Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Nokia XR20
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Nokia XR20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 171.6 × 81.5 × 10.6 mm | S21+ is noticeably smaller and thinner, better for one-handed use and pocketability. XR20 is bulkier and may feel less comfortable. |
| Weight | 200g | 248g | S21+ is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. XR20's weight might lead to fatigue. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference. Both offer large viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness. Images and text will look similarly crisp. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Effectively identical. Pixel density differences are imperceptible to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. XR20's IPS LCD is generally less power-efficient and offers less vivid visuals. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21+ provides much smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience. XR20's 60Hz can feel less responsive. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Data Unavailable) | S21+ is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility outdoors, especially in bright sunlight. XR20 brightness data is missing, impacting the overall analysis. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | S21+ has a much more powerful processor, providing faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. XR20 is significantly less powerful and may struggle with demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 320,000 | S21+ has more than double the performance, translating to a much more responsive and capable device. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 619 | S21+ has a much more powerful GPU, giving better performance in games and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 48MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | XR20 has a higher resolution sensor. S21+'s larger pixels could result in better low-light performance. Actual image quality depends on processing. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | N/A | S21+ provides optical zoom capability, allowing users to get closer to subjects with less quality loss. XR20 lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | N/A | S21+ offers a wide angle with macro shooting, more versatile option |
| Wide Angle | N/A | 13MP, f/2.4, | XR20 has a dedicated wide-angle camera allowing for ultrawide perspective photos |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | S21+ has slightly higher resolution. XR20 has a wider aperture for potentially better low light. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo sound | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21+ records much higher-quality video with more advanced features like 8K, HDR, and EIS. XR20 is limited to 1080p. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | N/A | S21+ camera performs better according to DXOMark, however the XR20 score was not available |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4630mAh | Very similar capacity; likely comparable battery life under typical use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 18W fast charging | S21+ charges faster. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, No charger in box | 15W Wireless | S21+ supports reverse wireless charging, which can be convenient, but lacks a charger in-box. XR20 only offers standard wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | S21+ will get two more major Android OS updates. XR20 will have shorter software support, which may be a concern for some users. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi MiMO | Both have Wi-Fi 6, but XR20 has extra features. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | S21+ has slightly more bluetooth features than XR20. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC System | XR20 has better GPS support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | S21+ supports eSIM for more flexibility |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | S21+ offers more storage options, which can be useful for users who store many files. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | S21+ comes with 8 GB RAM, which offers better performance in multitasking. XR20 has less ram |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation Microphone, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | S21+ offers higher quality sound with additional features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Side mounted fingerprint | XR20's side-mounted fingerprint is usually more easily accessible and practical |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S21+ has extra sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and significantly higher brightness offers a much better viewing experience with vibrant colors, smooth motion, and excellent outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers much faster processing speeds, leading to smoother performance in all tasks, including gaming and multitasking.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a telephoto camera, wide angle + macro camera, and can shoot up to 8k video with HDR and EIS, resulting in much higher-quality photos and videos. Has better DXOMark scores.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging is noticeably faster than 18W.
- Wireless and Reverse Wireless Charging: Added flexibility for convenient charging.
- More RAM: 8GB RAM ensures smoother multitasking, and quicker loading times.
- More Storage Options: Offers up to 256GB of internal storage, offering more options to store files.
- Longer Software Support: Will receive more software updates than the XR20.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and better microphones.
Nokia XR20 Advantages:
- More Durable Build: Designed with enhanced ruggedness and may be suitable for harsher environments.
- Wider Aperture Front Facing Camera: Wider aperture could allow for better low light photos.
- More GPS Support: Support for QZSS and NavIC systems provide better location accuracy.
- Dedicated Wide Angle lens: A dedicated lens for wider photos
- More Practical Fingerprint Scanner: A side-mounted scanner may be more accessible and convenient to some users.
- MiMO Wifi: Better wifi technology.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G's advantages come at the cost of being less durable.
- The Nokia XR20 offers better durability and more GPS support, but sacrifices significantly in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need high performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a vibrant, smooth display for watching videos and browsing content.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who desire high-quality photos and videos, and advanced camera features.
- Professionals: Users who need productivity features, a fast chipset, and a good screen.
- Users who prefer sleekness
Use Cases:
- Gaming: High frame rates and responsiveness.
- Video Editing: 8K recording and fast processing speeds.
- Multimedia consumption: High-quality display for content.
- Demanding Applications: Smooth performance for resource-intensive apps.
- Photography: Superior camera system for a variety of situations.
Nokia XR20 Ideal Users:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts/Workers: Those needing a durable phone that can withstand harsh conditions and still work.
- Users needing more GPS support
- Users who value a physical fingerprint scanner more than an in-screen one.
- Users who want wider angle photos
- Users with a lower budget.
Use Cases:
- Construction Sites: Rugged build for use in harsh environments.
- Hiking/Camping: Reliable GPS and durability.
- Outdoor Sports: Withstanding rough handling and wet conditions.
- Travel: Durability.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., performance, camera, durability)
- How important is display quality to you? (e.g., vibrant colors, brightness, smoothness)
- What is your budget? (The price difference may vary regionally)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- High-Performance and Media-Centric: If you prioritize a high-quality display, fast performance, and an advanced camera, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear choice.
- Durability and Reliability: If you work in rugged environments or frequently engage in outdoor activities where a phone could be damaged, the Nokia XR20 provides the required durability.
- Budget-Conscious Users: If you need a lower cost and still want 5G and decent features, the Nokia XR20 is cheaper and still provides many functions.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Nokia XR20 offers impressive durability and better GPS support, the S21+'s advantages in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and software support are more compelling for my personal needs. I prioritize a smooth, responsive user experience and high-quality media consumption, and the S21+ clearly excels in these areas. The S21+ provides a superior experience for my typical use-cases which outweighs the durability concerns. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers an overall better user experience. While the lack of a charger in-box is an unfortunate trade-off, the benefits significantly outweigh this drawback.
