1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm | S21+ is slightly taller and wider, ThinkPhone is slightly thicker. Marginal differences in hand feel. |
| Weight | 200g | 188.5g | ThinkPhone is slightly lighter, may feel less fatiguing during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | S21+ has a marginally larger screen, likely imperceptible to most users. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both provide a clear image. |
| PPI | 394 | 399 | Negligible difference in pixel density; both look sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Similar high-quality display technology, both offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone offers smoother scrolling and animations, particularly noticeable in fast-paced content and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1200 nits | S21+ has higher peak brightness, offering better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ThinkPhone's Snapdragon offers significantly better performance, faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,232,700 | ThinkPhone demonstrates a substantial performance advantage in benchmark tests, translating to faster overall performance in real world usage. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | ThinkPhone's GPU is significantly more powerful; resulting in better gaming performance and graphics intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", OmniVision OV50A, 1.00µm | ThinkPhone has a much higher resolution sensor and a slightly larger sensor size which will generally lead to more detailed pictures. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", Samsung S5KGW2 | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374, 1.22µm | 32MP, f/2.45 | ThinkPhone captures higher resolution selfies, while the S21+ has a slightly wider aperture (but no details on sensor). |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | ThinkPhone has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait effects. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.40µm | 13MP, f/2.4 | ThinkPhone offers slightly higher wide-angle resolution and S21+ has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Similar video recording capabilities; both are capable of capturing high-resolution videos with stabilization. |
| DXOMARK Score | Mobile: 111 (Photo 118, Video 89) | None | S21+ camera has been tested by DXOMARK; indicates good overall performance but no score for ThinkPhone. |
| Camera Features | Continuous AF, manual focus, night mode | None | S21+ has more advanced camera features compared to ThinkPhone. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | ThinkPhone has slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 68W | ThinkPhone charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, No Charger | 15W Wireless | S21+ offers more wireless charging versatility, but does not include a charger. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 13 | ThinkPhone comes with a more recent version of Android out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6, MiMO | Both support fast WiFi; ThinkPhone has extra antenna technology to improve signal and speed. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | ThinkPhone has a newer Bluetooth version for potentially better efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, SUPL | S21+ supports more GPS bands offering slightly more precise location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM | S21+ has eSIM support for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256GB | 256 GB | ThinkPhone comes with more internal storage than the base S21+. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | Both phones have 8GB of RAM, suitable for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither support external memory cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise Cancellation Mic, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Mics | S21+ offers more audio features including Hi-Res audio and noise cancellation on the mic. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both use a standard fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Similar protection for both screens. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | S21+ has an additional Compass and Barometer, which is useful for specific applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- More versatile Camera system: Dedicated Telephoto lens, resulting in better optical zoom.
- Brighter Display: 100 nits higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- More GPS Bands: More GPS bands mean slightly better location accuracy.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM functionality for flexibility with digital carriers.
- More Audio Features: Hi-Res audio playback and Noise cancellation microphone.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can wirelessly charge other devices.
- More Camera Features: Has continuous autofocus, manual focus, night mode in it's camera setup
Practical Implications: The S21+ is better for users who need a full range of camera features, prioritize outdoor visibility, require high-fidelity audio, or need to charge accessories wirelessly.
Motorola ThinkPhone Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for smoother performance and better gaming.
- Faster Charging: 68W charging allows for much quicker battery refills.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 144Hz refresh rate provides smoother visuals, particularly noticeable in gaming and scrolling.
- Larger Standard Camera Sensor: Higher resolution and larger sensor for improved photo quality.
- More Current OS: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
- Wi-Fi MiMO: Improved wireless signal quality and transfer speeds
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2 for potentially more efficient connections
Practical Implications: The ThinkPhone excels for users who value speed, performance, and a smoother visual experience. It's better for mobile gamers, heavy multitaskers, and those who want to charge their phone quickly.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ has a more versatile camera system with a telephoto lens, while the ThinkPhone prioritizes the quality of its main sensor
- The S21+ offers reverse wireless charging, while the ThinkPhone charges faster.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Photography enthusiasts who want a versatile zoom lens and good camera features, users who need high outdoor visibility, audiophiles who value Hi-Res sound, users invested in the Samsung ecosystem, or those who want the convenience of reverse wireless charging.
- Use Cases: Capturing a variety of shots using the different lenses, taking photos in bright sunlight, enjoying high-quality music or podcasts, needing to wirelessly charge accessories on the go.
- Price-to-Value: May offer better value for users who heavily use the camera, since it has the additional telephoto lens and features, or those that prefer Samsung's One UI. The S21+ may be more cost-effective, especially if found at a discount, as it is an older model.
Motorola ThinkPhone:
- Ideal User: Power users who need top-tier performance for gaming or heavy multitasking, users who want a smoother visual experience, and users who need rapid charging.
- Use Cases: Playing graphics-intensive mobile games, working with demanding applications, browsing fast-moving content, needing to charge quickly between meetings, benefiting from an up-to-date version of Android.
- Price-to-Value: Offers very high performance for the cost, excellent value for those that prioritize speed, smoothness, and battery charging speed. The ThinkPhone offers value to the user that prioritizes a modern, high-performing device without overspending.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Priority: Do you prioritize overall speed and gaming performance (ThinkPhone), or a versatile camera and audio experience (S21+)?
- Camera Needs: Do you need a telephoto lens for optical zoom (S21+) or do you prefer the higher detail and wider sensor on the main camera of the ThinkPhone?
- Charging Habits: Do you prefer the convenience of wireless charging, particularly reverse wireless charging (S21+), or the speed of rapid wired charging (ThinkPhone)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Mobile Gamer: Choose the ThinkPhone for its superior chipset, graphics, and high refresh rate display.
- Frequent Traveler: The S21+ might be a better option with its reverse wireless charging capabilities, more versatile camera and eSIM support.
- Photography Enthusiast: The S21+ offers a telephoto lens and more software features, providing better versatility for camera use cases.
- Heavy Multitasker: The ThinkPhone's superior processor and faster charging will better suit you if that's your focus.
- Value Seeker: If found at a significant discount, the S21+ offers decent value with a decent camera and good display, but the ThinkPhone will generally be better for overall performance and longevity.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Motorola ThinkPhone. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has several advantages, such as the telephoto camera, higher peak brightness, and better audio features, the ThinkPhone wins where it matters most to me.
My reasoning is as follows:
- Performance: As a user that does a lot of heavy multitasking, the faster Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and Adreno 730 GPU in the ThinkPhone would provide a noticeably smoother experience. The benchmark score difference is significant, and I know that real world usage will reflect this difference.
- Display Smoothness: The 144Hz refresh rate on the ThinkPhone is a substantial upgrade over the 120Hz on the S21+, especially when scrolling through content and playing games.
- Charging Speed: 68W charging on the ThinkPhone would be a time saver compared to the slower 25W charging on the S21+, making it much more practical for a quick top-up.
- Software: Getting a newer version of Android out of the box is also an advantage with the ThinkPhone.
While I appreciate the versatility of the S21+'s camera system and its reverse wireless charging feature, the superior overall performance and smoothness of the ThinkPhone outweigh these advantages for me personally. The S21+ is an older device, and while it still provides a good experience, the newer processor and faster charging on the ThinkPhone make it the more sensible choice for my needs.
Ultimately, the best choice will depend on individual preferences. But the ThinkPhone offers more value for its performance and would be a better buy for my use case.
