1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and Motorola Moto G34, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 162.7 × 74.6 × 8 mm | The Moto G34 is slightly taller and thicker, but negligible in daily use. Width is almost the same |
| Weight | 200g | 179g | The Moto G34 is noticeably lighter, which makes it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around |
| Build | Unknown | Unknown |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | Slightly larger screen on the S21+ makes it better for media consumption, gaming and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | The S21+ has significantly sharper visuals, leading to clearer text, more detailed images, and overall better viewing experience |
| PPI | 394 | 270 | The S21+ has a much sharper display, with details and text looking much clearer |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The AMOLED on the S21+ offers deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast, enhancing the viewing experience, particularly for darker content. It also provides better power efficiency for dark UI. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | The S21+ is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight conditions. The Moto G34 brightness is missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The S21+ offers much better performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 424,100 | The S21+ demonstrates superior overall performance based on benchmark scores, translating into faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 619 | S21+ provides much more power for graphics-intensive tasks, resulting in better gaming and graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm | While the G34 has higher resolution, the S21+ sensor with larger pixels might offer better low-light performance. However the S21+ sensor is a Sony IMX555 and that means good picture quality. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | The S21+ offers optical zoom capabilities for closer shots without quality loss |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | None | The S21+ can capture broader scenes, useful for landscapes and group photos |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The G34 allows for close-up shots of small subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 16MP | The G34 has slightly higher resolution for selfies. The S21+ has a Sony IMX374 sensor, which means good picture quality. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21+ provides higher resolution video recording, making it more suitable for professional video shooting |
| Video Stabilization | Yes, EIS | No | The S21+ provides better video stabilization compared to the Moto G34. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 | Not Available | The S21+ performs well in photos and videos, based on DXOMark scores |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical Zoom, OIS, Night Mode | Digital Zoom, Laser AF | The S21+ has additional features such as optical zoom, OIS, and night mode. The Moto G34 has Laser autofocus (LAF), which is a practical feature. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | The G34's slightly larger battery may provide a bit more usage time. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | The S21+ charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse Wireless Charging | None | S21+ offers wireless charging and reverse charging, more flexibility for daily use |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness, offering significantly better visual quality and outdoor visibility.
- Higher Performance: Significantly more powerful chipset and GPU for better gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Advanced Camera System: Better quality photos, telephoto zoom, and wide angle camera with 8K video recording and superior video stabilization.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Provides convenient charging options not present in the Motorola G34.
- Better Audio Quality: Offers high-resolution audio playback and noise cancelling microphone.
- eSIM: Supports eSIM, providing more flexibility for digital carrier switching.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Has additional sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming.
- Better Screen Protection: Features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which offers significantly better screen protection against scratches and cracks.
- Video Stabilisation: Better video stabilisation for smoother videos.
Motorola Moto G34 Advantages:
- Lighter Build: Easier to hold and carry for extended periods.
- Slightly Larger Battery: A marginal advantage in battery capacity may lead to slightly longer usage.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with a newer version of Android out of the box.
- Macro Lens: Includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Laser Autofocus: LAF helps with faster focus when taking photos.
- More recent: Launched almost 2 years after the S21+.
Trade-offs:
- S21+: Higher price point
- G34: Lower display resolution, weaker performance, lacks advanced camera features and wireless charging, screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is ideal for:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile cameras with good low light performance, optical zoom and high-resolution video.
- Media Consumers: People who prioritize high-quality displays for watching videos and movies.
- Travelers: Users who want good quality cameras and a more versatile phone.
- Users that need a good all-rounder phone: Provides superior quality in all important areas, such as display, performance, camera.
Motorola Moto G34 is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals looking for an affordable phone with decent performance for daily tasks.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic communication, social media, and browsing.
- Users that prefer lightweight devices: Users who value a comfortable, lightweight device.
- Users that do not require the best performance: Suitable for users that do not require the best performance for the latest apps or games.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21+: Gaming (high frame rate), professional photography and videography, outdoor use in bright conditions, using advanced sensors for enhanced features and gaming, multitasking between many apps
- G34: General browsing, social media, basic gaming, close-up shots of small subjects, prolonged usage without hand strain.
Price-to-Value:
- The S21+ offers premium features and performance, thus, it is more expensive.
- The G34 is a more budget-friendly device that targets the mid-range market with decent performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Ask:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, basic use)
- How important is display quality and outdoor visibility?
- What is your budget?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance & Premium Experience:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. If budget allows, the S21+ delivers a superior experience in all aspects.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious with Basic Needs:
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G34. If budget is a primary concern, the G34 offers good value for general use and is lighter.
- Scenario 3: Balanced experience with some key features
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. The display is noticeably better and that's a key factor for a good user experience.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While it's an older model, it still offers a significantly better user experience due to its superior display, notably higher performance, a more versatile camera system, better quality audio and additional features such as wireless charging. The enhanced quality of the display is what makes the difference as well as the power of the phone overall for most use cases. Although the Motorola Moto G34 is newer, it lacks the premium feel and performance that the S21+ provides. The S21+ screen and camera are significantly better. The practical implications for me include better outdoor visibility, smoother gaming, higher video quality and more versatile photography. It's also important to me to have a phone that supports wireless charging. While the Motorola Moto G34 is a good option for budget-conscious users with basic needs, the Galaxy S21+ provides a more well-rounded premium user experience.
