Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G, focusing on the practical implications of their specifications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm | The S22+ is noticeably taller and wider, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. The S21 is slightly thicker but has a smaller overall footprint. |
| Weight | 169g | 195g | The S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. The S22+ might feel heavier in the hand. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.6" | The S22+ offers a larger screen, providing a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2340 | Both displays are sharp, with minor differences unlikely to be noticeable in daily use. |
| PPI | 421 | 393 | The S21 has a slightly sharper display but the difference is minimal. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1750 nits | The S22+ has much better outdoor visibility, ensuring clarity even in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Exynos 2200 (4nm) | The S22+ with the newer 4nm chip generally offers a performance boost in most tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 890,774 | The S22+ demonstrates higher benchmark scores, indicating better overall performance in demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Xclipse 920 | The S22+ GPU is significantly more powerful, providing a better graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm | The S22+ has a much higher resolution sensor for sharper images and better detail. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | Not present | The S21 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for portrait shots and zoomed-in images. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 10MP, f/2.2, 1.22µm | Comparable selfie performance between the two phones. |
| Telephoto Lens | Not present | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm | The S22+ offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed-in images. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not present | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.4µm | The S22+ offers an ultrawide lens for capturing more in a shot. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | Not present | The S21 has a dedicated wide-angle + macro sensor for those specific types of shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both record up to 8K and have similar video recording capabilities. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 125 | The S22+ has better overall camera performance. |
| DxOMark Video Score | 90 | 124 | The S22+ produces significantly better video quality according to the DxOMark scores. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | The S22+ has a larger battery, offering better battery life for longer usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | The S22+ charges faster, allowing for less downtime. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | Bypass Charging, 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | Both have wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities. The S22+ offers a "Bypass Charging" feature which allows the user to power the device directly from the charger, thus reducing battery drain and heat during intensive use. The S21 includes "Reverse Charging," which is not present on the S22+ |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The S21 is more comfortable for single-handed use and carrying in a pocket.
- Wider Variety of Camera Lenses: S21 offers more variety in its camera system.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G Advantages:
- Larger, Brighter Display: The S22+ provides a more immersive viewing experience, especially in bright conditions.
- Superior Performance: The newer chipset delivers better overall performance for demanding apps and games.
- Enhanced Camera System: Higher resolution main sensor, telephoto lens, wide angle lens, and superior video performance.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The S22+ offers longer battery life and faster charging speeds.
- Improved Bluetooth: S22+ has a newer Bluetooth version.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S22+ is heavier and larger, which might be less comfortable for some users.
- The S21 offers more variety in its camera system but has a lower overall image quality and inferior video recording capabilities according to DxOmark tests.
- The S21 supports reverse charging, while the S22+ does not.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize portability and comfort: Its lighter weight and more compact size make it better for one-handed use and carrying.
- Users looking for a more affordable option: This model can be a good choice if the budget is a major concern.
- Users who appreciate a wider variety of camera lenses: If a telephoto and macro lens are a priority over overall camera quality, this may be a better option.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize performance: The newer chipset ensures smoother performance in demanding tasks and games.
- Users who consume a lot of media: The larger, brighter display enhances the viewing experience for videos and games.
- Users who need a great camera: The S22+ delivers higher-quality photos and videos in most situations.
- Users who need longer battery life: The larger battery and faster charging make the S22+ a better choice for heavy users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: Portability or larger screen/performance? If portability and lightweight is key, the S21 is a better option. If performance and a more immersive display is the priority, choose the S22+.
- How important is camera performance and video quality? If this is a critical factor, the S22+ with its superior camera performance and higher video capabilities would be the better choice.
- What is your budget? The S21, being older, is likely more affordable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "Power User": A user who games, edits videos, and needs a device for all-day use with consistent brightness. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G due to its superior performance, display brightness and improved battery life.
- Scenario 2: "Casual User": A user who wants a good smartphone for social media, occasional photos, and general use without intense resource demands. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G can provide a great experience at a lower price point.
- Scenario 3: "On-the-Go Professional": A user who travels a lot and needs a reliable device that's comfortable to carry. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G due to the comfort of its lighter and more compact form.
- Scenario 4: "Photo Enthusiast": A user who takes a lot of photos/videos and who wants the best quality available. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G due to its more powerful camera with higher quality images and video recording.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G. While I appreciate the S21's more compact design and lower weight, the S22+ has several important upgrades that make it a better overall option for me. These include:
- Significantly better performance: The upgraded processor and GPU of the S22+ make it more future-proof and capable of handling resource-intensive tasks.
- Superior Display: The brighter screen of the S22+ is a significant advantage for outdoor use, and the larger size is preferable for media consumption.
- Better camera: As someone who enjoys taking photos and videos, I appreciate the upgraded camera on the S22+ which produces better quality images and videos, as well as a dedicated telephoto and ultrawide lens.
- Better Battery Life and Charging: The larger battery capacity and faster charging capability of the S22+ means I can use the device more without worrying about it needing to be charged too often.
While the S21 may be a more budget-friendly choice, I find the improvements in performance, display quality, camera, and battery on the S22+ to be worth the extra investment.
