Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Realme GT Master
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Realme GT Master | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2021-07-30 | Realme GT Master is a newer device by about 6 months, potentially with more modern features. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has known dimensions, but dimensions for the Realme GT Master are unavailable. |
| Weight | 169g | 180g | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is slightly lighter, which may feel more comfortable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.43" | Realme GT Master has a slightly larger screen, which is beneficial for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both have the same resolution, meaning similar sharpness for text and images. |
| PPI | 421 | 409 | Both have very similar pixel density, so the displays will appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use AMOLED for vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have smooth 120Hz refresh rates for fluid animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1000 nits | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is significantly brighter, providing better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G (6 nm) | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G's chipset offers superior performance in benchmarks, generally translating to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 613,348 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a higher benchmark score, indicating better overall speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 642L | Different GPUs, indicating different performance characteristics in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming, with S21 having a better one. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4300mAh | Realme GT Master has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 65W | Realme GT Master charges much faster, reducing downtime and waiting for a full charge. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless Charging | No Wireless Charging | Samsung S21 offers wireless charging and reverse charging, providing more versatility. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 64MP | Realme GT Master has a much higher resolution sensor. But the S21 sensor has bigger pixel size. |
| Main Camera Sensor | 1/1.76" | 1/2" | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has larger sensor size, generally resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom and enhanced portrait shots. |
| Selfie Res | 10MP | 32MP | Realme GT Master has a significantly higher resolution front-facing camera for detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP | Realme GT Master has a dedicated ultrawide lens for landscape photography. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP | Realme GT Master has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a dedicated wide-angle macro lens for close-up and wide-angle photography. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G supports 8K video recording and 4K at 60fps for higher quality videos, while Realme GT Master is limited to 4k at 30fps. |
| DxOMark Main Cam | 111 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a tested main camera performance of 111 in DxOMark, while Realme GT Master has not been tested, making comparison hard. |
| DxOMark Selfie Cam | 132 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a tested selfie camera performance of 132 in DxOMark, while Realme GT Master has not been tested, making comparison hard. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 11 (Upgradable to 13) | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a longer software update support, allowing the user to benefit from newer features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support Wi-Fi 6 for faster wireless speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Realme GT Master has newer Bluetooth 5.2 for potentially more efficient and stable connections. |
| GPS | Multi-band | Multi-band | Both have accurate GPS capabilities, with similar support for satellite systems for navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both offer dual SIM support, allowing usage of two numbers on a single device. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer similar storage options, so you can choose the one that fits your needs. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6/8 GB | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has fixed 8 GB of RAM, while Realme GT Master offer 6 or 8GB, the 8GB versions will have similar performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so you have to rely on their internal storage capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo | Hi-Res Audio, 2 mics | Samsung S21 offers Dolby Atmos for better audio, while Realme offers Hi-Res audio for high-fidelity audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both phones have a fingerprint sensor, securing your device with biometric authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a superior display protection than the Realme GT Master. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive Suite | Less comprehensive Suite | Samsung S21 has more sensors, including Barometer, Hall and Compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides better overall performance than the Snapdragon 778G, making it better for gaming and heavy tasks.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits brightness is significantly better for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- More Versatile Cameras: Includes a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, a wide angle + macro lens and generally better video recording capabilities (8K, 4K@60fps).
- Wireless Charging: Supports both wireless and reverse wireless charging, adding more convenience.
- Longer Software Support: Offers more Android software updates, keeping the phone up-to-date for a longer time.
- Superior Display Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers better scratch and shatter resistance.
- Better Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers.
Realme GT Master Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging is significantly faster than the S21's 25W.
- Larger Battery: A slightly larger battery capacity for potentially longer battery life.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP front-facing camera for more detailed selfies.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: More photography options with dedicated ultrawide and macro lenses.
- Newer Bluetooth: Uses Bluetooth 5.2 for potentially more efficient and stable connections.
- More GPS support: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung S21 offers a performance and camera advantage, but lacks a macro lens and faster charging.
- The Realme GT Master offers a slightly larger battery, fast charging, and a higher resolution front-facing camera, but has a less powerful processor and inferior main camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Power Users: Those who need a high-performance phone for gaming and resource-intensive tasks.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value zoom capabilities, video recording, and image quality.
- Outdoor Users: Those who need a bright screen to view their phone under bright sunlight.
- Users valuing software updates: User who want software updates for an extended period.
- Those who value build quality: Users who prefer a premium build and better screen protection.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming: The Exynos 2100 and Mali-G78 MP14 provide better performance for high-end mobile gaming.
- Travel photography: Telephoto and wide-angle lenses offer versatile shooting options.
- Outdoor work: The brighter display ensures visibility under all conditions.
Ideal Users for Realme GT Master:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a balance of features and performance at a lower price point.
- Social Media Users: Those who prioritize selfie quality and fast charging to stay connected on the go.
- Everyday Users: Users that need good general performance for basic tasks and media consumption.
- Users who need a long battery life: Users that need to charge their phone only every one or two days.
Specific Use Cases:
- Social media: The high-resolution front camera for selfies and videos.
- Quick charging: Ideal for people with limited charging opportunities throughout the day.
- General use: Good performance for everyday tasks, web browsing, and media playback.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance or Battery? Do you prioritize raw speed and graphics or battery life and charging speed?
- Camera versatility or resolution? Do you prefer optical zoom and video capabilities over high-resolution selfies and macro capabilities?
- Do you value software support? Do you intend to keep the phone for 3-4 years?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance & Photography: If you need the best possible performance for gaming, professional photo and video, choose Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
- Scenario 2: Fast Charging & Budget: If your priority is fast charging, a larger battery, and want to save some money, choose Realme GT Master.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance and Features: If you want a balance, and have a slightly bigger budget, choose Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
My Choice
If I were to choose between the two phones, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Here's why:
- Overall Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides a noticeable edge in day to day usage. This is important for smoother operation, especially in the long term.
- Camera Versatility: While the Realme GT Master has a higher resolution selfie and macro lens, the S21's telephoto lens, main sensor size, and superior video recording capabilities make it a more versatile camera phone, offering better performance in various conditions.
- Display Quality: The brighter display, with its superior Gorilla Glass Victus protection, offers a more enjoyable viewing experience, particularly in outdoor settings.
- Software Updates: Longer software updates would enable me to get access to more features and more security improvements in the long run.
- Ecosystem: The Samsung ecosystem is more mature, and usually offers integration with other products like laptops.
While the faster charging of the Realme GT Master is definitely a big plus, I'd sacrifice this for the better overall performance, cameras, display and software updates the S21 offers. The practical benefits of superior processing and a more versatile camera system are more important to me.
