1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Moto G54 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-09-05 | Moto G54 is significantly newer, potentially with better software support and newer features |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 161.6 x 73.8 x 8 mm | Moto G54 is larger and slightly heavier, potentially less comfortable for small hands or pocket use |
| Weight | 169g | 177g | S21 5G is lighter, making it slightly more comfortable for prolonged use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.5" | Moto G54 has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming, but less pocketable |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both provide the same level of sharpness, adequate for most users |
| PPI | 421 | 405 | Both have very similar pixel density, making the difference negligible in everyday use |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 5G has superior display technology, with deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors for a more enjoyable viewing experience |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 5G is significantly brighter, resulting in much better outdoor visibility in sunlight. Moto G54 brightness is not specified, making it questionable for outdoor use |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7020 (6 nm) | S21 5G's chipset is more powerful, offering faster processing for demanding tasks and gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 455,400 | S21 5G provides significantly smoother performance, faster app loading, and better multitasking capabilities |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | IMG BXM-8-256 | S21 5G has a more powerful GPU, providing better gaming performance. The practical impact is significant for graphic-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G54 has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life between charges |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 15W fast charging | S21 5G charges faster, reducing downtime waiting for the phone to charge |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse Charge | Non-removable | S21 5G offers wireless charging convenience and reverse charging to power other devices, Moto G54 has no additional features |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Moto G54 has higher resolution for potentially more detailed shots, but quality also depends on sensor quality, which is not fully specified. S21 5G sensor is from Sony, known for quality |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/2.0 | None | S21 5G provides optical zoom for better quality when zooming in; Moto G54 lacks this feature |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Moto G54 has higher resolution for selfies, while the S21 has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better in low light |
| Macro Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Moto G54 allows for close-up photography with a dedicated macro camera, a feature missing from the S21 5G |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | S21 5G allows for wide-angle shots, a feature missing from the Moto G54 |
| Video | Up to 8K | Up to 1080p | S21 5G offers significantly higher video recording resolution for professional-quality videos, which might be crucial for content creators |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 111 | Not Listed | S21 5G performs better in photography based on the test results |
| DxOMark Score (Selfie) | 132 | Not Listed | S21 5G performs better in selfie photography based on the test results |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable) | Android 13 | Moto G54 has a newer version out of the box, likely with newer features and security updates, while the S21 5G will eventually catch up |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | S21 5G supports faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance on modern networks; Moto G54 has Wi-Fi MiMO |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Moto G54 has a newer version with potential efficiency and range improvements; Both phones share similar Bluetooth capabilities |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1+L5, QZSS, NavIC, BeiDou(B1) | Moto G54 supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Moto G54 has an eSIM for more flexibility in network management. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both have the same storage options; Choose based on storage needs; Neither has expandable storage |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4/8/12 GB | Moto G54 can have higher RAM, improving performance for heavy multitasking and demanding games |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Both have stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos; S21 has noise cancellation microphone and the Moto G54 has 2 microphones |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Moto G54 has a more advanced fingerprint sensor in terms of placement, potentially improving ergonomics and user experience |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 5G offers superior screen protection from scratches and drops |
| Sensors | Gyroscope, Barometer | None | S21 5G includes additional environmental sensors making it better for more advanced features like gaming or other sensor-related functions |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, significantly enhancing the viewing experience.
- Brighter Screen: 1300 nits brightness provides much better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight.
- More Powerful Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and Mali-G78 MP14 GPU offer significantly faster processing speeds and better gaming performance.
- Better Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens with optical zoom, along with a wide-angle lens, and the ability to shoot up to 8K video, offering significantly more flexibility.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: The 25W fast charging and the inclusion of wireless charging provides a convenient charging experience.
- Advanced Features: Includes features like reverse wireless charging, noise cancellation microphone, a gyroscope, and a barometer, offering more comprehensive functionality.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers more durable screen protection.
Motorola Moto G54 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched over 2 years later, the Moto G54 has a newer Android version out of the box.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery is likely to provide longer battery life between charges.
- Higher Resolution Main and Selfie Camera: The 50MP main camera and 16MP selfie camera offer more detail, but not necessarily better picture quality.
