Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A04e
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04e | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | The S21 5G is noticeably more compact, making it easier to handle and pocket. The A04e is larger and may feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 169g | 188g | The S21 5G is significantly lighter, which is more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Build Material | (Not specified) | (Not specified) | Unable to determine specific build materials, which may affect durability and overall feel. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04e | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.5" | The A04e has a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption, but the size difference is not very noticeable in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | The S21 5G has a much sharper display, leading to clearer text, finer details, and overall better image quality for all tasks. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 270 PPI | The S21 5G has a significantly sharper display, resulting in crisp text and detailed visuals. The A04e's display will appear noticeably less sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | The S21 5G's AMOLED screen offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours. The A04e's LCD panel has lower quality colours. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The S21 5G's 120Hz refresh rate provides a much smoother experience during navigation, gaming, and scrolling. The A04e may feel less fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21 5G is dramatically brighter, making it much easier to view in direct sunlight. It's unlikely the A04e has 0 nits and this may be a missing specification. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04e | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | The S21 5G's chipset is significantly more powerful, providing much faster performance for all tasks, including gaming, multitasking, and app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 121,345 | The S21 5G scores almost 517% higher, which indicates a vastly superior performance and much smoother user experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | PowerVR GE8320 | The S21 5G's GPU is significantly more powerful and will deliver a much better gaming experience, allowing for higher graphics settings and smoother frame rates. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04e | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm, Sony IMX555 | 13MP, f/2.2 | The S21 5G has larger pixels and a wider aperture, which generally translates to better low-light performance, though the A04e has a slightly higher resolution sensor. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm, Samsung Bright S5KGW2 | Not Available | The S21 5G's dedicated telephoto lens provides optical zoom capabilities and better portrait shots, which are absent on the A04e. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, Sony IMX563 | Not Available | The S21 5G's wide-angle lens allows capturing more in each shot, useful for landscapes, and group photos. It is absent on the A04e. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm, Sony IMX374 | 5MP, f/2.2 | The S21 5G's selfie camera has significantly higher resolution, resulting in clearer and more detailed selfies. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) Camera | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | The A04e offers a dedicated depth sensor, which aids in achieving a bokeh effect (blurred background), which the S21 5G doesn't have, but may have in software. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound; Slow-motion: 960fps | Up to 1080p@30fps; Slow-motion: 30fps | The S21 5G supports dramatically higher resolution and higher frame rate video recording with various stabilization options. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | Digital zoom, Autofocus, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, etc. | The S21 5G has significantly more advanced features for photography and videography, including optical stabilization, manual controls, and advanced shooting modes. |
| DxOMark Camera Score | Main: 111, Selfie: 132 | Not available | The S21 5G's camera scored well by DxOMark which shows a capable camera, no similar rating exists for the A04e for comparison. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04e | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The A04e has a larger battery, which can potentially lead to longer battery life, but actual battery life also depends on software and processor. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | The S21 5G has fast charging capabilities, allowing it to recharge much quicker. |
| Other Features | 15W Wireless, Reverse, No Charger In-box | Non-Removable | The S21 5G has advanced charging features such as reverse charging, reverse wireless charging and wireless charging. Neither phone has a removable battery |
Software, Connectivity & Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04e | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 12 | The A04e starts with a newer Android version but the S21 5G has a clearer upgrade path to Android 15 which makes it better in the long term. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, WiFi 6 | 802.11 b/g/n | The S21 5G supports the latest Wi-Fi standard (Wi-Fi 6) providing faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, etc. | 5.0, A2DP, LE | The S21 5G supports more advanced Bluetooth features and codecs for improved audio quality and connection reliability with other devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | The S21 5G supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy in different regions and environments. |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 32GB, 64GB or 128GB | The S21 5G offers more internal storage (up to 256GB). |
| RAM | 8GB | 3GB or 4GB | The S21 5G has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and better app performance, especially with demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Basic audio features | The S21 5G offers significantly better audio output for media consumption and voice calls with advanced features. |
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic security features | The S21 5G offers more convenient biometric security with its fingerprint scanner. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The S21 5G is significantly more durable against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer | The S21 5G has a more comprehensive sensor suite, enabling features like augmented reality, advanced gaming, and more precise environmental measurements. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher refresh rate, higher brightness, much sharper and smoother screen.
