1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and Realme 11 Pro+, focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161.6 × 73.9 × 8.2 mm | S21+ is slightly wider, while the 11 Pro+ is a tad thicker; both are generally similar in hand feel. |
| Weight | 200g | 183g | Realme 11 Pro+ is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for long usage. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus Screen Protection | Unknown Screen Protection | S21+ has superior screen protection against scratches and drops |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen sizes; no noticeable difference in how much content is displayed. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Practically identical sharpness; both displays offer crisp and detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 394 | 394 | Identical pixel density; both screens appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast; both suitable for media consumption and gaming. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; comparable user experience for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 950 nits | S21+ is significantly brighter, making it much better for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. 11 Pro+ may struggle more in very bright conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | S21+ has a faster chip, leading to snappier app launches and overall smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 540,800 | S21+ benchmarks significantly higher; better performance for demanding tasks and gaming. Slower for 11 Pro+ |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G68 MC4 | S21+ has a more powerful GPU; better for graphics-intensive games and applications. Slower graphics processing for 11 Pro+ |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 200MP, f/1.69, 1/1.4", 0.56µm | Realme 11 Pro+ has vastly higher resolution, leading to more detailed images in good light. S21+ has larger pixels resulting in better low light performance |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoomed photos, especially portrait photos, 11 Pro+ lacks a telephoto lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", 0.8µm | Realme 11 Pro+ has higher resolution for sharper selfies; S21+ has a wider aperture and larger pixels for better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | 11 Pro+ includes an ultrawide lens for wider shots, which is missing on the S21+. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.3, 1/5", 1.75µm | 11 Pro+ can capture close up macro shots, missing from the S21+ |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | None | S21+ includes a Wide Angle + Macro lens for wider shots and macro shots, 11 Pro+ has dedicated lenses instead. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21+ supports higher resolution video; better for professional-grade video recording and editing, but both have EIS and slow motion. |
| DXOMark | 111 (Mobile) | Not Tested | S21+'s image and video performance has been tested and given a score by DXOMark, showing it is a solid camera overall. |
| Features | Optical zoom, Manual focus, RAW | UIS, UIS Max, Noise reduction, Ultra stable video | S21+ has more advanced camera control, while 11 Pro+ has more advanced video modes |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 11 Pro+ has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering a bit longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | Realme 11 Pro+ charges much faster; significantly reduces downtime spent charging, while S21+ slower at charging |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse Wireless charging | 2x2500mAh | S21+ has the wireless charging options, while the 11 Pro+ has dual cells for potentially better charging efficiency. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of each phone's advantages and trade-offs:
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and Mali-G78 GPU deliver significantly faster processing and graphics, making it better for demanding apps and games.
- Brighter Display: The 1300-nit display is much more usable in direct sunlight, a critical factor for outdoor use.
- Versatile Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens for better zoom, a unique wide angle + macro lens and a better performing main camera in low light. The 8K video recording capability provides high-quality video options.
- Advanced Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and a more comprehensive sensor suite with a barometer and compass.
- Established Brand: Part of Samsung's premium line with software and customer support benefits.
Trade-offs:
- Slower charging speed at 25W.
- Heavier than the Realme 11 Pro+.
- No wide angle lens.
Realme 11 Pro+ Advantages:
- Faster Charging: The 100W charging drastically reduces charging time.
- Higher Resolution Camera: The 200MP main camera captures more detail in good lighting.
- Larger Storage Options: Offers up to 1TB of storage (compared to 256GB max on S21+).
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for prolonged use due to its lighter weight.
- Includes a Wide Angle Lens & Macro Lens: Lacking from S21+, making it versatile.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 13 out of the box compared to Android 11 from S21+
Trade-offs:
- Significantly lower performance than the S21+.
- Display is less bright and harder to view in direct sunlight.
- Lacks wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Main Camera does not perform well in low-light.
- Lacks a dedicated telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and those who prioritize performance and a bright, versatile display for outdoor visibility. Also, those who prioritize a more established brand.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Outdoor photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking and app usage.
- High-quality video recording and editing.
- Users who like to wirelessly charge their phones and devices.
- Value: A high-performance phone with a premium build, ideal for those who need power and a premium experience.
Realme 11 Pro+
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize fast charging, high-resolution photos, large storage options and a wide angle lens and macro lens and lighter weight.
- Use Cases:
- Users who need a phone that charges up quickly and stays charged through the day.
- Capturing high-detail images in good lighting.
- Users who need a lot of storage for media and apps.
- Users who find heavier phones less comfortable for extended use.
- Users who want versatility with the extra lenses.
- Value: Offers great value for everyday users focused on fast charging, versatility of the camera, and long battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider:
- How important is raw performance? If gaming or demanding tasks are a priority, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice. If general use is the main goal, the Realme 11 Pro+ will do fine.
- How important is battery charging speed? If you prioritize convenience and need to quickly top up your battery, the Realme 11 Pro+'s fast charging is crucial. If it is not as big of a deal and you would prefer wireless charging, the S21+ is better.
- What are your main photography needs? If you want good all around performance and have a dedicated telephoto lens, then the S21+ is better. If you want a high resolution camera, and wide angle lens, and macro lens, then the 11 Pro+ is better.
Scenario-based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: The Power User: A gamer or heavy multitasker who needs top-tier performance and wants the best possible user experience? Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
- Scenario 2: The Everyday Photographer: If you are looking to take good quality photos and videos while having versatile cameras and not too worried about low-light capabilities, choose the Realme 11 Pro+.
- Scenario 3: The Fast Charging Lover: If you absolutely need fast charging and don't need the absolute best performance, choose the Realme 11 Pro+.
- Scenario 4: The Established Brand Fan: If you want a reliable phone from a well-known brand, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Realme 11 Pro+ has some compelling advantages like faster charging and the inclusion of a wide angle and macro lens, the S21+ offers a significantly better all-around user experience. The superior chipset and GPU will provide a more enjoyable and smoother experience when doing more intensive tasks like editing videos and playing graphically intensive games. Furthermore, the brighter display is a big advantage for me, as I live in a very sunny area and I need a display that I can see clearly under the sun. The inclusion of wireless charging is a big plus for me. While the 11 Pro+ has the 200 MP camera and versatile lenses, I value the low-light performance of the S21+ main lens, the telephoto lens, and all of the extra camera features.
Even though the S21+ is an older phone, its processing power is still very capable and the display quality is excellent. It is my pick because it has the right mix of key advantages for my personal use case.
