1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Flip3 offers a unique, compact design when folded, while the S21 is a traditional slab phone. This impacts portability and handling. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 166 × 72.2 × 6.9 mm | The Flip3 is taller when unfolded but thinner and slightly wider; S21 is shorter and thicker. This impacts pocketability and hand comfort. |
| Weight | 169g | 183g | The S21 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.7" | The Flip3 has a larger screen, offering more space for media and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | The Flip3's higher resolution results in slightly sharper images but the difference is hardly noticeable. |
| PPI | 421 | 426 | Both have very similar pixel density, meaning both are equally crisp for most viewing distances. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Not Specified | The S21's AMOLED offers superior color and contrast and better dark mode power consumption; lack of info for Z Flip3 makes it hard to compare. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, resulting in fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | The S21 is slightly brighter, leading to better visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Flip3's Snapdragon chip generally offers better performance and efficiency, but this may not always be noticeable in day-to-day tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 898,700 | The Flip3 has significantly higher performance, noticeable in demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | The Adreno 660 (Flip3) is generally considered more powerful in mobile gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP (1/1.76" sensor, 1.80µm pixels) | 12.2MP (1/2.55" sensor, 1.40µm pixels) | S21's larger sensor generally captures more light resulting in better low light performance, Flip3 has slightly more pixels but smaller sensor. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP | Not available | S21 has dedicated telephoto for zoom and portraits, offering more versatility. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP (f/2.2) | 10MP (f/2.4) | S21's wider aperture might result in slightly brighter selfies in low-light |
| Wide Angle | Not available | 13MP | Flip3 provides an ultrawide perspective for landscape and group shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2 MP | Not available | S21 can take macro shots, and also has a wider angle perspective from its lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21 captures professional 8k video, while both have stable 4k capture. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 111 (photo: 118, video: 90) | 111 (photo: 118, video: 110) | Flip3's video is better, while both have the same photo performance. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 132 (photo: 125, video: 145) | Not tested | S21's selfie camera was tested, with good performance score; cannot be compared as Flip3 selfie cam has not been tested. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 3300mAh | S21 has significantly larger battery, providing better endurance and longer usage per charge. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 15W fast charging | S21 recharges faster than Flip3. |
| Features | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | None | S21 offers more charging versatility and can charge other devices wirelessly. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Camera System: Features a dedicated telephoto lens, wide angle + macro lens, and higher resolution standard lens, providing more versatility and better low-light performance, making it better for photography.
- Larger Battery: The 4000mAh battery provides better battery life for extended use compared to the Flip3.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging is significantly faster than the 15W on the Flip3.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Offers more charging convenience.
- Better Display Visibility: Higher maximum brightness results in better readability in bright sunlight.
- More advanced audio features: Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation microphone gives better audio separation for improved calls and richer audio experience.
- 8K Video Recording: Allows for higher video capture resolutions.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Advantages:
- Unique Foldable Design: Compact and portable, it fits easily in pockets and offers a different usage experience.
- Stronger Performance: Snapdragon 888 offers higher benchmark scores for smoother gaming and more demanding tasks.
- Slightly larger display: Offers a more immersive experience.
- Wider camera angle lens: Allows capturing wide landscape shots, or group pictures.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 offers faster connectivity and slightly improved features.
- eSIM Support: Provides more flexibility for switching between carriers.
- Superior Video Recording Performance: Based on DxOMark, it shows better video performance compared to the S21.
- Better GPS support: Offers slightly better location accuracy due to supporting more satellite systems.
Trade-offs:
- S21: Lacks the unique foldable design and portability of the Flip3, slightly lower benchmark performance compared to the Flip3.
- Flip3: Sacrifices battery life, camera versatility (telephoto lens is absent) and charging speed compared to S21. The display lacks AMOLED technology details.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize versatile camera systems, zoom capabilities, low-light performance, and 8k video recording.
- Heavy Users: Individuals needing extended battery life throughout the day for heavy tasks, such as gaming or multi-tasking.
- Media Consumption: Users who enjoy watching a lot of video content, and prefer good brightness and vibrant colors.
Use Cases for S21:
- Travel photography
- Professional video shooting
- All-day usage with heavy multi-tasking
- Long hours of video consumption or gaming
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G:
- Fashion-conscious users: Those who want a compact, stylish device with a unique design.
- On-the-go users: People who value portability and prefer a small form factor when the device is not in use.
- Social Media Content Creators: Users who utilize wide camera angles, and need high video performance.
- Users who prefer a newer processor: For higher performance and smoother gaming.
Use Cases for Flip3:
- Casual Photography and Social Media content creation
- Easier pocketability with unique foldable design
- Gaming, and performing heavy tasks with higher processing power
- Travel with a compact form factor
Price-to-Value Considerations:
- The S21 provides robust overall performance, better camera functionality and battery for the price.
- The Flip3's premium comes with the unique foldable design, slightly better benchmark performance, and slightly better video quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Do you prioritize a unique and compact design, or a more traditional form factor?
- How crucial are camera versatility and battery life for your daily usage?
- Do you need a high-performance processor for gaming and heavy tasks, or a balanced overall experience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Focused: Choose the Galaxy S21 5G for its superior camera versatility and 8k recording capabilities, and overall better photo performance.
- Scenario 2: Portability and Style: Opt for the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G for its unique foldable design and better performance, accepting trade-offs in battery and camera versatility.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance and Battery: If you need an all-rounder with a robust camera, excellent battery life and good display go for the Galaxy S21 5G.
- Scenario 4: Gaming and Performance Focused: If you prioritize smoother experience, and slightly better video recording, then the Flip 3 is a better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Reasoning:
While the foldable design of the Flip3 is undeniably appealing and offers a unique user experience, my personal priorities lie with having a versatile and reliable daily driver. The S21 excels in areas that are most important to me:
- Camera Versatility: As someone who enjoys photography, the S21's telephoto lens, better low-light performance due to larger sensors and higher 8k video recording provide a more well-rounded and dependable camera system for various scenarios.
- Battery Life: The S21's larger battery ensures I can go through my day without worrying about running out of power and not needing a mid-day charge.
- Overall value: the S21 is the better rounded package, having better charging capabilities, superior audio functionality, better brightness in sunlight, and an overall balanced package for a daily driver.
- Practicality: While the foldable aspect of the Flip 3 is very impressive, the standard form factor of the S21 is more practical for everyday use. It doesn't involve the extra step of unfolding the phone and offers a familiar feel.
Even though the Flip 3 boasts a better processor, its slightly higher benchmark performance isn't something I would significantly notice in my daily tasks. The S21's slightly lower performance is acceptable when you factor in the trade-offs like the better camera, bigger battery and more advanced audio features.
Therefore, for my use case, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G provides the most sensible overall balance of features and practicality.
