1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 170.5 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm | S21+ is more compact and slimmer, making it easier to handle. Moto G51 is taller and thicker, which might feel bulkier in pocket. |
| Weight | 200g | 208g | S21+ is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable during long periods of holding the phone. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Virtually identical display sizes. Difference is negligible. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer similar screen sharpness. |
| PPI | 394 | 387 | Nearly identical sharpness, pixel density difference not noticeable by the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has richer colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, and improved power efficiency for dark themes, offering a superior viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have smooth scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight due to its higher brightness. Moto G51 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 480+ (8 nm) | S21+ has a much faster chipset, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 381,000 | S21+ demonstrates significantly better overall performance based on benchmark scores. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 619 | S21+ offers superior graphics processing for demanding tasks like gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | Moto G51 has a marginally larger battery, potentially leading to slightly longer usage time between charges. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 10W fast charging | S21+ charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse | None | S21+ supports wireless charging, reverse charging, and lacks a charger in the box. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | Moto G51 has higher megapixel count, but S21+ has a larger sensor, which generally captures more light and better detail. |
| Telephoto + Port. | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | S21+ offers dedicated telephoto zoom for portraits and zoomed shots. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 13MP, f/2.2 | Moto G51 has a slightly higher megapixel count for selfies, but pixel size is marginally smaller. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP | Moto G51 allows for capturing wider scenes, which S21+ lacks. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | Moto G51 offers a dedicated macro lens to capture close up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21+ offers an ultrawide lens with macro capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 8K, HDR, EIS, Stereo | Up to 1080p, Stereo | S21+ has superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolution and advanced features. |
| DXOMark | 111 (Mobile) | Not Available | S21+ camera is rated for its overall performance, including photo and video quality, while Moto G51 is not listed for comparison. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | Android 11, Upgradable to 12 | S21+ will receive more OS upgrades providing a longer support period. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | S21+ supports faster Wi-Fi standards, which may result in improved network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Moto G51 has slightly newer Bluetooth, but S21+ has more advanced audio features. |
| GPS | GPS(L1+L5) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | S21+ has more satellite system support, which may offer better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, eSIM | Dual SIM | S21+ supports eSIM, which offers more flexibility with carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB | S21+ offers higher storage options, providing more space for files, apps, and media. |
| RAM | 8GB | 4GB/8GB | S21+ offers a standard 8GB of RAM which is good for multitasking and gaming. Moto G51 offers 4 GB or 8GB. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, limiting the total amount of storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo | Dolby Atmos | S21+ provides higher quality audio output, with additional features like stereo speakers for enhanced immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Motorola offers more convenient unlocking method. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ is more durable and scratch-resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Compass, Barometer | None | S21+ includes additional sensors useful for navigation and environmental data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel offers richer colors, deeper blacks, better contrast and higher brightness making it significantly better for outdoor use and overall viewing.
- Much Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides significantly faster processing power for smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: The S21+ offers a more versatile camera system with a telephoto lens, better standard sensor, higher video resolution up to 8K, and significantly better photo and video scores.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging is much faster compared to Moto G51's 10W charging, reducing charging times.
- Wireless Charging: The S21+ supports convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio support and stereo speakers provide superior audio quality and immersive experiences.
- Longer Software Support: It's guaranteed to receive more OS upgrades compared to the Motorola.
- eSIM Support: Offers more flexible options for carrier switching and dual SIM management.
- More Sensors: Includes a compass and barometer, useful for navigation, and additional environmental data.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: Offers marginally longer battery life due to its larger capacity.
- Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers a more diverse camera setup with dedicated macro and wide angle lenses.
- Newer Bluetooth: Slightly newer version offering marginal efficiency gains and minor speed.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Reader: Considered by some to be a more convenient way to unlock the phone
- Potentially Lower Price: Typically cheaper, making it a budget-friendly option.
Trade-offs:
- S21+ trade-off: Higher price, lack of charger in box, no expandable storage.
- Moto G51 trade-off: Significantly lower performance, inferior display quality, less versatile camera, slower charging, and fewer advanced features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need fast performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize high-quality display, excellent audio, and advanced video capabilities.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value advanced camera features, including telephoto zoom, and high-resolution video.
- Travelers: Users who need fast charging, wireless charging, and robust GPS functionality with additional environmental sensors.
- Users who prioritize longevity: Users who want to have long term phone support with the latest android versions.
Specific Use Cases for S21+:
- Mobile Gaming: Demanding games will run smoother and look better on the S21+ thanks to its superior GPU and display.
- Content Creation: The higher video recording capabilities, including 8K, and a more versatile camera system are ideal for users who want to create high-quality videos and photos.
- Outdoor Use: The brighter AMOLED display makes it easier to view the phone in direct sunlight.
- Professional Use: The performance, storage and fast charging make the phone suitable for on-the-go professionals.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who are looking for a smartphone at a lower price point.
- Casual Users: Those who use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calls.
- Users needing wide-angle and macro lens: Users who frequently take photos that require these lenses.
- Users who do not need high level performance: Users who are happy with basic performance.
Specific Use Cases for Moto G51 5G:
- Basic Smartphone Tasks: Good for handling daily tasks and communication, such as browsing, social media, and calls.
- Casual Photography: The wide-angle and macro lens offer extra functionality, suitable for casual photography.
- Long Battery Life: Offers slightly better battery capacity for users that need a phone to last all day without needing charging.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21+ offers premium features and high performance, justifying its price for users who value these aspects.
- The Moto G51 provides a more budget-friendly option with decent features for basic use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider Before Buying:
- What is your primary use case for the phone? (Gaming, photography, basic use, multimedia)
- What is your budget?
- How important is display quality and performance for you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (High Performance & Multimedia): If you value top-tier performance for demanding tasks, need a superior display for media consumption, and enjoy photography, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear winner, despite its higher price.
- Scenario 2 (Budget-Conscious & Basic Use): If you're on a budget and primarily need a phone for basic tasks, don't care too much about display quality, high-end performance, the Motorola Moto G51 5G is a more economical option.
- Scenario 3 (Versatile Camera with Budget): If you want an affordable phone with diverse lenses, but dont need high quality video and photo quality the Motorola Moto G51 5G might be preferable for its dedicated wide and macro lenses.
- Scenario 4 (Future Proofing): If you want a phone that is more future-proof with more OS updates the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G would be a much better option than the Motorola.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would definitively pick the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. The significantly better performance, superior AMOLED display with high brightness, more versatile camera system (including telephoto lens and higher video resolution), and faster charging are crucial for my usage patterns. As a regular user of demanding apps and games, and someone who consumes media content regularly, the S21+ is a much better fit. While it is more expensive, the performance and display quality justifies the higher cost. The lack of expandable storage is a downside, but I can manage my files to work around that limitation. The additional benefits such as wireless charging, eSIM, and extended software support also make the phone more future-proof and versatile for my daily needs.
