optical zoom and has a triple camera system.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: The ability to wirelessly charge other devices, offering added convenience.
- Barometer: Offers additional environmental sensor for specific use cases
- DxoMark Benchmarks: Camera benchmark data available from DxoMark, allowing for direct quality comparison.
Asus Zenfone 10 Advantages:
- Newer & More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers significantly better performance in all areas, including gaming and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display provides smoother animations and a more responsive experience.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery capacity and more efficient chipset may result in longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging offers faster top-ups, beneficial for users on the go.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: Main and front cameras have significantly higher resolution, resulting in more detail in photos and selfies.
- Advanced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more reliable connections.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location tracking.
- Storage Options: Offers a higher maximum storage capacity of 512 GB.
- More RAM options: Offers up to 16GB of RAM for smoother multitasking.
- Hi-Res Audio: Supports Hi-Res Audio, for a higher quality audio experience and dual microphones for better recording.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint: A side-mounted sensor for potentially more convenient unlocking.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 5G: While offering a brighter display and telephoto lens, its older chipset leads to lower overall performance compared to the Zenfone 10. It lacks modern connectivity standards like WiFi 6E, 7 and newer bluetooth 5.3.
- Zenfone 10: It lacks a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, a slightly less bright display and the convenience of reverse wireless charging. It also lacks any DxoMark benchmarking data.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a brighter display for outdoor visibility.
- Photographers who need a telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities.
- Users who often need to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Price-conscious buyers looking for a good deal on a flagship phone with a telephoto camera, excellent display and more established camera benchmarking data.
Use Cases for S21 5G:
- Outdoor photography and videography.
- Users who need reverse wireless charging features often.
- Casual gaming and everyday tasks.
- Those who prefer Samsung UI and ecosystem.
Asus Zenfone 10 Ideal User:
- Gamers and power users who demand top-tier performance.
- Users who prioritize a smooth and responsive display.
- Users who need better front-facing camera for video calls and selfies.
- Users who want the latest connectivity standards.
- Users who need more internal storage.
- Users who prioritize better audio quality.
- Users who value a compact device and cutting-edge tech.
Use Cases for Zenfone 10:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Heavy multitasking and productivity.
- Mobile content creation with high resolution cameras.
- Users who need the best possible connectivity options.
- Users who value a one-handed experience.
- Audiophiles who value Hi-Res Audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Is top-tier performance for gaming and heavy tasks a must, or are everyday tasks enough?
- Camera Priorities: Is optical zoom crucial, or is higher resolution and camera features more important?
- Connectivity and Software: Do you need the latest connectivity and software version?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Conscious: If a lower price is the priority, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G provides good value, especially for a user seeking a camera with a telephoto lens and good display.
- Performance Focused: If you need top-of-the-line performance, the Asus Zenfone 10 is the clear choice due to its newer and much more powerful chipset.
- Camera Enthusiast: If zoom capability is more important, S21 5G is a better choice, however if high resolution is preferred, then Zenfone 10's cameras are the winner.
- Long term usage: For longer term use and compatibility, Zenfone 10 will be the better option due to its newer chipset and connectivity features.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 10. The primary reason for this is the significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. As a user who values performance, the jump in speed, responsiveness, and efficiency offered by the Zenfone 10 is a major advantage. While the Samsung S21 5G has the advantage of a brighter display and a telephoto lens, the overall improvements in performance, battery efficiency, and software support make the Zenfone 10 the more compelling option. The high resolution selfie camera is also something I would greatly value. The newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards are also a notable bonus for future-proofing and having the latest technology. The added audio improvements with Hi-Res audio and dual microphones is a big factor too. Although it is missing some DxoMark benchmarking data, the newer cameras should offer comparable performance to the S21 5G. Therefore the Zenfone 10 is the better option as a much newer device.
