Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs Realme 9 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Realme 9
Realme 9
Realme

General

Launch Date January 29, 2021 April 12, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 95.23 cm³ 93.94 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.35 "/g 3.6 "/g
Weight 200 g 178 g
Height 161.5 mm 160.2 mm
Width 75.6 mm 73.3 mm
Thickness 7.8 mm 8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Phantom Violet
  • Phantom Pink
  • Phantom Black
  • Phantom Silver
  • Phantom Gold
  • Phantom Red
  • Meteor Black
  • Sunburst Gold
  • Stargaze White

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.4 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.8 % 84.2 %
Pixel Density 394 PPI 411 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 430 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 1300 nits 1000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 106.93 mAh/in² 122.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 50.4 mAh/cm³ 53.22 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4800 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - International Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver)
GPU Mali-G78 MP14 - International Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 3.2 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.2, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 12
Maximum OS Version 15

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Realme 9

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S21+ 5GRealme 9Practical Impact
Dimensions161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mmS21+ is slightly larger; Realme 9 is a bit thicker. Impact on pocketability is marginal.
Weight200g178gRealme 9 feels noticeably lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use.
BuildGorilla Glass Victus Front, Glass Back, Aluminum FrameGorilla Glass 5 Front, Plastic Back & FrameS21+ is more durable with superior screen protection and a more premium build.

Display

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S21+ 5GRealme 9Practical Impact
Size6.7"6.4"S21+ offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Both displays offer similar sharpness, suitable for daily usage.
Pixel Density394 PPI411 PPIMinor difference, not noticeable to the naked eye, both will look similarly sharp.
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles.
Refresh Rate120Hz90HzS21+ has smoother animations, better responsiveness for scrolling, gaming.
Brightness1300 nits1000 nitsS21+ is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.

Performance

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S21+ 5GRealme 9Practical Impact
ChipsetExynos 2100 (5 nm)Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)S21+ is vastly more powerful, handling demanding tasks and games with ease, also more future proof.
AnTuTu Score749,100216,850S21+ offers dramatically faster performance. Apps load quicker, smoother multitasking, much better gaming.
GPUMali-G78 MP14Adreno 610S21+ GPU offers superior graphical capabilities. Better for graphics intense applications and gaming.

Camera

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S21+ 5GRealme 9Practical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76"108MP, f/1.75, 1/1.67"Realme 9 has higher resolution for detail and slightly larger sensor for low light. S21+ has larger pixels for better low light, but lower resolution.
Telephoto/Portrait64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72"NoneS21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom shots and portrait photography.
Selfie Camera10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2"16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13"Realme 9 has slightly higher resolution for detail, S21+ has wider aperture for slightly better low-light performance in theory.
Wide Angle12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55"8MP, f/2.2, 1/4"S21+ has a dedicated Wide Angle lens camera. Realme 9 also has a wide angle lens, albeit with a smaller sensor.
Macro CameraNone2MP, f/2.4, 1/5"Realme 9 has dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots.
Video Recording8K@24fps, 4K@60fps1080p@30fpsS21+ supports much higher video resolutions, better for professional or semi-professional video content creation.
DxoMark111 (Mobile), 118 (Photo), 89 (Video)N/AS21+ camera is a high quality one with well-tested real-world performance.

Battery

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S21+ 5GRealme 9Practical Impact
Capacity4800 mAh5000 mAhRealme 9 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life.
Charging25W fast charging33W fast chargingRealme 9 charges faster.
Features15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse WirelessReverse ChargingS21+ offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, a feature missing on the Realme 9.

Other

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S21+ 5GRealme 9Practical Impact
OSAndroid 11, Upgradable to 15Android 12Realme 9 ships with a newer OS version out of the box. S21+ supports more OS upgrades.
WiFiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)S21+ supports faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance in crowded networks.
Bluetooth5.05.1Realme 9 has a slightly newer version, but S21+ has more audio codecs.
GPSDual-bandSingle-bandS21+ has better GPS accuracy using dual band.
SIMDual SIM (Nano/eSIM)Dual SIM (Nano)S21+ supports eSIM for greater flexibility in network choices.
Storage128/256 GB128 GBS21+ has more internal storage options.
RAM8 GB6/8 GBS21+ has a fixed RAM configuration, Realme 9 is available with multiple options.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone offers microSD card support.
AudioDolby Atmos, Stereo speakersDual micsS21+ provides better sound experience with stereo speakers. Realme 9 offers noise cancellation.
SecurityFingerprint SensorFingerprint SensorBoth offer standard fingerprint sensors for device unlock.
SensorsCompass, Barometer, Hall, Accelerometer, GyroscopeAccelerometer, GyroscopeS21+ provides a wider range of sensors, better for certain use cases.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:

  • Significantly Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides a massive performance advantage, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
  • Superior Display: 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness provide a smoother and more vibrant visual experience, especially in outdoor settings.
  • Advanced Camera System: Offers 8k video, telephoto lens, higher quality wide angle lens, with OIS and more features like RAW and night mode giving it a lot more capability.
  • Premium Build and Features: Gorilla Glass Victus, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging provide a more premium user experience and added functionality.
  • More Audio Features: Offers enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion with Dolby Atmos, noise cancellation and stereo speakers
  • Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi standard, dual-band GPS for faster speeds and accuracy.

