1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Samsung is slightly wider, Realme is slightly thicker; Realme has a larger overall volume. May affect one-handed grip and pocketability, but negligibly |
| Weight | 200g | 190g | Realme 12 Pro is 10g lighter, which may feel more comfortable during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size, both offer a large viewing experience |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Very similar, negligible difference in sharpness |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 394 PPI | Identical sharpness, displays look equally detailed |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 950 nits | Samsung offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Samsung's chipset offers higher processing power and slightly better performance overall |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 574,000 | Samsung device shows better benchmark performance, indicates faster app loading and smoother multitasking |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 710 | Samsung's GPU is generally more powerful, offering better gaming and graphics performance |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2" Sony IMX882 | Realme has a higher resolution sensor for more detailed images. Samsung has a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" Samsung S5KGW2 | None | Samsung has a dedicated telephoto camera for better zoom and portrait capabilities |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" Sony IMX374 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Realme has a higher resolution selfie camera; Samsung's has wider aperture which might allow more light to enter. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74" Sony IMX709 | Realme has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX563 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | Samsung has a higher resolution and slightly larger sensor, possibly better wide-angle shots |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Samsung offers higher resolution for professional video capture, while both phones offer video stabilization. |
| DXOMARK Score | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | None | Samsung's camera performance has been benchmarked and rated. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Realme has a slightly larger battery, potentially slightly better battery life |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Realme charges significantly faster reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, No charge in-box | None | Samsung has more charging options, despite not including an in-box charger |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 14 | Realme has a more modern operating system, while Samsung is more feature-rich. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB or 12 GB | Realme can offer better multitasking with 12GB RAM. |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB or 512GB | Realme offers more storage |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows expandable storage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Higher Peak Display Brightness: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Stronger Chipset & GPU Performance: Faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- More Versatile Camera System: Dedicated telephoto camera, larger standard camera sensor, and wide angle sensor, allowing for greater zoom range, better low light performance and more detailed wide-angle shots. It also has 8K video recording and more advanced video features.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Added convenience for charging accessories and other devices.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: It has a more comprehensive set of sensors, including a barometer, which is valuable for certain applications.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14, offering the latest features and security updates.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging, reducing downtime.
- Larger Storage Options: Offers 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, which is more than Samsung's base model.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports Bluetooth 5.2 which may offer a more reliable wireless experience.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Offers good optical zoom capabilities for a better telephoto experience.
- Slightly larger battery: Offers a marginally longer battery life.
- Higher RAM Option: 12GB RAM offers improved multitasking capabilities.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21+ 5G sacrifices faster charging speed and newer OS version.
- Realme 12 Pro sacrifices higher peak display brightness, overall performance and more advanced camera capabilities in exchange for more storage, faster charging, more recent software, and newer Bluetooth version.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Power Users: Those who prioritize performance for demanding apps, games, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who need a flexible camera system with zoom capabilities and better low-light performance.
- Outdoor Users: People who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight.
- Users who require wireless charging: Users that prefer wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for convenience.
- Users that want a more comprehensive set of sensors: Users who might benefit from the availability of additional sensors, such as the barometer, for more precise environmental tracking.
Ideal User for Realme 12 Pro:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Users seeking good value with a newer device.
- Users who prioritize charging speed: Those who need fast and convenient charging.
- Media Consumers: Users who consume a lot of media and appreciate the higher storage.
- Users who want more RAM: Users who appreciate smooth multitasking and the ability to handle multiple apps simultaneously.
- Users who value a more recent operating system: Users that would prefer a newer OS version.
- Users who want to achieve better zoom capabilities: Users that want to take zoomed shots with the dedicated Telephoto lens.
- Users who are looking for a more affordable option: The Realme 12 Pro offers a good balance of features with a lower price tag.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Professional photography, mobile gaming, video editing, and extensive outdoor use.
- Realme 12 Pro: Everyday use, media consumption, social media, casual gaming and users on a budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display brightness and performance over all other aspects?
- Is fast charging, newer OS and a large amount of storage more important than wireless charging and better camera features?
- What is your budget and do you value the price-to-value ratio of these devices?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the power user: If you prioritize performance, camera versatility and display brightness, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice, despite being an older device.
- For the budget-conscious user: The Realme 12 Pro offers a good balance of features for a lower cost with faster charging, a more recent OS and larger storage.
- For everyday users: The Realme 12 Pro is a great device for most daily tasks, especially considering the fast charging, large storage and more recent OS version.
- For content creators: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers more advanced video recording capabilities, including 8K recording and a more versatile camera system.
My Choice:
Given these considerations, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Although it is an older device, its superior display brightness, more powerful performance, and more versatile camera system make it a better fit for my needs. I appreciate the flexibility of the camera's dedicated telephoto lens, and larger sensor, along with the wireless charging capabilities. The better performance of the Samsung is a crucial factor since I value a smooth and fast user experience. While the Realme 12 Pro offers a more recent OS, faster charging, and a larger storage, these advantages do not outweigh the more premium features offered by the S21+. The S21+ still feels like a more premium phone, making it a better option.
