1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the Realme 8, focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | S21+ is slightly wider, Realme 8 is negligibly thicker. Both are similar in size. |
| Weight | 200g | 177g | Realme 8 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for long use. |
| Build Quality | Gorilla Glass Victus Screen, Metal Frame, Glass Back | Unknown Glass Screen, Plastic Frame, Plastic Back | S21+ has superior screen protection and a more premium build, offering better durability. Realme 8's build quality might not be as resistant to scratches or drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | S21+ offers a larger display, which can be better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays are equally sharp at this resolution; both are capable of displaying clear images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 411 PPI | Both are very close, making both screens appear very sharp to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21+ provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1000 nits | S21+ is much better for outdoor use in bright sunlight, offering greater visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Helio G95 (12 nm) | S21+ has a more powerful and efficient chipset, resulting in better performance in demanding tasks, better gaming, faster app loading. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 409,874 | S21+ is significantly faster, showing better overall performance and a smoother user experience. Realme 8 is only suitable for basic tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 (ARM) | Mali-G76 MC4 (ARM) | S21+ has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better gaming performance with higher frame rates and more complex graphics. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm (Sony IMX555) | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm (Omnivision OV64B) | Realme 8 captures more detailed images with its higher resolution sensor, though the larger sensor size and pixel size on the S21+ might perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm (Samsung S5KGW2) | Not Available | S21+ offers a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom and portrait shots. Realme 8 lacks this versatility. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm (Sony IMX374) | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", 1.0µm (Sony IMX471) | Realme 8 has higher resolution for sharper selfies, but S21+ has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm (Sony IMX563) | 8MP, f/2.25, Unknown, Unknown | S21+ offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing wider scenes, Realme 8 has a similar lens but with a lower resolution. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown, Unknown | Realme 8 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which the S21+ lacks. |
| Black & White Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown, Unknown | Realme 8 has an additional Black & White lens for artistic effect. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | S21+ offers higher resolution video recording capabilities and more advanced video features. Realme 8 has a less advanced video recording suite. |
| DXOMARK Score | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Not Available | The S21+ has a validated camera performance, performing very well in both photography and videography. The Realme 8 has no benchmarked camera performance for comparison. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | Realme 8 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Realme 8 charges slightly faster than the S21+ 5G, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging (15W), Reverse Charging | None | S21+ offers convenient wireless charging and reverse charging for other devices, a feature missing from the Realme 8 |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides a much faster and smoother experience in all aspects, especially with multitasking and gaming.
- Better Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness make the display significantly better for everyday use and visibility in bright conditions.
- More Advanced Camera Features: The S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens, along with 8K video recording, OIS, and a higher DXOMARK rating, indicating superior image quality.
- Premium Build and Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse charging, and a more premium build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
- Better Audio: It has Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and a noise cancellation microphone for a more immersive audio experience
- Future Proofing The OS has a confirmed upgrade to Android 15 which means this will get a longer support life.
- Better Location Capabilities It has GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) for better location tracking
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The Realme 8 is lighter and slightly more compact, which may be preferable for some users who value portability and comfort.
- Faster Charging: The 30W fast charging allows for slightly quicker recharging.
- Lower Price: The Realme 8 is a more affordable option, offering decent value for the price.
- Macro and Black and White Lens: Offers more camera versatility with the additional macro and black and white lens.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: A newer Bluetooth version means better data transfer speeds and less power consumption.
- More battery power: The Realme 8 does have a slightly larger battery
Significant Trade-offs:
- Performance vs. Price: The S21+ sacrifices price for performance, while the Realme 8 compromises performance for affordability.
- Premium Features vs. Basic Features: The S21+ offers a range of premium features like wireless charging, which the Realme 8 lacks. The Realme 8 offers some niche camera features that the S21+ lacks.
- Display Experience vs. Size: The S21+ has a larger and smoother display, while the Realme 8 has a slightly more compact display and lower quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value image quality and want a versatile camera system with advanced features.
- Media Consumers: People who watch a lot of videos and appreciate a vibrant, smooth, and large display.
- Professionals: Those who need a reliable and fast phone that can handle a variety of tasks.
Specific Use Cases for S21+:
- Gaming: High-performance gaming with smooth graphics and fast load times.
- Content Creation: Capturing high-quality videos and photos, editing on the go.
- Business: Handling multiple apps and tasks, reliable performance for presentations, fast document editing.
- Mobile Media Consumption: Enjoying movies and shows with vibrant colors, sharp details, and high-quality audio.
Realme 8 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Those who want a decent phone at an affordable price.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and communication.
- Users Who Prefer Lightweight Phones: People who find heavier phones uncomfortable for extended use.
- Users Who want more camera versatility: People who might want macro and black and white photos.
Specific Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Everyday Tasks: Social media, basic browsing, texting, and calling.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want more camera versatility such as macro and black and white lenses.
- Casual Gaming: Playing less demanding games.
- Long Battery Life: Extended use throughout the day.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The S21+ is significantly more expensive than the Realme 8.
- How important is performance to you? If you need top-tier speed and responsiveness, the S21+ is the better choice. If only basic tasks, then the Realme 8 will suffice.
- What features do you value most? Do you need a great camera and premium build (S21+), or prefer a lighter device and faster charging (Realme 8)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need the best performance and features, and budget is not a major concern: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
- If you are on a budget and want a capable phone for everyday use with longer battery life: Choose the Realme 8.
- If you value video recording and overall image quality: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
- If you value portability and comfort: The Realme 8 is the lighter and more compact option.
- If you enjoy playing graphic intensive games: The S21+ is the better choice
- If you want to future proof your device: The S21+ is the better option due to the Android 15 update
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Realme 8 is more affordable and has some niche camera features, the overall experience offered by the S21+ is far superior for my needs.
The main reasons for this preference are:
- Performance: I value a smooth and responsive experience, especially when multitasking, using multiple applications, or playing games. The Exynos 2100 chip in the S21+ is a huge leap over the Helio G95 and I've always preferred higher processing performance.
- Display Quality: A smooth, bright display is crucial for daily use, and the 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness of the S21+ display provide a significantly better user experience for me, especially when browsing, watching videos, and using the device outdoors.
- Camera System: As a photography and video enthusiast, the more versatile camera system with telephoto, higher-quality video recording capabilities, and the overall higher DXOMARK rating, the S21+ is a better option for me.
- Premium Features and Build: I value the additional features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and superior build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus, as it adds convenience and more robustness to my daily use. The better audio quality is also a nice to have that I appreciate.
- Future-Proofing: Having the upgrade path to Android 15 provides this device with a longer lifecycle of support and updates.
While the Realme 8 is a good phone for its price, for my use case, the extra cost of the Samsung S21+ is justified by the significant improvements in performance, display quality, camera, build and premium features.
