Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications for the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024), focusing on their practical implications.
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 162.6 × 74.8 × 8.3 mm | The Motorola is noticeably larger, potentially less comfortable in smaller hands or pockets. |
| Weight | 169g | 190g | The Samsung is lighter making it more comfortable for long usage. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-foldable phones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.7" | The Motorola offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multi-tasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same Full HD+ resolution, meaning similar clarity overall. |
| PPI | 421 | 395 | Samsung has slightly sharper text and images on the display due to the higher pixel density |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar display quality with minor differences |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | The Samsung is slightly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Exynos 2100 is older but significantly more powerful. Motorola is more power efficient. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 514,000 | The Samsung offers smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and faster app loading. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 710 | Samsung has an edge in graphics performance |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm) | 50MP (f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm) | Motorola's main camera captures more detail in good lighting. Samsung has slightly larger pixels, better for low light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP (f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm) | None | Samsung has an dedicated zoom lens for closer shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP (f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm) | 32MP (f/2.45, 0.7µm) | Motorola captures more details in selfies. Samsung may be better in low light due to larger pixel size. |
| Wide/Macro | 12.2MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm) | 13MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm) | Motorola has higher detail, while Samsung is better at low light. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Samsung offers higher resolution video recording for professional-grade needs. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 111 | N/A | Samsung's cameras are known to perform better based on past tests. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 132 | N/A | Samsung's selfie cameras perform better based on past tests. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The Motorola will likely last longer on a single charge for most users |
| Charging | 25W Fast | 30W Fast | Motorola offers slightly faster charging |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | 15W Wireless | Samsung has reverse wireless charging |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages each phone holds:
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers significantly higher processing power, leading to snappier performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom, and the primary cameras are known to produce high quality photos and video, supported by 8k video recording.
- Better screen protection: Using Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Ability to charge other wireless devices
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.7" screen provides a more immersive viewing experience, better for media consumption and productivity.
- Larger Battery: A 5000mAh battery ensures significantly longer battery life, ideal for users who are frequently away from a charger.
- Stylus Support: Integrated stylus expands functionality for note-taking, sketching, and navigation.
- Newer software: comes with Android 14 with a path to Android 15.
- Newer Connectivity: supports Wi-Fi 6E for faster and more stable internet and newer Bluetooth version
- eSIM Support: Ability to use eSIMs for more convenient switching.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung: The S21 has a smaller battery and screen, but packs better processing power and a more advanced camera.
- Motorola: The G Stylus has a larger screen and battery, but it doesn't pack the processing power of the S21.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Power Users: Individuals who need high processing power for demanding apps, games, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value advanced camera capabilities, including optical zoom and high-resolution video recording.
- Users Wanting Compact Design: People who prefer a smaller phone that is lighter and fits well in the hand or pocket.
- Users who value performance over battery life: For those who frequently have access to charging and value power.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Gaming: High framerates and smooth performance in demanding games.
- Video Editing: 8K video recording and powerful processing for editing on the go.
- Photography: Capturing detailed shots with the telephoto zoom and high-quality sensors.
Ideal User for Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024):
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a large display for watching videos, browsing, and reading.
- Heavy Users: Individuals who need long battery life to last through a full day of use.
- Note-Takers and Creators: Users who value stylus functionality for note-taking, sketching, and general navigation.
- Users who prioritize battery and screen size: For those who don't need top-end performance, but need a reliable and long-lasting phone.
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024):
- Entertainment: Watching movies, TV shows, and online videos.
- Productivity: Taking notes, sketching, and navigating using the stylus.
- All-Day Use: Battery lasts all day, even with intensive use.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is an older flagship, likely to be found at a competitive price and offering a very good performance to price ratio.
- The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) offers good features in a mid-range phone with the benefit of newer connectivity, software and battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to consider before making a decision:
Do you prioritize processing power and camera quality, or do you prefer long battery life and a larger screen?
- If processing power and camera are more important, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a better fit.
- If battery life, a larger display, and stylus functionality are preferred, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the better choice.
How important is the stylus functionality, and do you use a smartphone for notetaking or creative tasks?
- If the stylus is crucial for your workflow, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is the clear winner.
- If you do not need a stylus, the Samsung is a great alternative.
Are you on a budget?
- If you are on a tight budget, the S21 is likely going to be cheaper and provides a lot of performance.
- If you are able to spend more for a larger screen, bigger battery and newer features, the Motorola is a solid pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer/Power User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its superior performance and better gaming capabilities.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Worker: Choose the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) for its larger battery, screen and integrated stylus.
- Scenario 3: Media Consumer on a Budget: Either would work, but it depends on if you are okay with a smaller screen for greater processing and camera quality. If battery and size are more important, the Moto G Stylus is a good fit.
What I Would Choose:
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) offers a larger screen, stylus, and significantly better battery life, the superior performance of the Exynos 2100 chipset and the advanced camera system in the S21 is very appealing to me. The difference in processing power is noticeable, especially for multitasking and gaming, which are important aspects for my daily usage. While the battery is smaller, I prefer the slightly smaller size of the phone and am okay with charging it more often for the performance and camera quality benefits it offers. The DXOMark scores for the S21 camera system are significantly better, which are important to me as someone who takes a lot of photos. While it is an older phone, the performance offered with the price makes it a very good value.
