1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-07-27 | The ZTE is significantly newer, likely having more up-to-date software and potentially more long-term support. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm | The ZTE is noticeably larger, impacting one-handed use and pocketability. The Samsung is more compact. |
| Weight | 169g | 228g | The Samsung is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods. The ZTE is heavier and could feel cumbersome. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.8" | The ZTE provides a more immersive viewing experience, better for media consumption and gaming. The Samsung is more suitable for those who prefer a smaller form factor. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | The ZTE has a sharper display, leading to crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 452 | The ZTE's slightly higher PPI translates to a marginally sharper display experience, though the difference is not dramatic. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations for enhanced user experience |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | The ZTE is brighter, offering better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | The ZTE's chipset is significantly more powerful, providing faster processing, better multitasking, and improved gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,579,720 | The ZTE has significantly higher performance, translating to smoother performance and quicker app loading, especially in demanding scenarios like gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | The ZTE's GPU is much more powerful, delivering better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5100mAh | The ZTE should offer significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W | 80W | The ZTE charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, No charger in-box | Non-removable | The Samsung offers more battery features, including wireless and reverse wireless charging, but charger not included. The ZTE prioritizes fast wired charging and longer battery life. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 54MP | The ZTE captures more detailed photos, with higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | The ZTE has a wider aperture, performing better in low light conditions. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.49" | The ZTE has a larger sensor, capturing more light, resulting in better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Resolution | 64MP | 8MP | The Samsung has a higher resolution telephoto lens. |
| Telephoto Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.4 | The Samsung telephoto has wider aperture, performing better in low light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 16MP | The ZTE captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.5 | The Samsung selfie camera has wider aperture, performing better in low light conditions. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | None | 50MP | The ZTE offers a dedicated ultrawide lens, useful for landscape and group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 12.2MP | None | The Samsung has a dedicated macro lens, useful for close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4k@120fps | Both phones record high-quality video, though the ZTE has a higher framerate in 4k. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 111 | Not Available | The Samsung has an official score, while the ZTE doesn't. This gives an indication of the real world image quality the S21 can provide. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 132 | Not Available | The Samsung has an official score, while the ZTE doesn't. This gives an indication of the real world selfie quality the S21 can provide. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, HDR, Night Mode | OIS, PDAF, HDR, Night Mode, Gimbal | The ZTE camera has a gimball feature, which is great for video recording. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 13 | The ZTE comes with a newer version of Android, with long-term update support being unknown. The S21 has update support up to version 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | The ZTE has a more modern Wi-Fi standard, providing faster speeds and improved performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | The ZTE has a more modern Bluetooth version, offering improved reliability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The ZTE has better satellite coverage for improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 256GB/1024GB | The ZTE offers more storage options, including a 1TB option for those who need lots of space. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB/16GB | The ZTE provides more RAM for better multitasking and smoother performance with RAM-intensive applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so choosing a model with sufficient storage is essential. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | The Samsung offers Dolby Atmos and noise cancellation for superior audio quality. The ZTE offers DTS X support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Samsung has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor | The Samsung has a more comprehensive sensor suite including a barometer, while ZTE offers a virtual proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More compact and lighter: Easier to handle and pocket, better for one-handed use.
- Wireless charging and reverse charging: Adds convenience for users with wireless charging accessories or those needing to charge other devices.
- Superior screen protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, providing better protection against scratches and damage.
- More complete sensor suite: Includes a Barometer and Hall sensor.
- Official Camera Scores: Provides a good indication of the real world capabilities of the cameras.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Significantly more powerful processor and GPU: Provides much faster overall performance, ideal for demanding tasks like gaming.
- Larger and higher-resolution display: More immersive viewing experience, better for media and gaming.
- Larger battery and faster charging: Longer battery life and less time plugged in.
- Higher resolution main camera with better low-light performance: Captures more detailed photos and performs better in challenging lighting conditions.
- Dedicated wide-angle lens: More versatile photography options.
- Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Standards: Faster transfer rates.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Better multitasking and more space for files.
- Gimbal: Provides good video stabilization.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung S21 sacrifices performance, battery life, and screen size for a more compact form factor and wireless charging.
- The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is larger and heavier, while lacking some of the Samsung's additional features like wireless charging and superior screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a compact, lightweight phone with a high-quality display and decent all-round performance. Good for those who enjoy the convenience of wireless charging and need a robust screen.
- Use Cases: Daily use, browsing, light gaming, content consumption. Suitable for users who value portability and convenience.
- Price-to-Value: Offers decent performance at a good price, with added wireless charging features.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who demand top-tier performance, a large immersive display, and excellent battery life. Good for gamers, power users, and media consumers.
- Use Cases: Heavy gaming, multitasking, video editing, media creation, photography, and users who need a phone that will last all day.
- Price-to-Value: Offers top performance and features at an attractive price, if you don't need wireless charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is portability? If you need a compact phone for easy one-handed use and pocketability, the Samsung S21 is preferable.
- How important is raw performance? If you need the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear choice.
- Do you need wireless charging? If this is a must have, you need the S21.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a casual user who primarily uses their phone for social media, browsing, and light gaming, and you want the smaller form factor. The Samsung S21 will be suitable.
- Scenario 2: You are a heavy mobile gamer or a power user who needs the best performance. The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the better choice for you, due to its superior performance.
- Scenario 3: You are a photographer who wants a good camera and also needs wireless charging, but portability is also a concern. The Samsung S21 will be better.
- Scenario 4: You want a phone with excellent battery life, fast charging and a large screen for watching videos. The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is a great choice.
What I Would Choose and Why
I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. While I appreciate the compact size and wireless charging capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S21, the ZTE offers a much more compelling package for my needs. The significantly superior performance, larger and sharper display, and substantially improved battery life of the ZTE outweigh the advantages of the S21. As someone who enjoys mobile gaming and multitasking, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset would provide a much better and more fluid user experience. The lack of wireless charging is a minor inconvenience compared to the massive leap in performance and battery capacity. The addition of a wide angle lens and gimbal video stabilization, and an up to date version of Android also pushes the ZTE ahead for me. The price-to-value ratio of the ZTE, given its high performance, makes it a very attractive option for me.