- Vastly Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful processor and GPU, resulting in much faster performance for all tasks.
- Advanced Camera System: More versatile camera setup with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, better image quality with OIS and more features.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and noise-cancellation mic for better audio output.
- Premium Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, fast charging, comprehensive sensor suite, Wi-Fi 6, and better Bluetooth codecs.
- Better long-term support: Guaranteed update to Android 15
- Better Durability: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers greater screen protection.
Samsung Galaxy A04e Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Higher capacity battery for potentially longer battery life.
- Potentially Lower Price: The A04e is typically much more affordable.
- Dedicated Depth sensor: For better portrait shots using the back camera
- Newer OS out of the box: Ships with Android 12
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21 5G trades a slightly smaller battery for vastly superior performance, camera features, display quality, and overall experience.
- The A04e offers longer battery life and lower cost in return for lower performance, lower resolution screen, lower camera quality and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Power Users: Users who need top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with great image quality and advanced features.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize display quality for watching videos, browsing, and enjoying content.
- Users who value premium features: Those who appreciate advanced features like wireless charging, fast charging, and better audio.
Use Cases:
- Gaming with smooth performance and high graphics.
- Photography and videography in various situations with great flexibility.
- Watching high-definition movies and shows with vibrant colors and great contrast.
- Heavy multitasking and running demanding applications smoothly.
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A04e:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who prioritize affordability and are willing to compromise on performance and features.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texting, and light social media browsing.
- Users who need long battery life: Users who need a phone to last through the day with normal usage.
Use Cases:
- Everyday basic tasks like phone calls and text messages.
- Light web browsing and social media use.
- Longer periods away from a charger for daily usage.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Galaxy S21 5G: Higher price but offers a premium experience with cutting-edge features and powerful performance, thus offering better overall value for the price, for those who value performance.
- Galaxy A04e: Much more affordable, but provides a basic smartphone experience with lower performance and features. It has good value for those who want a functional smartphone for basic tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary usage for the phone? (e.g., Gaming, photography, basic daily use)
- What is my budget? (Are you willing to pay more for premium features, or are you on a strict budget?)
- How important is battery life, performance and display quality to me? (Is battery life more critical or does performance/display quality take priority?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer or Power User: If you play graphically intensive games or run demanding apps, the Galaxy S21 5G is the clear choice due to its powerful chipset and higher refresh rate display.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: If you need a functional smartphone for calls, texts, and basic browsing, and you are on a tight budget, then the Galaxy A04e may be the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Media Enthusiast: The Galaxy S21 5G is much better for capturing high quality photos and videos, and the higher resolution display and better audio make it a superior device for viewing content.
- Scenario 4: Long battery life user: If battery life is your utmost priority and you're willing to trade off performance and features, the Galaxy A04e with it's larger battery is the best choice for you.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A04e, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Although it is older, the vast difference in performance, camera quality and display technology is too significant to ignore.
While the A04e has a bigger battery, I would choose the S21 5G's better charging technology and superior user experience thanks to the 120hz refresh rate, better display and performance. The camera system, complete with a telephoto and wide angle lens is significantly more versatile compared to the A04e. Furthermore, The S21 5G comes with much better build quality including a more robust screen which makes it more suitable for long term use. The S21 5G also has better long-term support with a guaranteed update to Android 15, which the A04e lacks.
The S21 5G provides significantly better features and delivers a much better overall smartphone experience, even though it is older. Unless my budget is extremely tight, the S21 5G would be my clear choice.