- Macro Camera: Allows for close-up photography with a dedicated macro lens.
- More RAM options: It can be configured with up to 12GB of ram, compared to the 8 GB of the S21 5G, potentially offering better multitasking capabilities.
- eSIM Support: Dual SIM + eSIM provides more flexibility in network management.
- More GPS Satellites Supported: Supports more GPS satellite systems potentially offering better location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 5G trades a larger battery and a newer version of Android out of the box for significantly better performance, a superior display, and a more versatile camera system.
- The Moto G54 trades some performance and display quality for a larger battery, a macro lens, and a newer OS at launch, which is potentially cheaper.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G does not have a macro camera, whilst the Motorola Moto G54 does not have a telephoto or wide angle camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Those who need fast performance for demanding apps and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with optical zoom and higher video recording resolution.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who value a high-quality display with vibrant colors and excellent brightness.
- Users in Bright Environments: People who frequently use their phones outdoors and need a bright, clear screen.
- Users that enjoy wireless charging: The Galaxy S21 5G features wireless charging, a handy feature for users who prefer it.
Specific Use Cases for Galaxy S21 5G:
- Gaming: High performance chipset and powerful GPU mean this phone will perform well for demanding games.
- Professional Photography & Videography: The versatile camera system and high video recording resolution, mean this is a good choice for more professional content creation.
- Outdoor Use: The bright screen and powerful camera make this phone well suited for outdoor adventures.
- Mobile Work: The Exynos processor means this phone is suitable for handling demanding business tasks.
Motorola Moto G54 is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a large screen and good battery life without spending a lot of money.
- Casual Photographers: Users who want a higher-resolution camera for sharing on social media.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: People who want to go a day or more without charging their phone.
- Users that need dual SIM + eSIM capability: The phone offers dual SIM capability for network flexibility.
Specific Use Cases for Moto G54:
- Media Consumption: The large screen is ideal for watching videos and movies.
- Casual Gaming: The phone is suitable for less demanding games and social media.
- Everyday Tasks: It's a good option for general use, such as browsing, calls, and texting, and the macro camera may be useful for some users.
- Travellers: Dual SIM + eSIM functionality provides better network flexibility for travel.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G likely offers better overall value for those who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera features.
- The Motorola Moto G54 is a more budget-friendly option for those primarily concerned with battery life and basic functionality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my main priority: performance and high-quality display or battery life and budget? (S21 5G excels in performance and display, Moto G54 in battery life and affordability.)
- How important are high-quality photos and videos? (S21 5G offers more features and higher resolution for both, especially 8K recording, better results from photos according to tests.)
- Do I need the absolute newest operating system out of the box, and more gps satellite support? (Moto G54 is newer, has newer Android version and more GPS options, but the S21 5G has newer WiFi, and will likely catch up through updates.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gamer/Content Creator: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Its superior performance, display quality and better camera are crucial.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Motorola Moto G54. Its longer battery life and lower price make it a practical choice for basic use.
- Scenario 3: Frequent Traveller: Choose the Motorola Moto G54. The eSIM functionality and more GPS systems could be useful for travel. However, the lack of brightness could make it difficult to use outside.
My Choice and Why:
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
While the Motorola Moto G54 offers a newer operating system, larger battery, macro camera, and eSIM support, the S21 5G has several features that are more important for my usage. My main priorities are performance, display quality, and camera capabilities and the Galaxy S21 5G excells in all of these areas.
The superior AMOLED display of the S21 5G, with its vibrant colors and high brightness, is essential for a good viewing experience. The much better performance of the Exynos 2100 chipset, and the significantly better GPU, will make a noticeable difference in everyday tasks and gaming.
The Galaxy S21 5G's camera system, featuring a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a wide angle lens and the ability to record 8K video, is also crucial for someone that likes to take photos and videos. The higher brightness of 1300 nits, means the phone will be useable outside in direct sunlight, and the wireless charging will mean less plugging and unplugging. The included gyroscope and barometer are an added bonus.
Although the Moto G54 has a larger battery and is newer out of the box, the S21 5G's advantages in display, performance, and camera outweigh these benefits for my particular use case. Additionally, the S21 5G has superior protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, while the Moto G54's screen protection is unknown.
