Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Realme Note 50
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Realme Note 50 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 167.2 x 76.7 x 8 mm | The S21 5G is more compact and easier to handle with one hand. The Note 50 is larger, which may be better for media consumption but less convenient for portability. |
| Weight | 169g | 186g | The S21 5G is significantly lighter, enhancing comfort during prolonged use. The Note 50 is heavier which may feel more substantial in hand, but less comfortable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.74" | The Note 50 offers a larger screen, better for media viewing and multitasking. The S21 5G's smaller screen makes it more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | The S21 5G's higher resolution results in sharper text and images, a more detailed viewing experience and better overall visual clarity. |
| PPI | 421 | 260 | The S21 5G has a much sharper display due to higher pixel density, making it clearer with less visible pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The S21 5G's AMOLED screen has deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors and is more power efficient, especially with dark themes, offering a much richer viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The S21 5G's 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel faster and more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21 5G’s much higher brightness ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, making it far superior in outdoor conditions. The Realme Note 50 brightness is unknown, but this means it is likely to be far lower and may struggle in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | The S21 5G’s Exynos 2100 is significantly more powerful, leading to faster performance in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The Realme Note 50’s processor is designed for basic use and can struggle with heavy tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 248,000 | The S21 5G’s significantly higher benchmark score indicates superior performance, including faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The S21 5G’s superior GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks much better, providing smoother gaming and better video rendering. The Note 50's GPU is much more basic and not designed for intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor, 1.8µm pixels | 13MP, f/2.2 | The S21 5G's wider aperture and larger pixels usually provide better low-light performance and image quality, despite a slightly lower megapixel count. The Realme Note 50 has a slightly higher megapixel count, but this does not necessarily mean it is better overall. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 64MP, f/2.0 | None | The S21 5G has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom and portrait shots, whereas the Note 50 relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle/Macro Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | The S21 5G offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive shots and a macro lens for close-ups. The Note 50 lacks these capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | The S21 5G's higher resolution captures more detailed selfies. |
| Black & White Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Note 50 has a dedicated black and white camera while the S21 5G does not. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps | The S21 5G offers significantly higher video recording capabilities, with options for 8K and 4K recording, better stabilization and stereo sound. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | None | The S21 5G camera scores high in DxOMark tests, showing its superior image and video quality, whereas the Note 50 has not been tested. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Optical Zoom, RAW, Night Mode | Digital Zoom, Autofocus, PDAF | The S21 5G offers more advanced camera features, like optical image stabilization, and manual controls for creative photography. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The Note 50 has a larger battery which may mean it can last longer, though real-world performance depends on optimization. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | The S21 5G charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging | None | The S21 5G offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, adding convenience. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | Android 13 | The Realme Note 50 ships with a newer version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | The S21 5G has faster, more efficient Wi-Fi capabilities with Wi-Fi 6, resulting in better network speeds and reliability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE with extensive codec support | 5.0 LE with limited codec support | The S21 5G offers greater Bluetooth audio options, ensuring compatibility with a wider array of devices and higher fidelity audio. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) + Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | The S21 5G has more accurate GPS positioning using more satellite constellations. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Both phones have options up to 256GB, giving similar levels of storage capacity, however, the Note 50 also has a 64GB variant. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 3GB/4GB | The S21 5G has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | The S21 5G provides enhanced audio experience with richer spatial sound, and better quality with stereo speakers and noise-cancelling microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Note 50’s side-mounted fingerprint sensor is typically faster and more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The S21 5G has better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | The S21 5G has more sensors, such as a gyroscope and barometer, enhancing its capabilities in gaming and environmental applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, brightness, and refresh rate providing a significantly better visual experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and 8GB RAM deliver vastly superior processing power, ideal for demanding applications, gaming, and multitasking.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers a more versatile camera setup with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, better low-light performance, and advanced features such as OIS and 4K/8K video recording.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Options: Supports much faster wired charging and also includes wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Superior Audio: Features Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and noise-cancelling microphones, offering much better sound quality than the Note 50.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and a wider range of Bluetooth codecs, offering better network and audio performance.
- More Accurate GPS: Utilizes more satellite constellations for better location accuracy.
- Better Build Quality The S21 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection.
- More Sensors: The S21 5G has additional sensors to help with gaming and environmental apps.
Realme Note 50 Advantages:
- Larger Display: A slightly larger screen size, though with lower overall quality than the S21 5G.
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery may result in longer battery life.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Faster and more convenient than basic sensor on S21.
- Newer Android OS Out of the Box: Ships with Android 13, offering slightly more recent features and software updates (although the S21 5G is upgradable).
- Black and White Camera For users who enjoy B&W photography.
Trade-offs:
- S21 5G: Sacrifices a larger display and battery capacity for superior performance, camera quality, and display technology. Also older in terms of release date.
- Note 50: Trades processing power, camera quality, and display sharpness for a more affordable price point, with the possible benefit of better battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is ideal for:
- Power users who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and media editing.
- Photography enthusiasts who value versatile cameras with advanced features and high-quality output.
- Media consumers who want the best possible display quality and immersive audio experience.
- Users needing advanced connectivity such as the latest wifi and bluetooth options.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with demanding graphics and smooth performance.
- Professional photography and videography, including 4K/8K video capture.
- Streaming high-resolution videos and enjoying media content in bright sunlight.
- Multitasking between demanding apps.
Realme Note 50 is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Users who value a larger screen for content consumption but don't need high resolution.
- Users who prioritise battery life and only use basic apps and services.
- Users that need a newer Android OS but aren't too bothered about other features.
Use Cases:
- Browsing the web, checking social media, and sending emails.
- Watching videos occasionally.
- Basic photography and video recording.
- Everyday use without demanding performance needs.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21 5G offers high performance and superior features, but may have a higher price point, even as a used phone due to it's release date.
- The Note 50 offers basic features at a much lower price, making it suitable for budget-conscious users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, basic communication)
- How important is display quality and performance to me?
- What is my budget and how does that impact my needs?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- High-Performance User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its superior performance, camera, and display.
- Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Realme Note 50 for its larger screen, basic performance and affordability, especially if battery life is a priority.
- Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its advanced camera system and features.
- Everyday User: If you are using a phone for basic tasks, and don't need high performance, the Realme Note 50 is perfectly adequate. If you are using a phone for social media, video calling, and watching videos, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G will be a superior experience due to the vastly better screen, audio, performance and camera.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. The main reason for this is that I would prioritise screen quality and performance over having a slightly larger battery and larger screen. I would use the phone for social media, video calls and watching videos, and the superior AMOLED screen and stereo speakers would provide a much better experience for this. The extra performance is important to me, meaning that I could be confident that the phone would be able to run any apps I need. The better camera system would also mean that I could take better photos and videos than would be possible on the Note 50. While the Note 50 has a newer Android version, I know that the S21 is still able to be upgraded, and the other features are worth more to me personally.
