1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm | The Nothing Phone (2) is noticeably larger, which can impact one-handed use and pocketability. The S21 is more compact and comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 169g | 201.2g | The S21 is significantly lighter, making it easier to hold for extended periods and less noticeable in pockets. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection | Unknown screen protection | The S21's screen has known superior scratch and damage resistance, whereas the screen protection for the Nothing Phone (2) is unknown, making the S21 more durable. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.7" | The Nothing Phone (2) offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. The S21 is better for users preferring a compact design. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer sharp visuals; the difference is negligible. |
| PPI | 421 | 394 | The S21 has a slightly sharper display, although most users won't perceive a difference in everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use excellent display technology with vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1600 nits | The Nothing Phone (2) will be much easier to see outdoors in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Nothing Phone (2)'s chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,135,786 | The Nothing Phone (2) demonstrates superior benchmark performance, indicating a smoother and more responsive experience for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | The Adreno 730 in the Nothing Phone (2) provides a significant performance advantage, especially for graphically intensive applications like gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Sony IMX890 | The Nothing Phone (2) has higher resolution for capturing more detail. The S21 may perform better in low light due to wider aperture. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", Samsung Bright S5KGW2 | N/A | The S21 offers dedicated telephoto zoom capabilities, while the Nothing Phone (2) lacks this feature, impacting zoom quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374 | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615 | The Nothing Phone (2) captures significantly more detailed selfies with higher resolution. The S21 has wider aperture for better low-light selfies, but lower resolution. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | The Nothing Phone (2) captures far more detail with a higher resolution sensor while the S21 has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The S21 supports higher resolution 8K video recording for professional use, while the Nothing Phone (2) provides OIS for smoother 4k videos. |
| DxoMark Mobile | 111 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a tested score of 111 on DxoMark Mobile |
| DxoMark Selfie | 132 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a tested score of 132 on DxoMark Selfie |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4700mAh | The Nothing Phone (2) provides longer battery life, requiring less frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W | 45W | The Nothing Phone (2) charges considerably faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless 15W, Reverse Wireless 4.5W | Wireless 15W, Reverse Wireless 5W | Both offer wireless and reverse wireless charging. The Nothing Phone (2) has slightly faster reverse wireless. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11, Max 15 | Android 13, Max 16 | The Nothing Phone (2) has a more up-to-date OS and longer support lifecycle for future updates. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12 GB | The Nothing Phone (2) offers a 12GB option providing better performance for heavy users. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | The Nothing Phone (2) provides more storage options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expanded storage via SD card. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 | The Nothing Phone (2) has a newer version with better efficiency, range, and features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | The Nothing Phone (2) supports more satellite systems, improving location accuracy in diverse environments. |
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6, MiMO | Nothing Phone (2) includes Wi-Fi MIMO for potentially better performance on compatible networks |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages
- More Compact and Lightweight: Easier to handle and more pocketable, better for users who prefer a smaller phone.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior protection against scratches and drops.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom, providing better quality zoomed-in photos.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers very high resolution video recording for professional use cases.
- Tested Camera performance: The camera has been tested by DxoMark.
Practical Implications:
- The S21 is ideal for users who value portability, durability, and optical zoom capabilities.
Nothing Phone (2) Advantages
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip delivers far superior speed and responsiveness.
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Longer Battery Life and Faster Charging: Provides all-day battery and quicker charging.
- Higher Resolution Cameras (Main & Selfie): Captures more detailed photos, resulting in sharper images and videos.
- Newer OS and Longer Support: Provides a more up-to-date software experience and a longer life cycle.
- More internal storage: Up to 512 GB, offering more space for files.
- Modern Bluetooth: Faster and more efficient connectivity and supports LDAC for higher-quality audio.
Practical Implications:
- The Nothing Phone (2) excels in performance, battery life, and overall user experience for demanding users.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 sacrifices performance and screen size for compactness and telephoto lens.
- The Nothing Phone (2) is larger and heavier, making it less comfortable for some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User
- Users who prefer a compact and lightweight phone for one-handed use.
- Those who need a phone that can easily fit in a pocket.
- Users who value durability and the additional telephoto lens.
- Users who want 8K video capability
- Users who are more interested in a balance of features and performance without necessarily the highest performance.
Use Cases:
- Everyday use and quick tasks.
- Users needing a very pocketable phone.
- Users who value optical zoom for travel and family photos.
- Users who are looking to use their phone to shoot professional looking video.
Nothing Phone (2) Ideal User
- Users who prioritize performance and speed for gaming or multitasking.
- Those who prefer a large, immersive display for media consumption.
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who want higher resolution photos and videos.
- Users who want the latest features and software support.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers and users who run demanding apps.
- Users who frequently watch videos or movies.
- Travelers who need their phone to last all day.
- Photo and video enthusiasts who prioritize higher resolution and quality.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Offers a balance of features and build quality at a potentially lower price point, depending on market availability.
- Nothing Phone (2): Presents a higher price for significantly better performance, a larger display, and an overall more modern experience. It may offer more long-term value due to better OS and feature updates.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions a buyer should consider:
- What's more important: performance or compactness? If performance is your top priority, the Nothing Phone (2) is the obvious choice. If you value a smaller, more pocketable device, the Galaxy S21 is better.
- Do you need a telephoto lens for optical zoom? If so, the S21 is the only option. Otherwise, the Nothing Phone (2) offers better cameras overall, but only digital zoom.
- How important is battery life and fast charging? The Nothing Phone (2) will get you through a full day more comfortably and recharge much faster.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gaming & Heavy Use: Choose the Nothing Phone (2) for its superior performance.
- Everyday Portability: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its compact size and durability.
- Photography Enthusiasts: If you require optical zoom go with the S21, otherwise the Nothing Phone (2) offers better results in main, ultrawide and selfie cameras.
- Media Consumption: The larger screen of the Nothing Phone (2) will be more enjoyable, along with its increased brightness.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Nothing Phone (2). While I appreciate the compactness and durability of the S21, the sheer performance difference is a significant factor. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset in the Nothing Phone (2) would provide a smoother, more responsive experience that is important to me as I use my phone frequently for gaming and video editing, and would prefer to not experience any bottlenecks. The larger screen, increased brightness, and longer battery life are also significant advantages that I would prefer over the compact size of the S21. While the Telephoto lens of the S21 is an appealing feature, I would gladly trade it for the superior standard and selfie cameras provided by the Nothing Phone (2).
Additionally, the modern software and longer support cycle from the Nothing Phone (2) ensures that my device will be better supported for longer. Therefore, the Nothing Phone (2) better suits my needs as a power-user who also wants to take high quality photos, and am willing to pay a premium for the features.
