Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Infinix Hot 12 Play
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Infinix Hot 12 Play | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 171 × 78 × 8.9 mm | S21+ is smaller and thinner, making it more pocketable and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 200g | 209g | S21+ is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.82" | Infinix has a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | S21+ has a much sharper display; text and images are clearer. |
| PPI | 394 | 259 | S21+ provides noticeably clearer images and less pixelation |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has superior color accuracy, contrast, and deeper blacks, as well as better visibility in sunlight, leading to a richer viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ is much easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight. Infinix brightness is not provided, which can indicate a much lower brightness compared to the S21+. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G37 (12 nm) | S21+ is significantly faster and more efficient, leading to smoother performance for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 168,500 | S21+ provides a much faster experience, superior for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | PowerVR GE8320 | S21+ has a significantly more powerful GPU for better graphics performance in games and other applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 6000mAh | Infinix has a larger battery, likely leading to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 10W fast charging | S21+ charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | None | S21+ offers more convenient charging options (wireless and reverse). Infinix does not include the charger in box. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 13MP, f/1.8, 1.12µm | S21+ has a larger sensor with larger pixels, likely better low-light performance. Infinix has a negligibly higher megapixel count. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait photos. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | None | S21+ captures wider scenes and macro shots with better quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 8MP | S21+ captures higher resolution selfies with potentially better quality. |
| Portrait (Depth) Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Infinix has a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced bokeh effect. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21+ records significantly higher resolution video for professional-grade content creation. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 111 | Not Tested | S21+ has been professionally rated with a high score indicating a great camera, the Infinix does not have any rating. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Optical Zoom, RAW, Night Mode | Basic Features | S21+ has advanced camera features such as optical stabilization, optical zoom, and RAW capture capabilities, while Infinix has only the basic features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 11 | S21+ receives more software updates including the newest version of Android |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | S21+ supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, leading to faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 with advanced features | 5.0 with basic features | S21+ has more comprehensive Bluetooth profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS | S21+ supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | S21+ offers eSIM for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256 GB | 64GB or 128GB | S21+ offers more storage capacity, particularly the 256 GB variant |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | S21+ has more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | S21+ has superior audio quality with advanced features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | In-display Fingerprint Sensor | Rear-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both have fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ has more durable screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | S21+ includes a gyroscope and barometer, useful for certain apps and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness delivers a significantly better viewing experience.
- Much Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers dramatically faster performance in benchmarks and real-world tasks like gaming and app loading.
- Advanced Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens, a wide-angle lens, higher-resolution selfie camera, optical image stabilization (OIS), higher resolution video recording, resulting in better photos and videos overall.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Offers fast wired charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
- More Connectivity Features: Supports Wi-Fi 6, more Bluetooth profiles, and multiple satellite navigation systems for improved performance.
- Superior Audio Quality: Features Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, and stereo speakers for a richer listening experience.
- Better Build Quality: Includes Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection and also offers additional sensors.
- More RAM and Storage: Offers more memory for smoother multitasking and more storage for apps and data.
Infinix Hot 12 Play Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 6000mAh battery potentially provides significantly longer battery life, especially for extended usage away from a charger.
- Lower Price: Infinix phones usually come at a lower price point.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Provides a dedicated sensor for bokeh effect in portrait photos.
Trade-offs
- S21+: Higher price, slightly smaller battery capacity, no expandable storage
- Infinix: Lower overall performance, lower screen quality, less sophisticated camera system, slower charging, and less durable build quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who need high performance for gaming, multitasking, or demanding apps.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Those who value a superior display for watching videos, editing photos, and other media consumption.
- Photography and Videography Users: Those who need a versatile camera system for capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
- Users Who Want A Smooth and Seamless Experience Those that prefer a fast and responsive software experience and premium features.
Specific Use Cases:
- High-end gaming, 4K video recording and editing, professional-level photography, immersive media consumption, and productivity.
Infinix Hot 12 Play Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability and value long battery life over top-tier performance.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calling.
- Users Who Value Battery Life: Those who need a phone that can last for an extended period without charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- Long-lasting battery for extended use without a charger, basic web browsing and social media use, making calls, and basic camera use.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers a higher price-to-value ratio for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a premium experience.
- The Infinix Hot 12 Play is better for users who want the lowest price and have basic usage needs, such as battery life, without caring too much about performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? (The S21+ is likely much more expensive than the Infinix Hot 12 Play)
- How important are performance and camera quality to me? (S21+ is much better in this aspect)
- How important is battery life to me? (Infinix is significantly better)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance User: If you play demanding games, edit photos/videos, or need a fast and responsive phone, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User: If you prioritize affordability and basic use with long battery life, the Infinix Hot 12 Play may be a more practical option.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Enthusiast: If you primarily watch videos and consume media, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers a superior display experience.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Although the Infinix Hot 12 Play has a larger battery, the S21+ simply offers a vastly superior experience in all other important aspects, including a superior display with a higher resolution, refresh rate and brightness, significantly more powerful chipset for better performance, a versatile camera system for higher quality pictures and videos, faster charging and wireless options, more connectivity features, superior audio quality, enhanced build quality and more RAM. Although the S21+ is likely to be a much more expensive phone, the overall premium experience is worth the added cost, making it a better choice for my needs and preferences as a power user and multimedia enthusiast. I would rather have a device that excels in performance and camera, even if I need to charge it more often, than a device that is slow and struggles to handle everyday tasks.
