Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Apple iPhone 15
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm | The S21+ 5G is noticeably larger and wider, making it feel bulkier in hand and less pocketable. The iPhone 15 is more compact and easier to handle with one hand. Both have same thickness. |
| Weight | 200g | 171g | The iPhone 15 is significantly lighter, leading to better comfort during extended use. The S21+ 5G might feel heavy after prolonged periods. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown (screen) | The S21+ 5G has known superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | The S21+ 5G offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. The iPhone 15 is more compact, better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1179x2556 | The iPhone 15 provides a sharper display due to higher resolution. Text and images will appear slightly clearer. |
| PPI | 394 | 461 | The iPhone 15 has noticeably higher pixel density, leading to crisper images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use excellent display technologies with vibrant colors and deep blacks. Differences are minor. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The S21+ 5G screen is smoother, especially noticeable in animations, gaming, and scrolling. The iPhone 15 might feel less fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2000 nits | The iPhone 15 is significantly brighter outdoors, making it much more readable in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | The A16 Bionic in the iPhone 15 offers significantly faster and more efficient processing. The iPhone will handle demanding apps with more ease and smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,470,000 | The iPhone 15 scores substantially higher, indicating superior overall performance, faster app launching, and better multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Apple GPU (5-core) | The Apple GPU provides superior graphical performance, better for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 48MP | The iPhone 15 captures significantly more detail, especially in good lighting. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | The wider aperture of iPhone 15 allows more light into the sensor, enhancing low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.5" | The iPhone 15 has a larger sensor, improving overall image quality and light sensitivity. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP (f/2.0) | Not present | The S21+ 5G offers dedicated telephoto capabilities. The iPhone 15 relies on digital zoom which can result in a loss of quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/1.9) | The iPhone 15 selfie camera captures more detail and performs better in low-light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 12.2MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.4) | The S21+ 5G has a slightly wider aperture on its ultrawide camera, potentially resulting in slightly better low-light performance for this specific lens. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 111 | 145 | The iPhone 15 has a significantly better camera in terms of photo and video performance |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The S21+ 5G allows recording 8K video, while the iPhone is limited to 4K but has higher scores in video quality (DXOMark) |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, 8K video, Digital Image Stabilization, Optical Zoom | Dual Camera, Cinematic Mode, Pro Video Mode | S21+ 5G excels with 8K recording and a dedicated telephoto lens. iPhone 15 features better overall quality and additional tools like Cinematic mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 3877mAh | The S21+ 5G has a larger battery, which should lead to better battery life for daily use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | The S21+ 5G charges slightly faster with its higher wattage charger. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 15W Wireless Charging, 4.5W Reverse Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe Wireless Charging, 7.5W Qi Wireless Charging | The S21+ 5G offers reverse charging capabilities to charge other devices. The iPhone 15 uses MagSafe for wireless charging convenience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: Offers a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming, suitable for users who prefer a large screen.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Provides a smoother visual experience, particularly noticeable during scrolling and gaming.
- Larger Battery: Should offer better battery life, crucial for users who are frequently away from power outlets.
- Telephoto Camera: Offers dedicated optical zoom capabilities, beneficial for users who often need to zoom in on subjects, as well as good portrait photos.
- 8K Video Recording: Allows recording in ultra-high resolution, beneficial for content creators.
- Reverse Charging: Enables you to charge other devices wirelessly using the phone, a convenient additional feature.
- More RAM: 8GB RAM enables smoother multitasking and faster performance of multiple apps simultaneously.
- Better GPS Support: Has more support for satellite systems, resulting in more accurate location tracking.
Apple iPhone 15 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A16 Bionic chip provides significantly faster processing and smoother overall performance.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a more detailed and clear viewing experience.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Offers much better outdoor visibility, perfect for sunny environments.
- Superior Main Camera: The 48MP sensor with a wider aperture captures more detailed photos, especially in low light.
- Better Camera Overall: Achieves a much better DXOMark score, indicating an all around superior camera performance.
- Lighter and More Compact: The smaller and lighter design makes the phone much more comfortable to hold and easier to carry around.
- More Storage Options: Offers a 512 GB version for users needing more storage.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports Bluetooth 5.3 for more efficient connectivity.
- Superior Video Quality: Achieves a much better video score in DXOMark tests.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Sacrifices some processing power and display sharpness for a larger screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and better battery life.
- Apple iPhone 15: Forgoes dedicated telephoto zoom and 8K recording for higher processing power, brighter display, and better camera quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a large screen for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Users who prefer a smoother display experience due to 120Hz refresh rate.
- Users who need a long-lasting battery.
- Users who like dedicated telephoto zoom lens.
- Users who occasionally need to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Android users comfortable with the Android ecosystem.
Apple iPhone 15 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize top-tier performance and speed.
- Users who want a great camera, especially in low-light conditions.
- Users who often use their phone outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Users who prefer a more compact and lightweight design.
- Users who are immersed in the Apple ecosystem.
- Users who value video quality over high video resolutions like 8K.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Ideal for watching movies, playing games, handling work-related tasks on the go, and recording high resolution videos.
- Apple iPhone 15: Excels in daily use, capturing high-quality photos and videos, multitasking, and mobile gaming. It's the perfect phone for individuals looking for a compact device, that is powerful and reliable.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 15 has a higher price point due to its top-tier performance and superior camera capabilities.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers a good set of features at a more affordable price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What do you value most in a phone display: Do you prefer a large, smoother (120hz refresh rate) screen for media consumption (S21+ 5G) or a sharper, brighter, more compact one (iPhone 15)?
- Is performance or battery life more crucial: Are you doing a lot of resource intensive tasks and thus want a phone with a high processing power (iPhone 15) or do you need a long lasting battery (S21+ 5G)?
- What are your camera priorities: Do you prefer a dedicated telephoto zoom and ultra high video resolutions such as 8k (S21+ 5G) or do you prefer overall superior photo/video quality and additional video features (iPhone 15)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious User): If you need a good balance of features, a larger screen, a great battery life and a dedicated telephoto lens at a lower price, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the more cost-effective choice.
- Scenario 2 (Performance Seeker): If you prioritize the best possible performance, camera quality, and a display that excels in bright sunlight, the Apple iPhone 15 is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3 (Apple Ecosystem User): If you are already invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer iOS, the Apple iPhone 15 is the natural choice.
- Scenario 4 (Android Enthusiast): If you prefer Android and its customization capabilities and want a versatile all around phone, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a great fit.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Apple iPhone 15. While the Samsung S21+ 5G has a larger screen and a few niche features, the iPhone 15's significantly superior performance, camera quality (especially in low light), and brighter display are more crucial for my daily use. I also find the iPhone 15's more compact design to be more comfortable for everyday handling. The integration with the iOS ecosystem is also a plus for me. Although the S21+ 5G has a telephoto lens, the iPhone's main camera is so much better that I wouldn't miss it. The only drawback is the 60Hz refresh rate, but the advantages of the iPhone 15 outweight this for me.