Realme 9 Advantages:

  • Lighter Weight: More comfortable to hold for extended use and easier to carry.
  • Faster Charging: 33W charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
  • Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP main camera captures highly detailed photos with better low light capabilities.
  • Macro Camera Lens: Dedicated macro lens to capture tiny details close up.
  • Newer OS out of the Box: Ships with a newer version of Android (Android 12 vs Android 11), although S21+ will be upgraded higher.
  • Lower Price: This phone will likely be available for significantly less than the S21+.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Performance: S21+ outperforms Realme 9 by a huge margin, meaning the Realme 9 will have trouble with more demanding applications and games.
  • Camera Features: Realme 9 has a higher-resolution main camera, but lacks the telephoto zoom lens, video recording capabilities and features of the S21+.
  • Build Quality and Premium Features: S21+ offers a more robust build, wireless charging, and better connectivity, all missing from Realme 9.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:

  • Power Users: Individuals who require top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, video editing, and other resource-intensive tasks.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system, with great low light, better zoom capabilities, more features and 8K video.
  • Media Consumers: Those who value a vibrant and smooth display for watching videos, playing games, and browsing.
  • Professionals and semi-professionals: Users who need the best quality videos, and accurate GPS for professional use.
  • Users of Samsung Ecosystem: Those already in the Samsung ecosystem.

Use Cases:

  • Gaming at high settings.
  • High-resolution video recording, including 8K content.
  • Professional photo editing and creation.
  • Use of many applications and switching between them, as a powerful multitasking device.
  • Outdoor use in bright sunlight.
  • Frequent use of wireless and reverse wireless charging.

Realme 9 Ideal Users:

  • Budget-Conscious Buyers: Individuals looking for a cost-effective smartphone with a good display and decent main camera.
  • Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and basic tasks.
  • Users Who Value Lightness: Those who prefer a lightweight phone for easy handling.
  • Users who prioritize long battery life: Those who need long battery life and fast charging.
  • Users on a tight budget: Those who do not need high-end specifications and prefer a lower priced option.

Use Cases:

  • Everyday social media and messaging.
  • Taking detailed pictures in daylight using the 108MP camera.
  • Casual gaming and entertainment.
  • Extended use on a single charge.
  • Macro photography.
  • Light usage patterns

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. How important is performance? If you need a powerful phone for gaming or demanding tasks, the S21+ is the clear winner. If you only need your phone for lighter usage, the Realme 9 may suffice.
  2. What is your budget? The S21+ is a high end phone and will likely cost more, and the Realme 9 is better value at the lower end.
  3. What do you need from your camera system? If you need the best, more versatile and professional camera capabilities, the S21+ will give that. For more casual use the Realme 9 is sufficient.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: High Performance & Top-Quality Camera: If you value top-tier performance and the best camera system, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. It excels in all of these areas, though at a higher cost.
  • Scenario 2: Budget-Friendly Option for Everyday Use: If you need a good basic smartphone for everyday tasks and your budget is a priority, choose the Realme 9. It offers a solid experience at a lower price point.
  • Scenario 3: Gaming & Media Consumption: If you prioritize a smooth display and the most powerful processor for gaming and media, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better option, with its 120Hz refresh rate, and superior chipset.

What I Would Choose

I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Realme 9 is a good value option and boasts a higher resolution main camera, my personal usage leans towards tasks that would benefit greatly from the S21+'s higher processing power. I often do tasks that require smooth and fast performance, like mobile gaming and photo editing. Additionally, the superior display with 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness, better sound and the premium build make it a more pleasant and better experience for me. I would also prefer the versatility and features of the S21+ camera system, despite the lower megapixel count of the main sensor, as the inclusion of a dedicated telephoto lens, 8k video recording, and wireless charging are important to my specific needs. I also use a lot of GPS, which the S21+ provides better accuracy for. The higher cost is an acceptable tradeoff for these enhancements.

In short, the S21+ is just a better phone, and I would prefer to get that experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.