1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | The ROG Phone 5 is noticeably larger and thicker, making the S21+ 5G more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 200g | 238g | The S21+ 5G is significantly lighter, enhancing comfort during prolonged use. The ROG Phone 5's extra weight can be fatiguing. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphone builds, no foldable functionality |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size; both provide large viewing areas for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Virtually identical sharpness; both offer crisp visuals. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Both have very similar pixel density, leading to comparable sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display technology, guaranteeing vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The ROG Phone 5 offers a slightly smoother visual experience, particularly in fast-paced games and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21+ 5G is dramatically brighter making it significantly better for outdoor use under bright sunlight. (The 0 nits value for ROG Phone 5 is likely a data error) |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | The Snapdragon 888 in the ROG Phone 5 generally offers slightly better performance than the Exynos 2100 in the S21+ 5G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 883,000 | The ROG Phone 5 is faster in benchmarks, indicating smoother performance in demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | The Adreno 660 in the ROG Phone 5 typically provides better gaming performance compared to the Mali-G78 in the S21+ 5G. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76") | 64MP (f/1.8, 1/1.7") | The ROG Phone 5's higher resolution sensor captures more detail in good lighting, while both have a comparable aperture and sensor size. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP (f/2.0, 1/1.72") | None | The S21+ 5G offers greater versatility with its dedicated telephoto lens for zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP (f/2.2, 1/3.2") | 24MP (f/2.45, 1/2.8") | The ROG Phone 5 offers higher resolution selfies, while the S21+ has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better in low-light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP (f/2.5) | The ROG Phone 5 allows for wider landscape and group shots with its dedicated ultrawide lens. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP (f/2.0) | The ROG Phone 5 has a dedicated macro lens for extreme close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP (f/2.2, 1/2.55") | None | S21+ offers more versatile shooting capabilities, while ROG Phone 5 does not offer wide + macro combined |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer similar high-resolution video capabilities, but S21+ has superior video stabilization tech. ROG offers 4k@120 which is useful for high refresh rate video content. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 (Photo: 118, Video: 89) | None | The S21+ 5G's camera system performs well according to DXOMark, although it may not reflect user preference |
| Camera Features | OIS, Continuous AF, RAW | No OIS | S21+ provides better stabilization, continuous focus, and RAW capture for more flexibility in photo editing. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 6000mAh | The ROG Phone 5's significantly larger battery can provide much longer battery life, especially for gaming and heavy usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The ROG Phone 5 charges much faster, reducing downtime and enabling quick top-ups. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse, No Charge in-box | Bypass, Reverse Charging | The S21+ 5G offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, while the ROG Phone 5 features bypass charging for sustained gaming performance while plugged in. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | The S21+ 5G offers longer software support, guaranteeing more features and security updates over time. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual band | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO, Dual band | Both offer fast Wi-Fi, while the ROG Phone 5 has MiMO for improved network performance and range. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | The ROG Phone 5 has a newer Bluetooth version for improved connection stability and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, NavIC | ROG Phone 5 has greater satellite support offering superior location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | The S21+ 5G offers eSIM for digital carrier switching and using two SIMs simultaneously. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | The ROG Phone 5 offers the option for a larger 512GB storage variant, which is very useful for large media libraries and games. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB/18GB | The ROG Phone 5 offers higher RAM variants, which is essential for serious gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, limiting storage options. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 4 mics | ROG Phone 5 has superior audio features, better surround sound, better voice capture, and clearer calls. S21+ provides quality audio experiences, but for gaming audio ROG is better |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have standard fingerprint sensors, providing basic biometric security. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 6 | The S21+ 5G has superior screen protection which is less likely to scratch and break on drops. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | S21+ has additional environmental sensors such as barometer and geomagnetic which can be helpful for more precise navigation and outdoor data collection. ROG phone focuses purely on motion and proximity data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages
- Brighter Display: The S21+ 5G has a significantly brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- More Versatile Camera: It offers a dedicated telephoto camera, continuous autofocus, RAW photo capture, and better video stabilization for superior versatility and flexibility.
- Wireless Charging: Supports both wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM functionality for digital carrier switching.
