Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Z Fold6 offers a larger, tablet-like experience when unfolded; S21 5G is a traditional smartphone. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 | 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 | Fold6 is taller and much wider when unfolded, thinner. S21 5G is more pocketable when folded, but Fold 6 offers much more screen space. |
| Weight (g) | 169 | 239 | S21 5G is significantly lighter and more comfortable for one-handed use; Fold6 is heavier, and thus not as comfortable to carry around in the pocket for a long time. |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.2 | 7.6 | Fold6 offers a much larger display for immersive media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1856 x 2160 | Fold6's higher resolution leads to crisper visuals and greater detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 374 | S21 5G has a sharper display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Not Specified | S21 5G uses AMOLED technology providing better colors, contrast, and energy efficiency, especially with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 120 | 120 | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 0 | S21 5G screen is much brighter, making it easier to see outdoors in bright sunlight. Fold 6 missing specifications make it difficult to evaluate outdoor visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Fold6's newer chipset is significantly faster, leading to better app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 2,200,000 | Fold6 offers dramatically better performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | Fold6's Adreno GPU is more powerful, providing better graphics performance for gaming and video editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity (mAh) | 4000 | 4400 | Fold6 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally longer usage. |
| Charging | 25W | 25W | Both offer 25W fast charging. |
| Features | Reverse charging, wireless charging, no charger in box | Bypass charging, reverse charging, wireless charging | Both support reverse and wireless charging, but Fold6 allows bypass charging while the S21 5G does not come with a charger in the box. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera (MP) | 12 | 50 | Fold6 has higher resolution primary camera, capturing more detail. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 64MP | None | S21 5G has a dedicated telephoto + portrait camera, while Fold 6 does not have a dedicated one. |
| Selfie Camera (MP) | 10 | 10 | Both have a comparable front-facing camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10 | Fold6 has a dedicated Telephoto lens allowing for optical zoom. S21 5G lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, using digital zoom instead. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12 | Fold6 has a dedicated wide angle lens for capturing larger scenes, while S21 5G lacks a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | None | S21 5G has a dedicated Wide Angle + Macro Camera. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both record high quality videos. Fold 6 has higher frame rate at 8K. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 111 | 133 | Fold6 performs better in all the areas based on the score provided. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 132 | None | S21 5G has been tested for selfie performance, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 has not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 14 (up to 18) | Fold6 ships with a newer OS version, getting 3 more OS updates in the future. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both support similar WiFi standards, Fold6 supports Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Fold6 has a newer version of Bluetooth for improved connectivity. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Fold6 offers eSIM support for additional flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Fold6 offers significantly more storage options for media and apps. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | Fold6 has more RAM, allowing better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | S21 5G has noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Fold6 has a more modern side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both devices have excellent screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer, Gravity | Fold6 has additional Gravity sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Significantly lighter (169g vs 239g), easier to handle and carry in pockets.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (421 PPI vs 374 PPI) for a slightly sharper display.
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits brightness is much better for outdoor visibility.
- More Camera Features: Has a Telephoto + portrait, Wide Angle + Macro camera, and noise cancellation microphone, which the Fold 6 does not.
- Lower Price Point: Generally more affordable than the Z Fold6.
- Noise cancellation microphone: Has a noise cancellation microphone for better audio capture during calls and recordings.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Advantages:
- Larger Foldable Display: Significantly larger 7.6" display for a tablet-like experience when unfolded, excellent for multitasking, media, and gaming.
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset (2,200,000 vs 749,100 AnTuTu score) and more RAM (12GB vs 8GB) for demanding apps and games.
- More Storage: Higher storage options (up to 1TB vs 256GB).
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 14 (upgradable to Android 18), and a newer bluetooth version.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution 50 MP main camera for more detail.
- Telephoto and Wide Angle Lenses: Features dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses for versatile photography.
- More modern fingerprint sensor: Features a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
- eSIM Support: Supports eSIM for flexibility with carriers.
- Better video and photo capture: Based on the DxOMark, it scores much higher in the main camera category.
Trade-offs:
- The Z Fold6 is significantly heavier and bulkier than the S21 5G.
- The S21 5G, while lighter, lacks the immersive large display of the Z Fold6.
- The S21 5G has better display brightness and clarity in outdoor conditions, but worse gaming performance.
- The Z Fold 6 has a larger battery, but it's not enough to support the much bigger and brighter display when compared with the S21 5G.
- The Z Fold 6 has a higher price than the S21 5G, which may not be affordable for most customers.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Users prioritizing portability: Those who want a compact and lightweight phone that fits comfortably in a pocket.
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking flagship-level features at a lower price.
- Users needing excellent outdoor visibility: Those often using their phone in bright daylight.
- Everyday Users: People who mostly browse social media, answer emails, and capture casual photos/videos.
- Users that want better audio capture: Those that record audio, or have meetings on the phone.
Use Cases:
- Daily commutes, fits in a pocket easily.
- Taking photos on-the-go in bright sunlight.
- General everyday use.
- Long calls that require better audio capture.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Ideal Users:
- Power users: Those needing the best performance and multitasking capabilities.
- Multimedia consumers: Those who watch videos, play games, or read extensively.
- Business professionals: Those needing a large screen for productivity tasks.
- Users that prioritize a futuristic experience: Those who want the latest innovative technology.
- Users that want a versatile camera: Those who want an excellent main camera with telephoto and wide-angle lenses for multiple use cases.
Use Cases:
- Multitasking with multiple apps.
- Watching movies and playing games.
- Presentations and documents on a larger screen.
- Photo and video editing.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Portability vs. Large Screen Experience)
- What is your budget? (Price sensitivity)
- What features are most important to you? (Camera, performance, battery, or display)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget & Everyday Use:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. It offers a balance of features and price for everyday use.
- Scenario 2: Power User & Productivity:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. It provides superior performance and a large display for productivity.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia & Gaming:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. Its large screen and powerful hardware are ideal for an immersive experience.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor Use:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. The bright display will be more suitable for outdoor environments.
- Scenario 5: Casual User with Photography Emphasis:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. The main camera is better, and it offers the additional telephoto and wide angle lens that the S21 5G lacks.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6. While the S21 5G has the benefit of being more affordable, lightweight, and having a brighter display, the Z Fold6 offers much more versatility and innovation. The significantly better performance, the larger display, which is excellent for multitasking and immersive media consumption, and its better camera capabilities make it the better choice for me. The modern fingerprint sensor, newer software, and the addition of telephoto and wide angle lenses also add to the overall user experience, making it a better long-term choice despite the heft and larger price tag.
