Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Fold4 offers a large tablet-like screen when unfolded, while the S21 5G remains a typical smartphone for easy one-handed use. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 155.1 × 130.1 × 6.3 mm (unfolded) | The S21 5G is more pocketable. The Z Fold4 is larger and heavier, especially when unfolded, making it less convenient for small pockets but offers a larger screen area. |
| Weight | 169g | 263g | The S21 5G is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use and portability. The Z Fold4's weight is more noticeable, potentially leading to fatigue during long periods of holding it. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 7.6" (unfolded) | The Z Fold4 offers a significantly larger display, excellent for multitasking, media consumption and productivity. The S21 5G is more compact and comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1812x2176 | The Z Fold4's higher resolution results in sharper images and more detailed visuals, making it ideal for high-resolution content and detailed workflows. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 373 PPI | The S21 5G has a slightly sharper screen at typical smartphone viewing distances due to higher PPI. The Z Fold 4's PPI is still considered sharp for its larger size. |
| Technology | AMOLED | The S21 5G has a display with excellent color contrast, vibrant colors, and deep blacks. It provides superior power efficiency, especially with dark themes. The display technology for the Z Fold4 is not specified, which makes this spec difficult to compare directly. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both devices offer smooth scrolling and animations, enhancing user experience, especially for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21 5G's higher brightness makes it much more viewable under direct sunlight, a significant advantage for outdoor use. Z Fold4 brightness is not provided. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Z Fold4's chipset is more powerful, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,232,800 | The Z Fold4 achieves significantly higher benchmark scores, translating to a noticeable performance difference in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | The Adreno 730 GPU in the Z Fold4 provides enhanced graphics performance, suitable for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm pixels | The Z Fold4 has a higher resolution sensor, capturing more detail. The S21 5G has larger pixels, which may provide better low-light performance but it's dependent on the sensor. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm pixels | None | The S21 5G offers a dedicated telephoto lens with higher megapixel, offering more detailed zoom capabilities compared to no telephoto. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm pixels | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm pixels | Both phones offer comparable selfie camera performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm pixels | The Z Fold4 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm pixels | The Z Fold4 includes an ultrawide lens for capturing expansive landscapes and group photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm pixels | None | The S21 5G provides a macro option in addition to wide angle for close up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, various 4K/1080p options, EIS, Stereo Sound | Up to 8K@24fps, various 4K/1080p options, EIS | Both offer similar video quality and features, however, the Z Fold4 has better slow-motion recording. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 90 | Main: 124, Photo: 131, Video: 122 | The Z Fold4 shows superior mobile camera performance in overall score, photo and video capture based on DXOMark scores. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 132, Photo: 125, Video: 145 | Not tested | The S21 5G has strong selfie camera results based on DXOMark results. This is not a spec comparison, but a test result that demonstrates the capability of the S21 5G selfie camera. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4400mAh | The Z Fold4 offers a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life but it's not a significant difference. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Both devices support the same fast charging speed, which is not the fastest on the market. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, No charger in-box | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | The Z Fold4 offers faster reverse wireless charging, while both support wireless charging. S21 5G offers no charger in the box and it has a slower wireless charging speed for other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Compact and Lightweight: Easier to handle and pocket, ideal for users who prefer one-handed operation.
- Higher Pixel Density (PPI): Offers a slightly sharper display at typical viewing distances.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better visibility in direct sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor usage.
- More Capable Selfie Camera: The S21 5G has better selfie camera performance, based on the DXOMark results.
- Lower Price Point: Generally more affordable than the Z Fold4.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: The S21 5G offers better macro shots, due to a dedicated lens.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Offers better call quality with enhanced audio separation and immersion.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Advantages:
- Large Foldable Display: Offers a tablet-like experience for improved multitasking and content consumption, boosting productivity.
- Superior Performance: Faster chipset and more RAM for demanding tasks and smoother performance.
- Higher Resolution Screen: Delivers sharper, more detailed visuals.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens and wide-angle lens, lacking in the S21 5G, and providing more flexibility in capturing photos.
- Better Mobile Camera Quality: Based on DXOMark results, it captures better photos and videos.
- Larger Storage Options: Offers up to 1TB of internal storage.
- Faster Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices more quickly.
- Advanced Features: The Z Fold4 has advanced features like a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, laser autofocus, dual front camera, under-display camera, and Wi-Fi MIMO.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Z Fold4 is bulkier and heavier, impacting portability. It's heavier and more cumbersome to use as a phone in its folded state.
- The S21 5G has a smaller screen, which can be limiting for content consumption and multitasking.
- The S21 5G is missing features like telephoto and wide angle lenses, less versatile for capturing many scenes.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize portability and ease of handling.
- Individuals who frequently use their phone outdoors in direct sunlight.
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for a high-quality standard smartphone.
- Users who appreciate a compact form factor for one-handed use.
- Users who value the selfie camera, for example, influencers and social media content creators.
Use Cases for S21 5G:
- Everyday phone tasks like calls, messaging, and social media browsing.
- Outdoor photography, taking pictures and videos under bright light.
- Users needing a reliable all-rounder phone that is compact and lightweight.
- Users looking for better macro photos.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Ideal Users:
- Professionals who need a mobile device for productivity, multitasking, and media consumption.
- Users who enjoy gaming and other graphically intensive tasks.
- Users who need ample storage space for files and media.
- Tech enthusiasts looking for the latest innovations in smartphone technology.
- Users who want a versatile camera with a zoom and wide angle lens.
Use Cases for Z Fold4:
- Multitasking between multiple apps for enhanced productivity.
- Watching videos, gaming, and creating content on a large screen.
- Using a portable device with a tablet-like screen.
- Those who need a robust camera system with telephoto and ultrawide capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize portability and ease of use, or a larger screen for multitasking?
- Is camera versatility (telephoto and ultrawide lenses) important, or do you value a stronger selfie camera and low light performance for daily snapshots?
- What is your budget, and how much are you willing to spend for cutting-edge technology?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its balance of features, portability, and lower cost.
- Productivity-Focused User: Opt for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 for its large screen, superior performance, and better multitasking capabilities.
- Photography Enthusiast: If telephoto zoom and wide-angle are critical, choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. For low light performance and a better selfie, the S21 5G may be more suitable.
- Mobile Gamer: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 offers the superior performance needed for demanding games.
- General user that wants a daily carry: The S21 5G is the better choice, being lighter and more compact.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. Despite the higher price and bulkier design, the advantages it offers in terms of the larger display, superior performance, and more versatile camera system align better with my priorities. I use my phone for a lot of multitasking, content consumption, and document review, so the Z Fold4's large screen would greatly improve my daily workflow and enhance my productivity. While the S21 5G has benefits in portability and selfie quality, the Z Fold4's enhanced capabilities make it the more compelling option for my usage scenarios. I also value having a better telephoto and ultrawide lens, which the S21 5G lacks.
