1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 163 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm | Realme 12+ is larger and may feel less comfortable in hand for some users, S21 is more compact |
| Weight | 169g | 190g | S21 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for long-term holding and pocketability |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.67" | Realme 12+ offers more screen real estate for media consumption, gaming and multitasking |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same sharpness level |
| PPI | 421 | 395 | S21 has slightly sharper display, may be noticeable for text and fine details, though marginal |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | Realme 12+ screen will be much more visible in direct sunlight, vastly superior outdoor visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | S21 offers slightly faster performance, especially in intensive tasks; both are adequate for daily tasks |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 601,000 | S21 has noticeably higher benchmark performance, may translate to smoother app usage and better gaming experience |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G68 MC4 | S21's GPU will offer superior graphics performance for gaming and demanding graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12+ likely offers significantly longer battery life, less need to charge during the day |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | Realme 12+ charges much faster, less time spent waiting for the phone to charge |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | Non-removable | S21 offers the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/2" | Realme 12+ has higher resolution, while S21 has a larger sensor size, details and low-light capability differs |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | N/A | S21 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom capability. |
| Ultrawide | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | N/A | S21 offers an ultrawide lens, whereas Realme 12+ offers it separately |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Realme 12+ has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing wider scenes |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme 12+ has a dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up shots |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 16MP, f/2.45 | Realme 12+ has higher resolution, S21 has a slightly wider aperture |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 can record higher resolution video, potentially better video quality |
| DxOMark Mobile | 111 | N/A | S21 has a tested and validated camera performance |
| DxOMark Selfie | 132 | N/A | S21 has a tested and validated selfie camera performance |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 14 (up to 16) | Realme 12+ ships with a newer OS out of the box and will receive updates longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Realme 12+ has a newer Bluetooth version with better energy efficiency and connectivity speed. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | S21 offers more advanced GPS capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 128/256/512GB | Realme 12+ offers more storage options; S21 offers 128 GB or 256 GB, while 12+ offers 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB variant |
| RAM | 8GB | 8/12GB | Realme 12+ may have better multi-tasking capabilities depending on the configuration. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD card support, so you are limited by the internal storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Realme 12+ offers a Hi-Res Audio and more microphones for better audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both provide basic biometric security via fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 is built with better screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Barometer | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | S21 offers a barometer for more advanced environmental readings. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and Mali-G78 MP14 GPU provide significantly better benchmark performance and graphics capabilities, resulting in smoother app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Advanced Camera Features: Includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a dedicated ultrawide lens, and offers 8K video recording capabilities, as well as tested DxOMark scores.
- Wireless Charging: Features both wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, offering more convenient charging options.
- Compact Design: Smaller and lighter, making it easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior screen protection, reducing the risk of scratches and cracks.
- Advanced Sensors: Includes a barometer, Hall, and Geomagnetic sensor.
Realme 12+ Advantages:
- Significantly Longer Battery Life: Larger 5000mAh battery offers potentially much better battery endurance throughout the day.
- Much Faster Charging: 67W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Higher Display Brightness: 2000 nits peak brightness results in vastly improved outdoor visibility in sunlight.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14 and is likely to receive more software updates.
- More Storage Options: Offers a 512GB variant along with the 128/256GB variants.
- More RAM: Offers a 12GB variant along with the 8GB variant, leading to better multitasking performance
- Better Audio Features: Includes Hi-Res Audio and 2 microphones for superior sound capture and playback
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro Lens: Unlike Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, Realme 12+ has separate lenses for these features.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 12+: Trades performance and camera versatility (optical zoom, 8k video) for longer battery life, faster charging, higher screen brightness, and the convenience of a newer operating system, and separate wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Trades battery life and charging speed for a more powerful chipset, better camera features (telephoto lens and 8K video), and a more compact form factor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who need top-tier performance for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking will benefit from the Exynos 2100 and its superior GPU.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize camera versatility, optical zoom capabilities, 8K video recording, and advanced features like RAW capture and night mode.
- Users with a Preference for Compact Devices: Users who prefer a more pocketable and easy-to-handle device.
- Users Who Prefer Wireless Charging: Those who want the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
Use Cases for S21:
- High-end mobile gaming with smooth frame rates.
- Professional-grade video recording and photography.
- Demanding tasks like video editing and rendering.
- Daily use for users who want a smaller and easier to handle phone.
Realme 12+ Ideal Users:
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Individuals who need their phone to last all day without needing to charge frequently.
- Outdoor Users: Those who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight and need excellent screen visibility.
- Users Who Value Fast Charging: Those who want the convenience of quickly topping up their battery.
- Media Consumers: Users who value a large screen for media consumption
- Users on a Budget Those looking for good value for their money.
- Users who Prefer Up-to-Date Software: Those looking for a phone that ships with the latest version of Android
Use Cases for Realme 12+:
- All-day use without battery anxiety.
- Navigation and media consumption in bright outdoor environments.
- Quickly charging during short breaks.
- Enjoying media on a large, vibrant screen.
- Capturing wide angle and close up shots
- Users who prioritize updated features from newer software
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is more important: performance or battery life? The S21 prioritizes performance, while the Realme 12+ prioritizes battery.
- How often will you be using your phone outdoors? Realme 12+ provides superior outdoor visibility.
- Do you need a versatile camera or a long-lasting battery? The S21 has better camera features, while the Realme 12+ has superior battery life.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers and Power Users: If you play demanding games and need top-tier performance, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better choice.
- For Outdoor Enthusiasts and All-Day Users: If you frequently use your phone outdoors and need excellent battery life, the Realme 12+ is the preferred option.
- For Media Consumers: If you value a large screen and prefer a newer version of Android, the Realme 12+ is the preferred option.
- For Photography and Video: If you want more versatile camera features, such as telephoto lens, RAW, 8k video the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally lean towards the Realme 12+. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a better processor and camera system on paper, I value the larger screen, greatly enhanced battery life and fast charging that the Realme 12+ provides. My daily use consists primarily of media consumption, browsing and work, where the Realme 12+ would excel. While gaming performance might be slightly inferior, the benefits for me personally would outweigh the trade-offs. Furthermore, the up-to-date version of Android on the Realme 12+ and enhanced audio capabilities are valuable bonuses. The 2000 nits display brightness for excellent visibility in the sun also makes it the superior choice in terms of practicality for me.
