1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | Xperia 5 IV is taller and slightly thicker, while S21 5G is wider. May affect one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 169g | 172g | Virtually the same weight, negligible difference for daily carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.1" | S21 5G has a slightly larger screen for immersive viewing, though the difference is minor. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2520 | Xperia 5 IV has slightly sharper visuals, but the difference is hardly noticeable in daily usage. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 449 | Xperia 5 IV has slightly more detailed images, but both are very sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21 5G is significantly better for outdoor use, especially in direct sunlight. The lack of a brightness specification for the Xperia is a significant limitation. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Xperia 5 IV has a newer and faster chipset, providing smoother overall performance and faster loading times. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,021,542 | Xperia 5 IV is noticeably faster for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Xperia 5 IV has superior graphics performance for gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7" | Xperia 5 IV's wider aperture (f/1.7) and larger sensor may capture more light, resulting in slightly better low-light photos. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21 5G offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots and portrait mode, which the Xperia 5 IV lacks. |
| Telephoto | None | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5" | Xperia 5 IV has a dedicated telephoto lens for zooming, offering flexibility not found in the S21 5G. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | Both offer a wide angle lens for expansive shots. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 12MP, f/2.0, Sony Exmor RS | Xperia 5 IV has a higher resolution and a slightly brighter selfie camera for clearer selfies and better performance in low light. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, HDR, EIS | 4K@120fps, HDR, OIS, EIS | Xperia 5 IV offers higher framerate 4K, and OIS, resulting in smoother videos, and the S21 5G offers 8k video capabilities. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | Mobile: 119, Selfie: Not tested | Xperia 5 IV scores higher in overall mobile camera performance, especially in video. Only S21 5G has selfie score. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 5 IV's larger battery should provide significantly longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Xperia 5 IV charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Wireless 15W, Reverse 4.5W | Bypass charging | S21 5G offers wireless charging while Xperia 5 IV has bypass charging which allows you to game while plugged in without damaging the battery. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Xperia 5 IV has a newer base OS, but Samsung's support for 15 is higher. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage, limiting the potential to increase storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Both offer good sound quality, Xperia 5 IV with Hi-Res for audiophiles and S21 5G with noise cancelling for better calls. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness makes it superior for outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight.
- Telephoto + portrait Lens: Offers a dedicated zoom lens and portrait capabilities not found in the Xperia 5 IV.
- Wireless Charging: Provides convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features.
- 8K Video Recording: Supports recording in 8K for higher resolution content creation.
- Selfie Camera DXOMark Score: It has a good DXOMark selfie camera performance.
- Operating System Support: Upgradable to Android 15 which is a higher upgrade.
Sony Xperia 5 IV Advantages:
- Performance: The newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides faster processing and graphics performance.
- Battery Life: Larger battery capacity potentially offers much longer usage times.
- Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor and wider aperture on the main camera potentially results in better low-light photos.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens and Wide Angle Lens: Provides dedicated lenses with more flexible camera system than the S21 5G.
- Video Recording: Higher frame rate recording and OIS for more stable and smoother videos.
- Higher DXOMark Score: Better overall and video camera scores according to DXOMark.
- Newer Bluetooth: Supports the newer Bluetooth 5.2 standard.
- Bypass Charging: Protects battery while gaming.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio quality experience for audiophiles.
- eSIM Support: Enables digital carrier switching without the need of a physical SIM card.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Loses out on processing power and battery life in comparison with the Xperia 5 IV.
- Sony Xperia 5 IV: Lacks the dedicated telephoto lens for portraits, wireless charging capabilities and significantly less brightness than the S21 5G, especially for sunny environments.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight.
- Photography Focused (Portraits): Users who want a dedicated telephoto lens for portrait photography.
- Wireless Charging Enthusiasts: Users who prefer the convenience of wireless charging.
- 8K Video Creators: Users who need high resolution videos.
Specific Use Cases for S21 5G:
- Taking photos outdoors on a bright sunny day.
- Using the telephoto lens to capture detailed portrait shots.
- Filming 8K video content for professional usage.
Sony Xperia 5 IV Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Users who require the best possible performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Battery-Conscious Users: Users who prioritize long battery life.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value the versatility of a triple-lens system.
- Videographers: Users who need high-quality video capture with stabilization.
- Audiophiles: Users who need hi-res audio playback
Specific Use Cases for Xperia 5 IV:
- Playing graphic-intensive mobile games.
- Recording high-quality videos on the go.
- Going through the day with a single charge of the battery.
- Enjoying high quality audio with a good pair of headphones.
- Switching between carriers without swapping physical SIM cards.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How often do you use your phone outdoors in direct sunlight? (If often, S21 5G's brightness is a major advantage)
- Do you prioritize mobile gaming and demanding tasks, or battery life for day to day usage? (If yes, Xperia 5 IV is the better choice due to processing power and battery capacity)
- What kind of photography do you value most? (If portraits, S21 5G with its dedicated portrait lens; If general photography, Xperia 5 IV's camera system is more versatile).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast, Casual Photography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its exceptional screen brightness and telephoto portrait lens.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer, Video Creator: Choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV for its superior performance, longer battery life, and advanced video features.
- Scenario 3: Daily Driver, Audio Enthusiast: Choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV for its superior battery life, newer processor, and higher resolution audio with Hi-Res.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a brighter display, my typical use case involves more indoor activities, so its higher brightness is less of an advantage for me. I highly prioritize battery life and performance. The Xperia 5 IV's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 5000 mAh battery would significantly improve my daily usage experience compared to the Exynos 2100 and 4000 mAh battery on the S21 5G.
Additionally, I value versatility in photography. While the S21 5G has a telephoto portrait lens, the Xperia 5 IV's dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses along with its superior video recording capabilities, provide more flexibility for my needs. The Xperia's slightly better camera overall performance and the Hi-Res audio are also a plus. Finally, the inclusion of Bypass charging is useful to preserve the battery health while I'm gaming on my phone.
