Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. vivo X100 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-11-21 | vivo X100 Pro is significantly newer, benefiting from newer technologies. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 164.1 × 75.3 × 8.9 mm | vivo X100 Pro is larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 169g | 221g | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.78" | vivo X100 Pro offers a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and better multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | vivo X100 Pro has a noticeably sharper display with higher pixel density and image detail. |
| PPI | 421 | 452 | vivo X100 Pro has slightly sharper text and images, though the difference might not be noticeable to everyone. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 3000 nits | vivo X100 Pro is significantly brighter and easier to see under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9300 (4 nm) | vivo X100 Pro's newer chipset results in significantly faster processing, app loading, and better efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,881,325 | vivo X100 Pro offers a vastly superior performance and is better for demanding applications and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | vivo X100 Pro's GPU provides better graphics performance in games and other graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5400mAh | vivo X100 Pro has a larger battery and will likely last much longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | vivo X100 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Charging Features | Wireless 15W, Reverse wireless 4.5W, No in-box charger | Wireless 50W | vivo X100 Pro has significantly faster wireless charging. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers reverse wireless charging but no charger in-box. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | vivo X100 Pro captures much more detail, enabling larger prints and cropping. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1" | vivo X100 Pro's larger sensor captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 32MP | vivo X100 Pro captures higher detail in selfies and enables larger prints or cropping. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | vivo X100 Pro has a wider aperture, better low-light performance, and background separation |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 64MP | None | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP | vivo X100 Pro has an additional ultra-wide lens for landscape and group photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 12.2MP | None | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G can take wide-angle and macro shots. |
| Telephoto + Macro Camera | None | 50MP | vivo X100 Pro has a dedicated telephoto macro camera |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both phones offer excellent video recording, but the vivo X100 Pro has a higher frame rate in 8k. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 150 | vivo X100 Pro has a much better overall camera performance. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 132 | Not tested | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has good selfie camera performance based on DXOMark. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 15 | Android 14, up to 15 | vivo X100 Pro ships with a much newer Android version, while both will likely receive the same number of future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | vivo X100 Pro uses the newer WiFi standard resulting in faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | vivo X100 Pro supports newer Bluetooth features, resulting in better battery efficiency and connection speeds. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | vivo X100 Pro supports more satellite systems, offering potentially higher accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | vivo X100 Pro offers the option of eSIM for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB, 512GB, or 1024 GB | vivo X100 Pro offers more storage options and a significantly larger capacity if needed. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | vivo X100 Pro has significantly more RAM, leading to better multitasking and faster performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Both have great audio capabilities but with different features; Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a noise-canceling microphone while the vivo X100 Pro has hi-res audio for music. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has known superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G also offers a Barometer, while vivo X100 Pro offers Gravity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More pocketable and comfortable for extended use.
- Known Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides a measure of added screen protection.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Offers the ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Telephoto + Portrait and Wide Angle + Macro Lens: Versatile camera options for zoom and macro photography.
vivo X100 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: Superior chipset and more RAM for smooth performance, app loading, and gaming.
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, brighter screen for better media consumption and visibility in sunlight.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Much longer battery life and faster charging, greatly reducing downtime.
- Better Camera Performance: Larger sensor, higher resolution, and overall better image quality as demonstrated by DXOMark scores.
- Newer OS and Connectivity: Ships with a newer version of Android, as well as newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more reliable connections.
- eSIM Support: Allows for digital carrier switching, which is helpful for international travelers.
- More Storage Options: Larger storage capacities, up to 1TB of storage.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: The vivo X100 Pro is larger and heavier, making it less comfortable to carry and use for some users.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G screen protection: Lack of known screen protection may make the Vivo X100 Pro more prone to damage if dropped.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G missing in-box charger
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a lightweight and pocketable phone.
- Those who value established brand recognition and a user-friendly interface.
- Individuals who need the ability to reverse wireless charge.
- Users who are okay with a good camera performance but do not need a top-of-the-line camera.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication, social media, and basic productivity.
- Users who take a lot of zoom photos and macro photos.
- Those who want a phone that can fit easily into a pocket or purse.
vivo X100 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who want the best possible performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts who want top-tier camera quality.
- Users who prioritize a long battery life and fast charging.
- Those who are fine with a larger and heavier phone, as well as having no known screen protection.
- Those who value a newer and advanced phone.
Use Cases:
- High-performance gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Photography and videography, especially in low-light conditions.
- Frequent travelers or users who need all-day battery life.
- Users who prefer a larger screen for media consumption and productivity.
- Users who need the option of using an eSIM.
Price-to-Value:
The vivo X100 Pro is generally a higher-priced phone compared to the older Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. However, the massive upgrades in performance, camera, battery, and display may justify the increased price for those who need its strengths. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is available at a lower price but compromises in many areas.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my priority: Performance or Portability? If performance is crucial and you prefer the best display, camera, and battery life, the vivo X100 Pro is the choice. If the size and weight of the phone is a higher priority, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is better.
- How important is the camera? If you're looking for the absolute best camera performance and don't mind the increased size, the vivo X100 Pro excels in camera. If you are fine with good photos, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G works well.
- What is my budget? The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is likely available at a lower price point, making it a budget-friendly option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Casual User: If you're a casual user who mainly uses the phone for basic tasks, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a good choice due to the lower price point. The vivo X100 Pro might be overkill.
- Gaming Enthusiast/Power User: If you're a gamer or a power user who needs top performance, the vivo X100 Pro is the clear choice, with its powerful chipset and display.
- Photography Enthusiast: If you prioritize camera quality and versatility, the vivo X100 Pro has the better sensor, higher resolution, and overall performance based on DXOMark.
- Traveler: If you travel often and need great battery life, the vivo X100 Pro excels, plus eSIM support is a bonus.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the vivo X100 Pro. Despite its larger size and weight, the leap in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, battery life, and modern connectivity are too significant to ignore. As someone who values a responsive user experience, top-notch photography, and all-day battery life, the vivo X100 Pro aligns better with my priorities. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a good phone, the vivo X100 Pro is a considerable step up in many areas, and I believe the advantages outweigh the trade-offs. The significantly superior camera performance, the incredibly fast charging, and the larger display are the biggest draws for me.
