1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 173 × 77 × 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 7 is larger and bulkier; S21+ is more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 200g | 239g | S21+ is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. ROG Phone 7 might feel heavy over long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offer immersive viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Both offer sharp, detailed images. Slight difference is not noticeable in daily usage. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Virtually identical pixel density, resulting in similar sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 7 offers a noticeably smoother visual experience, especially during fast-paced gaming or scrolling. S21+ is still very smooth. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1500 nits | ROG Phone 7 is better suited for outdoor visibility, particularly in bright sunlight. Both are good in typical settings. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 7's chipset is significantly faster and more efficient, leading to better performance in demanding tasks and gaming. S21+ is still capable for daily use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,603,292 | ROG Phone 7 demonstrates drastically higher performance, translating to quicker app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | ROG Phone 7's GPU offers significantly better graphics performance, especially for graphically intensive applications and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | ROG Phone 7 has higher resolution & a slightly larger sensor; S21+ has wider aperture which can be better for low light. The ROG Phone 7 will likely produce more detailed photos. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" Samsung S5KGW2 | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom, which ROG Phone 7 lacks, giving S21+ better zoom capability. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" Sony IMX374 | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C | ROG Phone 7 has higher resolution, leading to more detailed selfies, however S21+ has wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX563 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Omnivision OV13B10 | The ROG Phone 7 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for better capturing expansive scenes. S21+ wide angle doubles as a macro. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Samsung S5K5E9 | ROG Phone 7 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K @24fps, 4K @60fps with HDR/EIS | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with HDR/EIS | Both offer 8K & 4K recording, but S21+ has optical image stabilization. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 (Mobile) | Not Available | S21+'s camera quality is rated by DXOMark, indicating very good quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 7 has a much larger battery, promising significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 65W | ROG Phone 7 charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, No charge in-box | Bypass Charging, USB power adapter (65-Watt) / 30-watt in India, 10W reverse wired | ROG Phone 7 includes a charger and bypass charging for gamers, whereas S21+ offers wireless charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 13, upgradable to 15 | ROG Phone 7 starts with a newer Android version, although both will receive the same final version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | ROG Phone 7 supports the latest WiFi standard, enabling faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | ROG Phone 7 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering more efficient power consumption and better audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | ROG Phone 7 supports more satellite systems leading to potentially higher accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM | S21+ offers eSIM for more flexibility, while ROG Phone 7 is dual physical SIM only. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256/512GB | ROG Phone 7 offers more storage options for media and apps. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8/12/16GB | ROG Phone 7 offers a much larger RAM option for heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | DTS/DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 mics | Both have good audio. ROG Phone 7 is tuned for gamers offering potentially better surround sound, audio separation, and voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Basic biometric security is offered by both phones. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both phones offer the same screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21+ has an additional Barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Wireless Charging: Offers more convenient charging options with 15W wireless charging.
- Optical Zoom: Dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities.
- Barometer Sensor: Useful for tracking altitude and atmospheric pressure changes, beneficial for outdoor enthusiasts.
- eSIM Support: More flexible SIM options for international travelers or those managing multiple lines.
- Optical Image Stabilization: Better image and video stabilization.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster chipset and GPU for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother visuals with 165Hz refresh rate.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Much quicker recharge times.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Better suited for heavy multitasking and large files.
- Dedicated Gaming Features: Bypass charging while gaming, enhanced audio, AirTriggers, and more features aimed at gamers.
- Latest WiFi Standard: Future-proof WiFi for faster speeds.
- Additional Cameras: Has a wide-angle lens, and a macro lens for more versatile photography.
- Newer Android OS: Comes with Android 13 out-of-the-box.
- Enhanced Audio: DTS/DTS X audio for superior surround sound, audio separation, and voice capture.
Trade-offs:
- S21+ trades some raw performance for a more compact design, and includes wireless charging.
- ROG Phone 7 is bulky and heavy, trading ease of use for top tier performance and gaming features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- General User: Someone who wants a premium phone with a good all-around experience.
- Casual Photographers: Those who appreciate a good camera system with telephoto and wide-angle capabilities.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: Prefer a lighter, more compact phone for daily use.
- Travelers: Users that need eSIM support.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, social media, and communication.
- Taking photos and videos on the go, including zoomed-in shots.
- Light gaming and media consumption.
- Users that want wireless charging
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who prioritize performance, smooth visuals, and gaming features.
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks like video editing or multitasking.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Need a phone that can easily last all day.
- Users Prioritizing Audio Quality: Want high-fidelity audio.
Use Cases:
- Heavy gaming, including graphically intensive titles.
- Multitasking with many apps open.
- Consuming high-resolution media.
- All-day use without needing to recharge often.
- Recording high-quality audio.
Price-to-Value:
- S21+ is likely to be more budget friendly.
- ROG Phone 7 is the premium gaming phone, therefore costs more, but has better value for gaming-specific uses.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your primary use case? Is it gaming, photography, or general daily use?
- How important is battery life and fast charging? Do you need all-day battery and quick recharges?
- How important is portability vs. raw performance? Do you prefer a lighter phone, or are you okay with a larger one for better performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer:
- Recommendation: Asus ROG Phone 7. Its superior performance, display, battery life, and gaming features make it the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: General User, Light Gaming:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. It provides good performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, and is easier to handle.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focused User with light Gaming:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. It offers a versatile camera system, even if the ROG has slightly better specs on paper.
- Scenario 4: Power User Needing Long Battery & Fast Charging:
- Recommendation: Asus ROG Phone 7. It provides the best performance, long battery life, and fast charging.
My Choice
I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 7. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has its strengths, such as a more compact design and wireless charging, the ROG Phone 7 offers a superior experience in several key areas that align more with my preferences. I prioritize performance, especially for demanding tasks and gaming. The significant upgrade in the chipset, GPU, RAM, and refresh rate makes the ROG Phone 7 a more compelling device for my usage. Additionally, the much larger battery and faster charging are significant advantages, ensuring I don't have to worry about running out of power during a busy day. While it's bulkier and heavier, the performance and added gaming-centric features make it worth the trade-off for me.
