1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-07-13 | The ROG Phone 6 is a newer model, benefiting from more recent technology. |
| Size | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 173 × 77 × 10.3 mm | The ROG Phone 6 is significantly larger and thicker, making the S21+ more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 200g | 239g | The S21+ is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Minimal difference in size; both offer a large viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Negligible difference in sharpness, both displays are very crisp. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Virtually identical pixel density, both displays will look sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | The ROG Phone 6 offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | The S21+ will be slightly more readable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,203,000 | The ROG Phone 6 offers substantially higher performance, especially useful for intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | The Adreno 730 in the ROG Phone 6 offers superior graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 6000mAh | The ROG Phone 6 provides significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W Fast | 65W Fast | The ROG Phone 6 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 4.5W | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging 10W | The S21+ has wireless charging. The ROG 6 has bypass charging, letting it run directly off the power adapter when gaming, reducing battery wear. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 12MP f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP f/1.9, 1/1.56" | The ROG Phone 6’s main sensor captures more detail and potentially better low-light images with its larger sensor. |
| Telephoto | 64MP f/2.0 | N/A | The S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which the ROG Phone 6 lacks. |
| Selfie | 10MP f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 12MP f/2.0, 1/2.93" | The ROG Phone 6 has a better front-facing camera with a slightly larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 13MP f/2.2 | The ROG Phone 6 offers a dedicated wide angle lens, allowing for more versatile photos. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP f/2.4 | The ROG Phone 6 includes a dedicated macro lens, enabling close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2 | N/A | The S21+ has a wide-angle camera that can also do macro shots, offering a different form of versatility than the ROG Phone 6. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer high-resolution video recording capabilities, with the ROG Phone 6 adding 4k@120fps for smoother footage. |
| DxoMark | 111 (Mobile) | Not Available | The S21+ has a measured camera score, while the ROG Phone 6 hasn't been rated. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Up to 15) | Android 12 (Up to 13) | The ROG Phone 6 ships with a newer version of Android, but the S21+ is slated to have a later max Android Version |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6, WiFi MiMO | ROG Phone 6 has advanced WiFi technology, allowing for better connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | ROG Phone 6 has the newer bluetooth standard, potentially having better battery efficiency and connection stability. |
| GPS | L1+L5, E1+E5a | L1+L5, B1, B2, E1+E5a, NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 6 has more comprehensive GPS satellite support, offering improved location accuracy in areas with limited GPS coverage. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano+Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano+Nano) | S21+ offers an eSim. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | The ROG Phone 6 offers more internal storage options, which is crucial for large games, video files and other media. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12/16 GB | The ROG Phone 6 offers more RAM options, improving performance for demanding tasks and multi-tasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | DTS/DTS:X, Hi-Res Audio, 4 microphones | ROG Phone 6 offers more microphones and DTS/DTS:X support, allowing for better and more immersive audio. The S21+ uses Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have very durable glass screens. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21+ has Barometer for atmospheric pressure sensing, which the ROG Phone 6 lacks. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The S21+ is significantly lighter and slimmer, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and easier to carry.
- Slightly Brighter Display: The 100 nits of additional brightness can be helpful in very bright outdoor conditions.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging, an advantage for users with compatible charging pads.
- eSIM Support: Allows for greater flexibility in carrier management, especially for international travelers.
- Telephoto Camera: Includes a dedicated telephoto camera, offering better zoom capabilities and optical portrait shots.
- Barometer Sensor: Includes a barometer sensor for environmental pressure tracking.
- Higher Max Android Version: Planned to get up to Android 15 while the ROG phone is slated for up to Android 13.
Asus ROG Phone 6 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides a significantly higher benchmark score and overall faster performance.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 165Hz display offers an exceptionally smooth experience, especially beneficial for gaming.
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery provides much longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging greatly reduces downtime.
- Better Standard Camera: Main camera with better sensor, capturing better quality images.
