Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Motorola Moto G04s
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Motorola Moto G04s, focusing on their practical impact:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | The Moto G04s is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, which may impact one-handed use. The S21 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 169g | 178.8g | The S21 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | S21 offers better screen protection and a more premium feel with aluminum frame. G04s may feel less premium due to the plastic frame, but the plastic back can be more durable. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.56" | The G04s has a larger screen, offering more viewing area for media consumption, while S21 offers a more compact experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | The S21 has a significantly sharper display, with more clarity for text and images. The G04s may appear slightly less crisp. |
| PPI | 421 | 269 | The S21’s higher pixel density results in a much sharper and more detailed display, noticeable in fine details and small fonts. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21’s AMOLED offers superior color vibrancy, deeper blacks, and better contrast. The G04s has a more standard LCD display with lower contrast and less vivid colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The S21's 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel snappier and more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21 display is significantly brighter and much easier to see in bright sunlight. The lack of brightness spec for G04s makes it difficult to compare directly but suggests it is inferior for bright light. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | The S21's flagship-level chipset provides dramatically faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The G04s chipset is much less powerful and better suited for basic tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 220,000 | The S21 has significantly higher benchmark scores, meaning a noticeable difference in day to day usage. The G04s will feel slow in comparison. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The S21's superior GPU enables smoother graphics in games and demanding apps, offering much more capable graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 1.0µm | The G04s offers higher resolution but smaller sensor, potentially good for detail in bright light. The S21 has a larger sensor, performing better in low light. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | Not available | S21 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait shots. The G04s does not offer optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | Not available | S21 features a dedicated ultrawide angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. The G04s doesn't have this capability. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 5MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The S21 has a higher resolution selfie camera, leading to more detailed selfies. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The S21 offers dramatically higher video recording capabilities, with options for 8K and 4K recording, as well as slow motion up to 960fps. The G04s is limited to 1080p. |
| DxOMark Scores | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | Not available | The S21's camera capabilities are validated by high DxOMark scores, indicating its superior image and video quality. No comparative data available for G04s. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, 8K Video, Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), RAW, Night Mode | Optical Stabilization (OIS), Laser autofocus (LAF) | The S21 has many more advanced camera features making it more versatile. The G04s offers laser autofocus, which could be better in some specific focus scenarios |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The G04s has a larger battery which should translate to longer battery life, though real world results also depends on the chipset and display efficiency |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 15W fast charging | The S21 charges faster, reducing time spent plugged into a power source. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | None listed | The S21 offers additional charging features, providing added convenience in various scenarios. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness leads to a far better viewing experience.
- Much Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers significantly better speed, multitasking, and gaming capabilities.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes telephoto and ultrawide lenses and vastly improved video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Offers convenient charging options for added flexibility and fast charging.
- Better Build Quality: Uses premium materials like Gorilla Glass Victus and an aluminum frame.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi standard and Bluetooth with more features.
- Better Audio Experience: Includes stereo speakers and noise cancelling microphones, improving overall sound quality and call quality
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 14 out of the box and will have longer software support
- More affordable: It will be significantly cheaper.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G trades battery size for a higher performing processor and a superior display.
- The Motorola Moto G04s trades performance, display and camera quality for better battery life and a more affordable price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need high performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value camera versatility and high-quality photos and videos, such as mobile content creators.
- Media Consumers: Those who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and browsing content.
- Users wanting premium build quality: Those that want an aluminum frame, a premium feel and superior screen protection.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with smooth graphics and fast loading times.
- Creating high-quality video content for social media and YouTube.
- Watching movies and streaming shows with vibrant colors and clear details.
- Multitasking between various apps without lag or slowdowns.
Motorola Moto G04s Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a more affordable smartphone that covers basic needs.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need a long-lasting battery for extended daily use.
- Light Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday communication (calls, texts, emails).
- Basic social media and web browsing.
- Watching occasional videos.
- Basic app usage.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to consider when choosing between these phones:
- How important is display quality and performance to you?
- If display and performance are critical, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the clear choice.
- If these factors are less important than price and battery life, the Motorola Moto G04s is more suitable.
- What are your primary use cases for your smartphone?
- If you're a heavy user who games or creates video content, the S21 excels.
- If you are a light user who focuses on browsing the web and battery life is important, the G04s is better.
- What is your budget?
- If cost is a major concern, the G04s is the more economical choice.
- If you are willing to pay more for better performance, camera and display, the S21 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For content creators and gamers: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the obvious choice due to its advanced camera features and significantly more powerful processor, as well as superior screen quality.
- For casual users needing long battery: The Motorola Moto G04s will likely satisfy this, providing basic smartphone functionality and long battery life at a much lower price point.
- For those who want the best display quality: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G features an AMOLED display with superior resolution, brightness, and color reproduction, creating a much more enjoyable viewing experience.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While it is an older phone, the performance difference and screen quality are massive. The 120hz AMOLED, the flagship processor and the versatile camera system more than makes up for the slightly smaller battery and older age. While the Motorola will suit some users that prioritize battery life and a more affordable price, I value the much better experience that the S21 offers.