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for prolonged use and one-handed operation.
- Better Screen Protection: Offers Gorilla Glass Victus for superior protection against drops and scratches.
- Better OS Support: Offers 3 additional android system upgrades vs ROG's 1 extra OS upgrade.
Practical Implications: The S21+ 5G is a more versatile and practical phone for everyday use. Its superior display, cameras, and wireless charging make it ideal for media consumption, photography, and general productivity.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages
- Higher Performance: Faster processor, better GPU, and higher AnTuTu scores for a more responsive experience in demanding applications and games.
- Larger Battery: Offers substantially longer battery life, especially during intense gaming.
- Faster Charging: Supports 65W fast charging for quicker battery replenishment.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Slightly smoother visual experience thanks to a 144Hz display.
- More RAM Options: Available in configurations with more RAM for demanding tasks and gaming.
- More Storage Options: Available with up to 512GB of storage for storing lots of high-res games and media.
- Enhanced Audio: Has DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, 4 mics for high-quality audio and better voice pickup.
- Superior Location Accuracy: Has more satellite support for better GPS location accuracy.
Practical Implications: The ROG Phone 5 is designed for gamers, offering superior performance, extended battery life, and enhanced audio capabilities. Its faster charging, higher refresh rate, and customizable features provide a more immersive gaming experience.
Trade-offs
- S21+ 5G: Sacrifices raw performance, battery life, and audio quality for a more versatile camera system, wireless charging, and better screen protection
- ROG Phone 5: Prioritizes gaming performance, battery and audio quality but with a bulkier design, a less versatile camera system, and no wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users
- Casual photographers: Users who want a good camera system with zoom capabilities for everyday photos and videos.
- Media consumers: Those who prioritize a bright, vivid display and want good quality audio
- General productivity users: People who want a reliable phone for everyday tasks, social media, and communication, with wireless charging capabilities.
- Users looking for a more pocketable device: Individuals who value portability and comfort in a smartphone.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Watching movies and videos outdoors.
- Using the phone for navigation and work tasks.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Ideal Users
- Mobile gamers: Users who want the best performance and a responsive experience for playing demanding mobile games.
- Heavy multitaskers: People who run multiple apps and perform intensive tasks simultaneously.
- Power users: Individuals who require maximum battery life and fast charging.
- Audio Enthusiasts Users who want a high-fidelity audio experience with superior voice capture.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphic-intensive games with high frame rates.
- Streaming and recording gameplay with high quality audio.
- Working with large spreadsheets, video editing, and other demanding tasks on the go.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The S21+ 5G is often found at a lower price point than the ROG Phone 5, making it a good option for users seeking a premium experience at a reasonable price.
- The ROG Phone 5, while more expensive, provides a performance edge and premium gaming features, which justify the higher price for gamers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is my primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, productivity, casual use).
- How much do I prioritize battery life and performance vs camera and portability?
- What features are essential to me? (e.g., wireless charging, high refresh rate, expandable storage, superior cameras)
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Casual User/Photographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. It offers a more versatile camera system, a brighter display, wireless charging, and a lighter design.
Scenario 2: Hardcore Mobile Gamer: Choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. It provides superior performance, a larger battery, faster charging, and enhanced audio, catering to the needs of serious gamers.
Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. It provides great value with a premium experience at a competitive price compared to the ROG phone.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
While the Asus ROG Phone 5 offers superior gaming performance and battery life, my needs are more aligned with the S21+ 5G's strengths. As a user, I value a versatile camera system, a bright display for outdoor use, wireless charging convenience, and a more manageable size and weight. While I enjoy some mobile gaming, it is not my primary use case; I would benefit more from the superior camera features and more pocketable form factor of the S21+ 5G. The added benefit of longer software support is also a factor, ensuring that the phone remains up-to-date for an extended period of time. The trade-off in gaming performance is acceptable for my usage patterns, making the S21+ 5G a more well-rounded choice for me. The better display brightness also factors in my day-to-day routine, making viewing content under sunlight far superior. While the ROG is the better gaming phone, the S21+ is the better general use smartphone.
