1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-08-03 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is significantly newer with updated technology. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm | S21 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is larger and may be better for media consumption. |
| Weight | 169g | 190g | S21 is lighter making it comfortable for longer use and carrying around; Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is heavier, which may feel more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a more immersive experience with a larger screen; S21 is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2412 | Both offer similar sharpness; minor difference is not noticeable in real use. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 395 PPI | S21 has slightly sharper text and images, but difference is minimal. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colours and deep blacks, typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both displays are bright enough for outdoor use, even in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a newer and slightly more efficient chip offering better performance in benchmarks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 805,721 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has better overall performance for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Both offer adequate graphics performance, but the specific impact depends on the workload. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers potentially much better battery life which translates to less frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 50W Fast Charging | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges significantly faster saving time on daily charging routines |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | S21 offers more charging options (wireless and reverse charging). |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Main) | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a higher resolution and larger sensor for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | Not available | S21 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities which Nothing Phone (2a) Plus lacks. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a higher resolution sensor for selfies. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers higher resolution, but S21 has a larger sensor for ultrawide shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 offers higher resolution video recording with 8K option. |
| DXOMARK (Mobile) | 111 | Not available | S21 has a tested camera score; no data for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus for comparison. |
| DXOMARK (Selfie) | 132 | Not available | S21 has a tested camera score; no data for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus for comparison. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 14, upgradable to 17 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a more up-to-date OS which leads to more features and security upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi MiMO | Both support Wi-Fi 6; Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers Wi-Fi MiMO for better connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has the newer Bluetooth version which offers better power efficiency and more advanced connectivity features. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), QZSS, Galileo, NavIC | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM setup. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256 GB | Both offer ample storage; S21 has a 128GB option and 256GB option, Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has only a 256GB option. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more RAM for better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone | Hi-Res Audio, 3 microphones | Both offer great audio capabilities with minor differences. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both feature a fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21 offers more sensors which may be useful for some specialized apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More compact & lighter design: Easier to handle one-handed and more pocketable.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities, which is better than digital zoom for image quality.
- Wireless charging: Convenient for those who have wireless chargers.
- Reverse wireless charging: Can be used to charge accessories like smartwatches.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers improved durability.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Additional sensors like barometer can enhance specific apps.
- 8K video recording: Supports higher video resolution for more professional use.
- Proven camera quality: Higher DxOMark scores for both main and selfie cameras indicate good image quality.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Advantages:
- Newer device: More up-to-date software and hardware.
- Larger display: Better for media consumption and gaming.
- Larger battery: Significantly better battery life, useful for heavy users.
- Faster charging: 50W fast charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
- Higher Resolution Main and Selfie Cameras: Better details for photos.
- More RAM: 12GB RAM is better for heavy multitasking and gaming.
- More efficient chipset: Better performance in benchmarks and real-world use.
- Newer Bluetooth version: Improved connectivity and battery efficiency for Bluetooth devices.
- Better GPS Support: QZSS, NavIC System for improved location accuracy.
- Latest Android OS: More features and security.
Trade-offs:
- S21: Older, smaller battery, smaller screen, older operating system
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Larger and heavier, lacks telephoto lens, wireless charging and reverse wireless charging
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prefer a compact and lightweight phone.
- Those who use their phone for photography and enjoy optical zoom.
- Users who value wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Users who already use Samsung ecosystems and like the Samsung UI
- Specific Use Cases:
- Users needing high-quality photos on the go, including zoomed images.
- Individuals needing a compact device for one-handed use.
- Users who have a lot of wireless chargers available and prefer the extra charging convenience.
- Users who use fitness apps that can make use of the barometer
- Price-to-value: Good value on the used market due to being an older phone.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize battery life and fast charging.
- Those who enjoy watching videos and playing games on their phone.
- Users looking for the latest software updates and performance.
- Users who prefer a smooth and clean Android OS
- Specific Use Cases:
- Users who need a phone for long days without frequent charging.
- Individuals who use their phone extensively for media consumption and gaming.
- Users who want the latest features and software enhancements.
- Users who want the best value-for-money and performance-to-price ratio.
- Price-to-value: Excellent value-for-money ratio
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What do you prioritize more: a compact design with more premium features or longer battery life with larger screen? Consider if you value portability and Samsung premium features or a large screen and more battery.
- How important is the camera system? Evaluate if optical zoom capabilities (S21) is more important to you than the higher resolution in Nothing Phone (2a).
- Do you value wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities? If you have wireless chargers and use them daily, the S21 might be more convenient, otherwise, the fast-charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) is more convenient.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a frequent traveler who needs a phone that can last all day and charges quickly. Recommendation: Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. Its larger battery and fast charging are more beneficial.
- Scenario 2: You are a hobbyist photographer who values zoom capabilities and prefer a compact phone. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. The telephoto lens and wireless charging would be useful.
- Scenario 3: You are a gamer who needs the smoothest performance, the latest software, and long-lasting battery. Recommendation: Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. The latest operating system, better performance and larger battery life is a great choice.
- Scenario 4: You use your phone a lot on the go, like listening to music, using GPS navigation, and prefer a lighter and more compact device. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. The lighter build and great audio capabilities and good GPS will be useful.
What I would choose and why
Based on my analysis, I would choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a newer device with a more modern chipset, updated Android OS, and better connectivity features. This ensures it will stay relevant for longer in terms of performance, security updates, and software features, providing a better long-term investment.
- Battery Life and Charging: For my usage, which involves a mix of productivity, media consumption, and some gaming, the larger 5000mAh battery with 50W fast charging is a significant advantage. Not worrying about battery life throughout the day is very important for my productivity.
- Performance: The better performance of the Mediatek chipset and the additional RAM offers better performance in more demanding tasks.
- Value for Money: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is excellent value for money considering the newer technologies and features.
While the Samsung S21 is a great phone, its age, smaller battery, and slower charging make it less appealing compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus for my personal needs. Though the lack of telephoto lens and wireless charging are a consideration, the benefits of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus outweigh those trade-offs.
