1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Oppo A57 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163.7 × 75 × 8 mm | S21+ is slightly shorter, A57 is slightly thinner but also taller, not likely noticeable in daily use. |
| Weight | 200g | 187g | A57 is slightly lighter, may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.56" | S21+ offers slightly more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | S21+ has a significantly sharper display with much greater detail. |
| PPI | 394 | 269 | S21+ display will look noticeably clearer and less pixelated. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has much better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors and is more power efficient in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21+ offers much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ is much better for outdoor visibility and in bright sunlight; A57 brightness spec is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G35 (12 nm) | S21+ offers significantly faster processing, better for gaming, demanding apps, and overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 110,000 | S21+ is much faster in daily use and performs significantly better in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | PowerVR GE8320 | S21+ offers better graphics performance for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 13MP, f/2.2 | S21+ has a wider aperture, generally better low-light performance, similar image clarity. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0 | None | S21+ has an advantage for zooming and portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | S21+ has slightly more resolution; A57 has wider aperture better for low-light. |
| Portrait Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | A57 can capture depth information for portrait shots, but its value is limited. |
| Macro Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | A57 can take close up macro shots, S21+ has no dedicated macro. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | S21+ can take ultrawide shots of landscapes and group photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | S21+ captures much higher resolution video, suitable for professional use. |
| DxOMark | 111 Overall, 118 Photo, 89 Video | No data | S21+ has a rated higher quality camera setup. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | A57 has slightly larger battery, might offer marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 33W | A57 charges slightly faster. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | None | S21+ offers more convenient wireless charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | A57 has a slightly newer base version but S21+ gets more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | S21+ has faster and more efficient Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | A57 has a slightly newer version, though impact is minor. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | S21+ offers significantly more storage space. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 3/4 GB | S21+ has more RAM, will handle multitasking more smoothly. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | S21+ has superior audio quality and features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | A57 has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ has better protection against scratches and impacts. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with a higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers a significantly better visual experience with sharper images, smoother scrolling, vibrant colors and great outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides much faster processing speeds, leading to quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: The inclusion of a telephoto lens, wide angle lens, better video recording capabilities, and higher DxOMark score positions it as a superior camera phone. The S21+ also has the benefit of OIS.
- Wireless Charging & Other Features: Offers wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, a more comprehensive sensor suite, and more advanced connectivity features like Wi-Fi 6.
- More RAM and Storage: The S21+ has more storage and more RAM offering a much better experience.
Oppo A57 4G Advantages:
- Slightly Lighter Design: May be slightly more comfortable for extended use.
- Slightly Larger Battery: May provide marginally better battery life, but only slightly.
- Faster Charging: Charges its battery slightly quicker than the S21+
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Generally preferred for its convenience.
- Lower Price: Likely available at a significantly lower price point, making it more budget-friendly.
- Macro and Portrait Camera: For those who love to take macro photos, this is an additional benefit.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung S21+ is heavier, costs more, and has a slower charging speed and a slightly smaller battery, but this is easily justifiable given its significantly better performance, display, and camera quality.
- The Oppo A57 is the more budget-friendly option, but it is not close to the S21+ in performance, display and camera quality. The trade off is a big step down in many areas for a slightly cheaper phone.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal Users: Power users, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize a high-quality display and performance, and those who want to use their phone for work.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming: Demanding mobile games will run much better, take advantage of the higher refresh rate and great colours of the screen.
- Photography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos, especially in varied conditions.
- Multitasking: Handling multiple apps and tasks without slowdown.
- Media Consumption: Enjoying movies, streaming content and demanding mobile games with great color and detail.
- Productivity: Users who rely on their phone for professional tasks and need reliable performance.
- Price-to-Value: The S21+ offers significantly higher performance, display, and camera quality at a higher price. The cost is justified if you value those features more.
Oppo A57 4G:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious buyers, light users, those who primarily use their phone for basic communication and media consumption.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday Communication: Calls, messaging, social media browsing.
- Basic Media: Watching videos, listening to music on a budget.
- Casual Photography: Capturing everyday moments without high demands on image quality.
- Users who just want a basic reliable and cost-effective smartphone.
- Price-to-Value: The A57 is the budget-friendly option. However it makes a large number of significant sacrifices when compared to the S21+
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget?
- How important are display quality and performance?
- How important is camera quality, video and features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is Primary Concern, Basic Use: If you need a functional phone for basic tasks, communication, and light media use, the Oppo A57 4G is a reasonable option given its lower price.
- Scenario 2: Performance, Camera, and Display are Important: If you value a high-quality display, superior performance, better camera system, smoother experience with gaming and mobile tasks, and want your smartphone to be able to handle most things, then the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear choice, even if it is more expensive.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use With Budget Limitations: If you want the best possible experience within your budget, consider if the features offered by the S21+ justify the extra cost for you. If the budget is too high, then you may need to consider a cheaper phone, but the A57 has some serious trade-offs.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Here's why:
- Significantly Superior Experience: The display, performance, and camera on the S21+ are dramatically better. I value a smooth, responsive phone with a high-quality screen and powerful camera which the S21+ provides over the budget friendly A57.
- Future-Proofing: The S21+ with its more powerful processor is likely to remain useful for a longer period of time before becoming outdated.
- Long Term Value: While the S21+ is more expensive, it provides a significantly better user experience that would justify the cost for my usage.
While the Oppo A57 is cheaper, the sheer number of sacrifices you have to make is too significant. For my needs, the extra cost of the S21+ is easily justifiable for the huge improvement in performance, display, and camera quality.
