Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Oppo A77
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Oppo A77 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 163.8 × 75.1 × 8 mm | S21 5G is more compact and pocketable; A77 is larger and may be less comfortable for small hands. |
| Weight | 169g | 190g | S21 5G feels lighter and more comfortable for extended use. A77 is heavier, which might cause fatigue during long periods of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.56" | A77 offers more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming; S21 5G is more pocket friendly and can be easier to handle with one hand. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1612 | S21 5G has a much sharper display, with crisper text and images, making it better for detailed viewing. The A77's display will look less sharp. |
| PPI | 421 | 269 | S21 5G's higher pixel density results in significantly clearer and more detailed images, while A77's display will appear less sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 5G offers richer colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, and superior power efficiency for dark themes. The A77's LCD panel won't have the same visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 5G has smoother animations and scrolling, resulting in a more responsive feel. A77 will feel less smooth compared to the S21 5G. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 5G offers far superior visibility in bright sunlight; The A77’s brightness is not specified and likely much lower. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | S21 5G offers significantly faster processing speed, better app performance, and more efficient multitasking. A77's chipset will feel noticeably slower. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 42,000 | S21 5G delivers a much smoother and more responsive user experience, especially when gaming or running demanding apps. A77 would feel sluggish in comparison. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MC2 | S21 5G delivers far better graphics performance, especially beneficial for gaming and graphically intensive apps. A77 has significantly weaker graphics capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 3200mAh | S21 5G is likely to offer significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. A77 might require mid-day charging depending on usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | No Fast Charging Specified | S21 5G charges much faster, getting you back to using your phone quickly. The A77 will likely take longer to charge. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W | Non-removable | S21 5G provides convenient wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices wirelessly, a significant benefit for flexibility. A77 lacks these features. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80µm | 13MP f/2.2, µm | S21 5G likely captures better low-light shots with a wider aperture; S21 5G has sensor size information and pixel size, while A77 does not specify. |
| Telephoto | 64MP f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80µm | Not present | S21 5G provides optical zoom capabilities, offering better zoom detail compared to the A77's digital zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 16MP f/2.0, µm | A77 offers a higher resolution selfie camera with a wider aperture, potentially better for low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | Not present | S21 5G provides versatile shooting options with ultra-wide shots and macro detail. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21 5G offers professional grade video recording capabilities, including 8K, 4K, and slow motion. A77 has more basic recording. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | Not Tested | S21 5G has objectively better camera performance than A77. A77 has no available camera benchmark data. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Optical zoom, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Digital stabilization | S21 5G has more advanced camera features, providing better flexibility and quality, particularly in low-light conditions. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Max 15 | Android 12, Max 14 | A77 comes with a newer OS out of the box but with a lower max version. S21 5G will receive more updates overall. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11a/b/g/n | S21 5G offers faster speeds and better performance on modern WiFi networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 4.1 | S21 5G has a newer Bluetooth for better connection stability and more features. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | S21 5G supports more satellite systems, improving location accuracy, especially in urban environments. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 32GB/64GB | S21 5G has significantly more built-in storage, allowing users to store more media and apps. |
| RAM | 8GB | 3GB/4GB | S21 5G has more RAM for smoother multitasking and better overall performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, requiring users to manage internal space carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | S21 5G offers a much better audio experience with better audio quality, separation and spatial sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | A77 offers a more convenient side mounted fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 5G is more scratch resistant and durable, offering better long term protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | basic sensors | S21 5G offers better positional accuracy and better sensor support. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel, higher resolution, higher pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness, resulting in a dramatically better viewing experience, particularly outdoors.
- Much Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers vastly better processing power and graphics performance. Ideal for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Better Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a wide-angle lens, more advanced video capabilities (8K recording), optical image stabilization (OIS), and a higher DXOMark score. It's a much more versatile camera system.
- Better Battery Features: Supports wireless charging (15W), reverse wireless charging (4.5W) and much faster 25W wired charging.
- Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.0, and more GPS satellite support leading to faster connections, more reliable wireless use and better location accuracy.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus is more scratch resistant and durable.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers
- More RAM/Storage: Offers 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage compared to A77’s 3-4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB storage.
Oppo A77 Advantages:
- Larger Display: The slightly larger screen is better for content consumption and can be better for some games but at the expense of resolution and quality.
- Potentially Better Selfie Camera: The 16MP selfie camera with f/2.0 might perform slightly better in low light due to wider aperture. However, sensor performance data is missing, so the actual performance is unknown.
- Newer OS out of the Box: Comes with Android 12, though max update version is lower.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Can be more ergonomic for some users.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 5G: Smaller screen, potential higher price.
- Oppo A77: Significant compromises in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, battery features, audio and general speed of the phone.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want a premium smartphone experience with fast performance, a high-quality display, and versatile camera system.
- Mobile Gamers: The powerful chipset and 120Hz display make it ideal for a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize camera quality and features will appreciate the versatile triple-camera system and 8K video recording capabilities.
- Power Users: Users who need fast multitasking, and efficient performance for work and productivity.
Use Cases for S21 5G:
- Playing graphically intense games.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Consuming high-quality multimedia content.
- Working on-the-go with demanding applications.
- Capturing high resolution, detailed photos and videos.
Oppo A77 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Users who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance.
- Casual Users: Users who use their phone for basic tasks such as calling, texting, and light browsing.
- Users Who Prioritize Larger Screen: The 6.56 inch screen might be more suitable for users who like a larger viewing area, but it lacks quality and sharpness.
Use Cases for A77:
- Basic daily tasks and communication.
- Casual media consumption.
- General navigation and location.
- Users that prioritize size over quality.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21 5G offers a much higher value if considering the performance, display, camera, and feature set it packs.
- The A77 is a budget-friendly option but does not deliver a high-quality mobile experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is a primary concern, A77 is the budget option.
- How important is performance? For smooth performance and gaming, S21 5G is the clear winner.
- How important is display quality and camera performance? If these are priorities, S21 5G is significantly superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming and Multimedia: If you game or watch lots of videos, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
- Scenario 2: Casual Use and Budget: If you need a basic phone for calls, texts, and basic browsing, consider the Oppo A77, but be aware of the quality trade-offs.
- Scenario 3: Photography/Videography: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the clear choice for a significantly better camera experience.
- Scenario 4: All-Round Premium Experience: If you value a premium mobile experience with a high quality screen, performance, camera and other features, choose the S21 5G.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would definitely choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Oppo A77 is a more budget-friendly option, the compromises made in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and other features are too significant.
The S21 5G, on the other hand, offers a premium experience with a far superior display, blazing-fast performance, a versatile camera system, much better audio and battery features, and a more modern suite of connectivity features. The difference in user experience would be day and night. While the S21 5G might be more expensive, the value it provides in terms of overall mobile experience makes it a much more worthwhile investment. The superior build quality, along with more scratch resistance also makes it a better investment for long-term use.
