Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Nokia C21 Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Nokia C21 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 164.8 × 75.9 × 8.6 mm | S21 is more compact, easier to handle in one hand. C21 Plus is larger, may be less pocket-friendly. |
| Weight | 169g | 178g | S21 is lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.52" | C21 Plus has a larger screen for more immersive media consumption, S21 more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | S21 has a much sharper display with more detail, less pixelated text/images. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 269 PPI | S21 displays sharper text, images and fine details, better for reading and viewing high-res content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors than the LCD in the C21 Plus. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 has smoother scrolling, animations and gaming. C21 is standard smoothness. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 is much more readable under direct sunlight; Nokia C21 Plus brightness is not known and therefore its visibility under sunlight is unknown, but given it does not specify its brightness, this implies that it's brightness is much lower than the Samsung S21 |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | S21's chip is much faster, handles demanding apps and games smoothly. C21 is better for basic tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 109,200 | S21 will load apps faster, handle heavy multitasking more smoothly, and provide better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | IMG8322 | S21 has significantly better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and demanding graphic intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4000mAh | Both should have similar battery life under similar usage, depends on the overall phone consumption. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 10W fast charging | S21 charges much faster, useful for quick top-ups. |
| Features | Wireless, reverse charging | Non-removable | S21 offers convenience with wireless and reverse charging for other devices, while C21 is basic. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 13MP | S21 has better main sensor with higher specifications and a higher quality sensor. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" Samsung S5KGW2 | Not Available | S21 offers enhanced zoom and portrait capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" Sony IMX374 | 5MP, f/2.2 | S21 takes higher resolution selfies with more detail. |
| Depth Camera | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | C21 has a depth sensor for portrait mode, but S21 handles depth better with its AI processing and sensors. |
| Wide/Macro Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX563 | Not Available | S21 can capture wider scenes and close-up macro shots. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps | S21 has dramatically superior video capabilities, offering higher resolution and frame rates for higher video quality |
| DXOMARK - Mobile | main_score=111, photo_score=118, video_score=90 | Not available | S21 scores significantly higher in overall mobile camera performance. |
| DXOMARK - Selfie | main_score=132, photo_score=125, video_score=145 | Not available | S21 scores significantly higher in overall selfie camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Many (OIS, RAW, Night mode, etc) | Basic (HDR, Panorama, Flash) | S21 has far more features to enhance photography results. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 11 | S21 has longer software support and more features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), 802.11ac, etc. | 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n | S21 has faster and more stable Wi-Fi for faster download/upload and streaming. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 4.2 | S21 has a newer Bluetooth version for better connection stability, lower latency, more features. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), etc | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | S21 provides more accurate location tracking due to additional satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Both phones support dual sim. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 32GB or 64GB | S21 has more storage for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 8GB | 2GB or 4GB | S21 offers smoother multitasking due to larger RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic | S21 has superior audio quality with immersive audio and better speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar fingerprint authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 has better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Full Suite | Basic Set | S21 has far more sensors, enabling advanced features such as gaming, augmented reality and ambient tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 120Hz, higher resolution, and brightness for excellent viewing experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: Flagship-level chipset for smooth operation, gaming, and demanding applications.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile multi-lens system with 8K video and high-quality images.
- Faster Charging & Wireless: Faster wired charging and convenient wireless charging and reverse charging.
- Better Audio: Enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for better speeds and features.
- Future-Proof Software: Longer software updates and support.
- Higher DXOMark score: Superior camera score for photos and videos
Practical Implications: The S21 is a much better option for media consumption, gaming, photography, and overall performance, making it a much more capable and enjoyable daily driver.
Nokia C21 Plus Advantages:
- Larger Screen: Slightly larger screen size for slightly more immersive experience.
- Lower Price: Generally more budget-friendly for basic users.
Practical Implications: The C21 Plus is suited for users needing a basic phone for standard tasks like calls and texts without high demands on display or performance. It prioritizes budget over features.
Trade-offs:
- S21: Higher price point, smaller screen, but delivers significantly superior performance, features and quality.
- C21 Plus: Compromises significantly in display quality, performance, and camera for a lower price, and has a larger device size.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Power User: Demands high performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive apps.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: Values a high-quality display, excellent audio, and superior camera for content consumption and creation.
- Tech Savvy: Appreciates advanced features, fast charging, and wireless charging.
- Photographer/Videographer: Needs a versatile camera with quality output and advanced features.
Specific Use Cases for S21 5G:
- Gaming with smooth graphics and fast loading times.
- High-resolution video recording and playback.
- Professional-grade photography with multiple lenses and advanced features.
- Seamless multitasking between demanding applications.
- Immersive multimedia experiences with Dolby Atmos audio.
Nokia C21 Plus Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyer: Prioritizes affordability over high-end features.
- Basic User: Needs a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing.
- First-Time Smartphone User: Wants a simple and easy-to-use device.
Specific Use Cases for C21 Plus:
- Basic web browsing and social media use.
- Making and receiving calls and texts.
- Casual photography without high expectations.
- Using essential apps without the need for high performance.
- Extended battery usage, due to less power-hungry components.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- S21: High initial cost but offers flagship-level performance and features making the high price justifiable for users who demand such features.
- C21 Plus: Offers basic features at a lower price, suitable for budget-conscious users, but the value per price is questionable given how much lower performing the C21 plus is than most modern smartphones.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? (This will filter your phone options from the beginning)
- How important is performance and speed? (If you're a heavy user, you will need a better chipset and more RAM).
- How important is a high-quality display and camera? (If you value good photo and video quality, then you need to value a better camera sensor with advanced features).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: "I need a basic phone for calls and texts, and budget is a primary concern." - Recommendation: Nokia C21 Plus will be sufficient, as its core functionalities are designed for basic tasks with a more budget-conscious design, even though it lacks in performance and overall usability.
Scenario 2: "I want a phone for gaming, watching videos, and taking good photos." - Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G will be a much better option, it will enhance the usability of the phone by an extreme margin due to its better display, performance and camera systems.
Scenario 3: "I need a daily driver that can handle multiple tasks smoothly and will last for a long time." - Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the clear option here, due to its superior performance, more features and better quality, meaning it will last longer without needing to be replaced, even if that comes at a higher upfront cost.
What I Would Choose and Why:
Given the comprehensive comparison, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Reasoning:
While the Nokia C21 Plus has the advantage of being more affordable and having a slightly larger screen, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers an overwhelmingly superior user experience in almost every other aspect that matters to me, including:
- Performance: The Exynos 2100 chip provides significantly faster and smoother performance, which is crucial for a responsive and enjoyable experience.
- Display Quality: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and higher resolution makes a significant difference in clarity, vibrancy, and smoothness, essential for media consumption and daily use.
- Camera Quality: The S21's advanced camera system is a huge upgrade for photography and videography, with features like 8K recording, optical zoom, and OIS.
- Software: Longer support and more features on the S21 makes it more future proof.
- Features: The S21's additional features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and Dolby Atmos audio add a significant level of convenience and enjoyment that is not found on the C21 plus.
While the initial cost is higher, the improved user experience, better features, faster charging and the better screen protection makes the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G a much better option overall, and therefore worth the investment for a daily driver. The C21 Plus's compromises in performance and display make it a less appealing option for my daily usage. I'd rather pay more for a significantly better device, particularly given how much time is spent using a smartphone daily.