- Additional Cameras: Dedicated wide-angle and macro lens offer a greater variety of photography options.
- More RAM Options: Offers 12GB and 16GB of RAM, essential for serious multi-tasking and gaming.
- More Storage Options: Offers up to 512GB of storage, critical for large games and media collections.
- Bypass charging: Allows the user to draw power directly from the wall while plugged in which reduces battery wear.
- More GPS Options: More GPS options provide more accurate location data.
- Better Audio Quality: Enhanced surround sound and clearer voice capture from extra microphones and DTS:X.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ trades raw performance and battery life for a more compact and lightweight design with wireless charging.
- The ROG Phone 6 prioritizes performance and gaming, which comes at the cost of increased size and weight and the omission of wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- General Users: Everyday users who prioritize a balance of good performance, good cameras, and a sleek design.
- Photo Enthusiasts: Users who frequently capture photos and want the versatility of a telephoto lens.
- Travelers: Users who value the option of using an eSIM and want a lighter, easier-to-carry device.
- Wireless Charging Fans: People who like the convenience of wireless charging and want a device that includes the capability.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Daily Commute: Easy to carry and use on the go for navigation, emails and social media.
- Casual Photography: Capturing photos of family, friends, and landscapes with the ability to zoom effectively.
- Video Calls: Smooth performance for clear and reliable video calls.
- Multimedia Consumption: Enjoying videos, social media and websites.
Ideal Users for Asus ROG Phone 6:
- Hardcore Gamers: Users who need top-tier performance, high refresh rate, extended battery life, and advanced cooling features.
- Power Users: Users who heavily multitask, edit photos or videos, and need a device that can handle intensive tasks.
- Media Consumers: Users who want the best possible audio experience from their device.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a variety of lenses on their phone to capture all types of pictures.
Specific Use Cases for Asus ROG Phone 6:
- Competitive Gaming: Playing demanding games with maximum settings and high frame rates.
- Mobile Content Creation: Editing photos, videos, and other content on the go.
- Long Gaming Sessions: Play for extended periods of time without needing to recharge.
- Immersive audio experiences: Enjoy audio from games, movies and music with the use of DTS:X.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21+ is a good all-arounder, but is somewhat older, it might offer good value for those looking for a premium Samsung experience at a potentially lower price.
- The ROG Phone 6 is a premium gaming phone and it is unlikely to be cheap, but it provides unmatched performance for those who need it.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Needs: Do you need maximum performance for gaming and intensive tasks, or is a balanced performance sufficient?
- Portability and Battery: Do you prioritize a lighter, more compact design or longer battery life for all-day use?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need a telephoto camera and prefer better DxoMark results or do you need more camera lens options.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler & Social Media Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
- Reasoning: The S21+ offers a lighter design, eSIM, wireless charging, and a balanced camera setup with an optical zoom that would be better for capturing travel photos.
- Scenario 2: Hardcore Gamer & Multimedia Consumer:
- Recommendation: Asus ROG Phone 6.
- Reasoning: The ROG Phone 6 provides superior performance, a higher refresh rate, longer battery life, bypass charging, better audio and more camera lenses.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User with Basic Needs:
- Recommendation: Depending on price points, both could be suitable. The S21+ provides great value, but a more up-to-date phone may be prefered. The ROG phone 6 is unlikely to be the best budget-friendly choice.
- Reasoning: If the S21+ offers a lower price than the ROG Phone 6, it could be a suitable option.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would personally choose the Asus ROG Phone 6.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a competent phone with good features, my preference is swayed by the superior performance, gaming features, and longer battery life offered by the ROG Phone 6. As someone who values smooth and responsive performance, I'm willing to trade the compact form factor and the wireless charging of the S21+ for the ROG Phone 6's advantages. The ROG Phone 6's dedicated gaming features like the higher refresh rate and bypass charging, along with the advanced audio setup and more camera lenses would make it a better choice for my specific needs. While it is bulkier, that is not as much of a concern for me.
