1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 167.9 × 76.5 × 8.5 mm | The S21 is significantly more compact and easier to handle with one hand. The TCL 40 SE is larger and may be less comfortable for those with smaller hands. |
| Weight | 169g | 190g | The S21 is noticeably lighter, which will feel more comfortable during extended use and carrying around. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus Front | Unknown | S21 offers superior durability against scratches and drops on the screen. The TCL screen's durability is uncertain. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.75" | TCL 40 SE provides a more immersive viewing experience with a larger display, great for media consumption. The S21 is more compact, suitable for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | S21's higher resolution results in sharper text and images, making it better for reading and viewing detailed content. TCL's display will appear less sharp, especially for text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 260 | S21 provides a much clearer and detailed display. Individual pixels will be more noticeable on the TCL 40 SE. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21's AMOLED screen offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. The TCL's LCD will have less vivid colors and may appear washed out. S21 also has a better power efficiency, especially with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and more fluid. The 90Hz on the TCL is still smooth but not as much as S21. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 900 nits | S21 is significantly better for outdoor use in bright sunlight, where the TCL may struggle. The S21 is much brighter and easier to view outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | The S21's processor is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The TCL will struggle with demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 160,000 | S21 has drastically higher benchmark scores, indicating a much faster user experience for all tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | PowerVR GE8320 | S21's superior GPU allows for a significantly better graphics performance in gaming and other graphics intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | TCL boasts a higher resolution, but resolution isn't everything. The S21's larger sensor size and pixel size will likely capture more light, leading to better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.85 | S21's wider aperture lets more light in, resulting in slightly better low-light shots. The difference here is very small. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | Not Available | The S21's larger sensor is better at capturing light, resulting in better image quality, especially in low light conditions. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 1.80 µm | 0.70 µm | S21's larger pixels capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance and less noise. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP (f/2.0) | None | The S21 offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for detailed zoomed-in shots without loss of quality. The TCL is limited to digital zoom, which can result in pixelation. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 8MP | S21 has slightly higher selfie camera resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | TCL selfie camers has wider aperture for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) Camera | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | TCL includes a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode. The S21 relies on its other cameras and software for depth information. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP (f/2.4) | The TCL has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, whereas the S21 lacks a dedicated macro camera lens. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP (f/2.2) | None | S21 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more of a scene in a single shot. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | S21 offers significantly better video recording capabilities with higher resolution (up to 8K) and advanced stabilization. |
| DXOMark Score (Mobile) | 111 | Not Available | S21 has a good DXOMark score, implying solid image quality. The TCL's image quality is unknown. |
| DXOMark Score (Selfie) | 132 | Not Available | S21 has a good DXOMark score, implying great selfie image quality. The TCL's selfie image quality is unknown. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Autofocus, HDR | S21 has additional features: 4K/8K video, Optical zoom, OIS, RAW and Night mode. TCL is missing those features. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5010mAh | TCL's significantly larger battery will likely provide much longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day even with heavy use. |
| Charging Speed | 25W | 18W | S21 can recharge slightly faster than the TCL 40 SE. |
| Charging Features | 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | None | S21 offers convenient wireless charging and can charge other devices wirelessly. The TCL lacks these features. |
Software & Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradeable to 15) | Android 13 | TCL has newer OS out of the box. The S21 can be upgraded to newer OS version. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | S21 has slightly better Wi-Fi capabilities offering potentially faster speeds and more stable connection. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 | TCL has a newer version of Bluetooth that might result in more power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS | S21 supports dual-band GPS, which could lead to more accurate location tracking, especially in urban canyons. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 or 6 GB | S21's higher RAM ensures smoother multitasking and better performance for memory-intensive tasks. |
| Internal Storage | 128 or 256 GB | 128 or 256 GB | Both phones offer the same storage capacity options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Stereo Speakers | S21 will have a better audio experience with Dolby Atmos, noise canceling microphone, and stereo speakers. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | TCL offers a convenient and fast side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The S21 provides basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | The S21 has more sensors making it suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, and AMOLED technology resulting in a far sharper, vibrant display with better outdoor visibility.
- Powerful Performance: Much faster processor and GPU, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and better gaming capabilities.
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto lens with optical zoom, a wide-angle lens, higher quality image sensors, superior video recording capabilities (up to 8K), and more advanced features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and RAW image capture.
- Premium Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, Dolby Atmos audio, more accurate GPS, and more advanced sensors.
Better Build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection for better durability.
Practical Implications: The S21 is much more capable of handling demanding tasks, delivers a superior media consumption experience, takes significantly better photos and videos, offers a more premium user experience overall, and is more durable.
TCL 40 SE Advantages:
- Larger Display: A larger screen, which some users will prefer for media consumption and gaming.
- Larger Battery: Significantly bigger battery capacity, offering longer battery life.
- Newer OS: Android 13 out of the box.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and potentially faster fingerprint recognition.
Depth and Macro Cameras: Dedicated macro and depth cameras for more versatile photography.
Practical Implications: The TCL offers a more immersive display and longer battery life. Its macro and depth cameras are suitable for casual photographers. It might be more appealing to users who prioritize battery life over performance and image quality.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- S21: Significantly shorter battery life compared to the TCL 40 SE, higher price.
- TCL 40 SE: Noticeably lower performance, inferior display, and significantly lower camera quality compared to the S21.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal Users:
- Power users who need fast performance for multitasking and gaming.
- Photography enthusiasts who want a versatile camera system with high-quality images and video.
- Users who value a premium display for media consumption and prefer a compact, high quality device.
- Users who appreciate advanced features like wireless charging and good audio.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming
- Capturing professional-looking photos and videos
- Watching movies and TV shows with high picture quality
- Demanding productivity tasks
- Users who prioritize performance and display quality
- Price-to-Value: While it may be more expensive, it offers significantly superior features and performance.
TCL 40 SE:
- Ideal Users:
- Users on a tighter budget who prioritize battery life over all else.
- Casual users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and social media.
- Users who prefer a larger display for media consumption.
- Users who want convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Users who want a basic set of camera features including depth and macro.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Long days away from a charger
- Casual social media browsing and media consumption
- Basic photography needs
- Everyday use for communication and basic tasks
- Price-to-Value: More affordable, focuses on delivering essential features and longer battery life, good value for budget-conscious users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The S21 is likely to be more expensive.
- How important is battery life? The TCL is a clear winner in this category.
- What are your performance requirements? The S21 will offer a much faster and more responsive experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance & Camera: If performance and camera quality are top priorities, and budget is less of a concern, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget & Battery Life: If you are on a tight budget and need a phone that can last a long time on a single charge, the TCL 40 SE is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Performance: If you need a balanced device and want a good display, a decent camera, good performance and do not require exceptional battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a better option, despite the higher price.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the TCL 40 SE has a larger battery and screen, the S21's superior display quality, significantly faster performance, and much better camera system are more important to me. As someone who uses my phone for a variety of tasks, from gaming and content consumption to photography, the S21's capabilities make it the more compelling option despite its shorter battery life. I value responsiveness and a crisp display. I'm willing to prioritize these aspects over the extended battery life of the TCL 40 SE. Additionally, the S21's advanced camera features like optical zoom and 8K video are a significant draw, and the inclusion of wireless charging is another feature that I find convenient. While the price will likely be higher and the battery may not last as long, the overall user experience on the S21 is much more refined, making it worth the investment for my needs.
