1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 168.2 × 75.5 × 8.1 mm | The TCL 50 SE is noticeably larger and bulkier, potentially harder to handle with one hand. The S21 is more compact. |
| Weight | 169g | 195g | The S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and pocket-friendly. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.78" | The TCL 50 SE offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking; however, it might be less comfortable in smaller hands. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Minimal difference; both provide a sharp viewing experience; differences are barely noticeable. |
| PPI | 421 | 396 | The S21 has a slightly sharper display; text and images might appear a bit clearer, but it's a subtle difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The S21 offers deeper blacks, superior contrast, more vibrant colors and better power efficiency in dark mode for a superior overall visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The S21 offers smoother scrolling and animations; the difference may be noticed during gaming and fast scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 900 nits | The S21 is significantly brighter and more readable in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | The S21’s chipset offers vastly superior performance, smoother multitasking, faster app loading and much better gaming capabilities; The Helio G88 is a budget chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 250,000 | The S21 is significantly faster in everyday use, gaming and demanding tasks. It scores almost 3 times higher in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The S21's GPU offers better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm (Sony IMX555) | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm | The TCL 50 SE has a higher megapixel count, but sensor size and pixel size are different; The S21 usually has better image quality due to better sensor and image processing. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm (Samsung Bright S5KGW2) | N/A | S21 has better zoom capabilities with a dedicated Telephoto lens and should also have better portrait shots. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm (Sony IMX374) | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | S21's selfie camera offers slightly higher resolution; TCL50SE has a brighter aperture. Both offer decent quality but the S21 usually takes better photos. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | TCL 50 SE offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm (Sony IMX563) | N/A | S21 offers a dedicated Wide Angle lens, useful for landscape and group photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps | The S21 supports much higher video recording resolutions and offers stabilization for higher quality videos. The TCL 50SE only shoots 1080p. |
| DxoMark | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | Not Tested | S21 scored decently on DxoMark; not possible to compare as TCL has no score. |
| Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, RAW, Night Mode, 4K & 8K Video | Dual Camera | The S21 offers more features that are more useful; The S21 has better quality zoom, more options and much better image quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5010mAh | The TCL 50 SE has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life between charges; however, it will depend on the usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The TCL 50 SE charges faster. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, Reverse Wireless Charging | N/A | S21 has Wireless and Reverse Wireless charging, which are useful. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 14 | TCL 50SE has a newer OS. Samsung users have the experience of OS upgrades. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | S21 supports a newer standard and should offer faster speeds and better performance with compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 with aptX, multiple profiles | 5.1 with EDR | TCL has slightly a newer bluetooth, but S21 has more profiles for more compatibility. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | S21 has dual-band GPS for greater precision in GPS tracking, especially in urban or complex environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM cards, which allow users to manage multiple lines and carriers. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both phones offer the same internal storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 4GB/6GB | S21 has more RAM. This will translate to better multitasking performance and overall faster operation. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external memory cards. Users must choose the configuration accordingly. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | The S21 offers enhanced audio, including improved spatial audio, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted | TCL has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint reader. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The S21 uses superior screen protection. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Comprehensive | Basic | The S21 offers a more complete suite of sensors, especially useful for advanced features, augmented reality apps, and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits brightness provides better visuals and outdoor visibility.
- Much Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset is significantly more powerful, enabling smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Better Camera System: Offers a more versatile camera setup with a telephoto lens, better video recording, and more features.
- Premium Build & Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, better protection, advanced audio, and more advanced GPS.
Practical Implications: The S21 is more suited for demanding users who require high performance, superior visual quality and a better camera system. It’s suitable for gaming, media consumption and professional use cases.
TCL 50 SE Advantages
- Larger Display: Offers a bigger screen for immersive media consumption and is preferable for those who like large screens.
- Larger Battery: The 5010mAh battery potentially offers longer battery life, especially if one is not a heavy user.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is faster than the S21's 25W charging.
- More updated Android: Comes with Android 14.
- Cheaper price: Usually the TCL 50 SE can be found cheaper than a used or refurbished S21.
Practical Implications: The TCL 50 SE is more suited for users who prioritize a big display, longer battery life, and a lower price. It is suitable for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and watching videos.
Significant Trade-offs
- S21: The S21 lacks a macro lens and has a smaller battery capacity than the TCL 50 SE. It also might not be the best value for money for some users.
- TCL 50 SE: The TCL 50 SE has a significantly less powerful chipset, a lower-quality display, and a less versatile camera system compared to the S21.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal Users
- Power Users: Users who require high processing power for gaming, video editing, or heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a capable and versatile camera system with a telephoto lens.
- Media Consumers: Users who value high-quality displays with excellent color accuracy, contrast and brightness for watching content.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who prefer a phone with more advanced features, like wireless charging, and a more powerful chipset.
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional photography/videography
- Mobile gaming
- Demanding applications and multitasking
- Frequent use in bright sunlight
TCL 50 SE Ideal Users
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a reliable phone at a lower price point.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like social media, web browsing, and watching videos.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users who need longer battery life and faster charging.
- Users Preferring Larger Displays: Users who like a big screen.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing and social media
- Watching videos and movies
- Basic mobile gaming
- Longer battery life for extended use
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The S21 will likely be more expensive but offers a premium experience with a better display, camera, and chipset. While it might be more expensive it does offer much more and can be better value for some people.
- The TCL 50 SE is a more budget-friendly option providing good value for basic tasks and is better suited to those looking for long battery life and a larger screen on a budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider
What is your primary use case for a smartphone?
- Gaming/performance or basic tasks?
How important is display quality and brightness to you?
- AMOLED with higher brightness vs. a larger IPS LCD?
What is your budget?
- A slightly more expensive option or the more budget friendly choice?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Gaming and heavy multitasking
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the clear choice. Its superior chipset and GPU can handle demanding tasks and games.
Scenario 2: Watching videos and browsing social media
- Recommendation: The TCL 50 SE will be adequate for this use case, with its larger screen and longer battery life. However, the S21 offers a much better viewing experience.
Scenario 3: Photography and videography
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G due to the telephoto lens, better image processing, video recording and added features.
Scenario 4: Limited budget and need for long battery life
- Recommendation: The TCL 50 SE is a good budget option if you are not a demanding user.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. The superior display, significantly better performance, more versatile camera system, and premium features outweigh the slightly smaller battery and lack of a macro lens for my usage pattern. While the TCL 50 SE has a larger screen and longer battery, I value a smoother and more responsive experience with a better screen. In addition, the enhanced photo capabilities make the S21 more aligned with my needs. Although the S21 is an older device, its superior components, especially the chipset and display, make it a better choice overall for me, especially considering a used device can be found at similar prices to a brand new TCL 50 SE.
