1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-01-24 | Motorola is almost 2 years newer, benefiting from more recent software/hardware improvements |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 162.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm | S21+ is slightly thinner but G13 is a bit narrower. Overall, very similar size. |
| Weight | 200g | 183.5g | G13 is lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | S21+ has slightly more screen real estate for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | S21+ is much sharper, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 394 | 270 | S21+ has significantly higher pixel density, making the display look crisper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Unspecified) | S21+ is much brighter, easily viewable in direct sunlight. G13 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) | S21+ has much faster processor, leading to quicker app loads, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 225,154 | S21+ has vastly superior benchmark performance, translating to real world speed and responsiveness |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G52 MC2 | S21+ has a significantly more powerful GPU, enabling better gaming and graphics performance |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | G13 has higher megapixel count, potentially more detail in good lighting. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP (S21+) | None (G13) | S21+ has a telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 8MP | S21+ captures more detailed selfies |
| Selfie Aperture | f/2.2 (S21+) | f/2.0 (G13) | G13 selfie camera may perform marginally better in low light. |
| Portrait Camera | None (S21+) | 2MP (G13) | G13 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Camera | None (S21+) | 2MP (G13) | G13 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP (S21+) | None (G13) | S21+ has a dedicated ultrawide lens for landscape and group photos |
| Video Resolution | 8K @24fps (S21+) | 1080p @30fps (G13) | S21+ can record much higher resolution video, suitable for professional use. |
| DxOMark | 111 (S21+) | Not Tested (G13) | S21+ is tested by DxOMark, indicating the camera quality; G13 performance is unknown. |
| Camera Features | More (S21+) | Fewer (G13) | S21+ offers advanced options like OIS, optical zoom, 4K and 8K recording, RAW capture and night mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | G13 has a slightly larger battery, potentially better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W (S21+) | 20W (G13) | S21+ charges faster, reducing downtime |
| Charging Features | Wireless & Reverse (S21+) | None (G13) | S21+ offers convenient wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices. |
| Other | |||
| OS | Android 11 (S21+) | Android 13 (G13) | G13 has newer Android version, likely more up to date with latest features and security updates. S21+ is upgradable to Android 15 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (S21+) | Wi-Fi 5 (G13) | S21+ supports newer WiFi standard, better speeds, lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (S21+) | 5.1 (G13) | G13 has slightly newer Bluetooth version, potentially more stable and efficient. |
| GPS | L1+L5 (S21+) | L1 (G13) | S21+ provides more accurate location tracking via dual-band GPS |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM (S21+) | Nano SIM (G13) | S21+ has eSIM support, convenient for dual-SIM users |
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB (S21+) | 64/128GB (G13) | S21+ has larger storage options, more space for apps and media. |
| RAM | 8GB (S21+) | 4GB (G13) | S21+ has significantly more RAM, smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No (Both) | No (Both) | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | Hi-Res, Noise Cancelling (S21+) | Stereo Speakers (G13) | S21+ offers advanced audio features for higher quality audio output and clearer calls. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic (S21+) | Side-mounted (G13) | G13 has a more convenient fingerprint sensor placement and likely faster. |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus (S21+) | Unknown (G13) | S21+ has a more durable screen protection, reducing risk of scratches. |
| Sensors | Barometer (S21+) | Basic (G13) | S21+ features more sensors useful in niche use cases. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, AMOLED technology, and brightness for an exceptional visual experience.
- Much Better Performance: Significantly more powerful processor and GPU, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto lens, 8K video recording, optical image stabilization (OIS), and more versatile features for higher-quality photography and videography.
- Fast Charging and Wireless Features: Faster charging speed, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- Enhanced Audio: Hi-Res Audio and noise-canceling microphone for superior sound quality.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and advanced GPS features for faster and more reliable wireless connections.
Motorola Moto G13 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched almost two years later with a newer Android version.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery, potentially longer battery life.
- Dedicated Depth & Macro Cameras: Dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode and macro lens for close-up shots.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint: More ergonomically placed fingerprint sensor.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Potentially better Bluetooth stability and efficiency.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21+ offers a significantly better display, performance, and camera system, but is older.
- The G13 is newer and has a slightly larger battery and different camera capabilities, but compromises on display quality, overall performance, and advanced features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Users who prioritize performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with high-quality video recording and optical zoom.
- Media Consumers: Users who value a high-quality display for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
- Users Who Want Future-Proofing: Upgradable to Android 15, better processing power for app compatibility.
Users willing to sacrifice battery life: The S21+ might not offer long battery life, and this user is willing to charge more frequently.
Specific Use Cases:
- High-end gaming on maximum graphics settings.
- Capturing high-quality photos and 4K/8K video for professional or social media use.
- Watching high-resolution movies and shows.
- Multitasking with multiple apps seamlessly.
Motorola Moto G13 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users who want a functional smartphone at an affordable price.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, social media, and web browsing.
- Users who want long battery life: The Moto G13's larger battery combined with a lower-powered processor and screen is likely to result in much better battery performance.
Users who prefer a more ergonomic fingerprint sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is easy to reach and provides quick access.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday use for social media, web browsing, and messaging.
- Basic mobile photography, mainly in good lighting conditions.
- Watching videos at 720p resolution.
- Long battery life for extended periods away from a charger.
- Occasional close-up shots using the macro lens.
Price-to-Value: The price of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is likely higher, but it offers more premium features and significantly better performance. The Motorola Moto G13 offers better value for those on a tight budget, but comes with significant trade-offs in performance and display quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The S21+ is likely more expensive, making the G13 the obvious choice for budget-conscious buyers.
- How important is performance and display quality? If you value a smooth and sharp display experience and need power for gaming or heavy tasks, the S21+ is the better choice.
- What are my camera needs? If you need high quality video, optical zoom, and a versatile camera system, the S21+ wins. The G13 offers a macro lens and higher MP primary sensor for close-ups and bright light photos.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gaming & Media Consumption: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its superior performance and display quality.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious & Everyday Use: Choose the Motorola Moto G13 for its lower price point and functional design.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focused (High Quality): Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its versatile and feature-rich camera system.
- Scenario 4: Long Battery Life: Choose the Motorola Moto G13 for its larger battery and efficient performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Although it's an older device, the sheer difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities far outweighs the benefits of a newer, but much weaker, phone like the Moto G13. I value the AMOLED display's deep blacks and vibrant colors, the powerful Exynos 2100 chipset for smooth performance, and the versatile camera system. While the Moto G13 offers slightly better battery life and a newer OS, those don't make up for the gaps in all other key areas. The S21+ remains relevant due to its flagship-level specs, even after being launched earlier. While its battery life may not be class-leading anymore, the other features are of far greater value to me. The availability of wireless charging, an excellent display, and high-quality camera options make it a far superior option despite being older.
