1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Nokia G10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 164.9 × 76 × 9.2 mm | S21+ is slightly shorter and thinner, G10 is taller and thicker, may impact pocketability and one-handed use |
| Weight | 200g | 194g | G10 is marginally lighter, may be slightly more comfortable for extended use |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) | Unknown | S21+ screen is more resistant to scratches and damage. G10 screen protection is unknown |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both phones are standard smartphones and non foldable |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Nokia G10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.52" | S21+ offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for multimedia and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | S21+ has much sharper images and text. Nokia G10 will have less detail and potential for pixelation. |
| PPI | 394 | 269 | S21+ provides a significantly crisper display with finer detail. Images will appear less pixelated. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better viewing angles, plus power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21+ screen animations and scrolling are noticeably smoother, enhancing user experience, especially for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ display is much more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. Nokia G10 brightness specs are missing |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Nokia G10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G25 (12 nm) | S21+ has vastly superior processing power, enabling faster app loading, multitasking, and smoother gaming. Nokia G10 will be slower for demanding tasks |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 102,700 | S21+ is significantly faster. G10 is suitable for basic tasks. S21+ performs demanding tasks with ease while Nokia G10 might struggle |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | PowerVR GE8320 | S21+ GPU is significantly more powerful, providing better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
| RAM | 8GB | 3GB or 4GB | S21+ has more RAM which allows for better multitasking and overall performance |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Nokia G10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor, 1.8µm pixels | 13MP, f/2.2 | S21+ has a larger sensor, wider aperture, and larger pixels, likely resulting in better low-light performance and image quality. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" sensor, 0.8µm pixels | None | S21+ offers a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed photos and portrait shots, adding to its versatility. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.4µm pixels | None | S21+ offers a dedicated wide-angle camera for more creative photos |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor, 1.22µm pixels | 8MP | S21+ selfie camera likely offers slightly better image quality. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | None | 2MP | G10 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Macro lens | None | 2MP | G10 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps, various modes with EIS & Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps, No EIS, Mono Sound | S21+ offers vastly superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolutions and better stabilization. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode, more | Basic Features | S21+ has advanced features like optical image stabilization, phase detection autofocus, RAW capture, and a dedicated night mode, enabling better image control and quality. |
| DXOMark Score | Overall: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Not Tested | S21+ has been benchmarked as a strong mobile camera performer while Nokia G10 has no testing |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Nokia G10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5050mAh | G10 has a slightly larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 10W fast charging | S21+ charges significantly faster, allowing quicker top-ups and less downtime. |
| Battery Features | Reverse Wireless, Wireless Charging 15W, No Charger in Box | Non-removable | S21+ offers wireless charging, reverse wireless charging but does not ship with a charger in the box |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Nokia G10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | S21+ likely receives longer software update support with android 15 |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band | 802.11n | S21+ has newer wi-fi standards that offer faster speeds and lower latency |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 with aptX | 5.0 | S21+ offers more advanced bluetooth features |
| GPS | Dual band GPS | Basic GPS | S21+ uses dual band GPS for more accurate and reliable location tracking |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM | S21+ supports eSIM for more flexibility when choosing a mobile carrier |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 32GB/64GB | S21+ comes with much larger storage options which is better for those who use their phone a lot for work or media |
| RAM | 8GB | 3GB/4GB | S21+ comes with more ram which is much better for multitasking and running demanding applications |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | 2 microphones | S21+ has stereo speakers and supports dolby atmos for a more immersive audio experience |
| Security | Basic fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Nokia has a more convient finger print sensor placement |
| Sensors | Advanced sensor suite | Basic sensors | S21+ offers more environmental sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate, higher resolution, and brightness provides a significantly better visual experience.
- Massive Performance Edge: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers dramatically better performance for all tasks, especially gaming and demanding apps.
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto, wide-angle lenses, higher quality sensor with wider aperture on main lens, 8k recording, OIS, and advanced features result in significantly better photo and video quality.
- Faster Charging & Wireless: Faster 25W charging, plus 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging adds convenience.
- Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, dual band GPS, and eSIM support make it more versatile for different use cases
- More Software Updates: It will receive android updates for much longer
Practical Implications: The Galaxy S21+ provides a high end, premium smartphone experience. It is able to handle most tasks with ease and offers a great screen and camera for its users.
Nokia G10 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Slightly bigger battery provides potentially longer battery life.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner: Provides more convient and modern fingerprint scanner
- More Affordable: Likely to be considerably cheaper than the S21+.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth sensors: Provides some versatility for specific photo use cases
Practical Implications: The Nokia G10 is a budget-friendly phone that covers basic usage scenarios. It will get the job done for simple tasks but will be slow for demanding situations.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21+ Trade-off: Higher cost, no expandable storage, no charger in box.
- Nokia G10 Trade-off: Dramatically inferior performance, display, and camera compared to the S21+.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Individuals who need a fast and responsive phone for demanding tasks, multitasking, and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and videos, and want versatile camera options.
- Media Consumers: People who frequently watch videos, stream content, and enjoy vibrant and smooth display experiences.
- Professionals: Those who require a reliable phone for work with robust performance and features.
- Users who want the best experience possible
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming
- Video Editing
- High Quality photography and videography
- Using multiple apps simultaneously
- Using the phone heavily throughout the day
- Using the phone in demanding conditions (sunlight etc.)
Nokia G10 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who prioritize affordability and are willing to compromise on performance and features.
- Basic Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for calls, texting, basic browsing, and social media.
- Those who prefer longer battery life
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic Web browsing
- Making calls and sending text messages
- Casual social media usage
- Longer battery life for day-to-day use
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21+ has a significantly higher price point but also offers a much higher value for users who require top performance and features.
- The Nokia G10 has a lower price point but also provides very low value for those who are not on an extremely tight budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? (This will be the major factor in deciding which phone to get).
- How important are high-end features like performance, camera quality, and display? (Those who highly value this should choose the S21+ and those who don't should choose the G10)
- What are my primary use cases? (Those who use their phone heavily should choose the S21+ while those who only need the phone for basic tasks should choose the G10)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User (Prioritizing Price): If budget is the only concern and you are just looking for a phone that does basic tasks, choose the Nokia G10.
- Scenario 2: Casual User (Basic Functionality): If you just need a phone for calls, texts, and social media, the Nokia G10 will cover that.
- Scenario 3: Performance-Focused User (Demanding Use): Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ for high-performance gaming, multitasking, and photography.
- Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ for professional-grade photo and video capture capabilities.
- Scenario 5: Someone who wants the best possible experience: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ would be the right choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
While the Nokia G10 offers a larger battery and a lower price tag, the S21+ offers vastly superior performance, a much better display, an excellent camera system, and faster charging. These factors are all worth the additional price if you can afford it. The S21+ is also a far more future-proof device that will provide a much better user experience throughout its lifespan. While the lack of a charger is a drawback and I would be sure to purchase one, that will not outweigh the positive aspects of the phone.
