1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme C61 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 167.3 × 76.7 × 7.8 mm | Realme C61 is slightly taller and wider, potentially feeling less comfortable in hand for some users. Both have the same thickness. |
| Weight | 200g | 188g | Realme C61 is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme C61 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.74" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | S21+ has a significantly sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 394 | 260 | S21+ provides much crisper details and a higher level of visual clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ has smoother scrolling and animations, making the UI feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ is much more visible under bright sunlight conditions, while Realme C61's brightness is unknown, posing a potential usability issue under sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme C61 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | S21+ provides significantly faster processing speeds and improved energy efficiency for demanding tasks like gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 252,597 | S21+ offers a much more responsive experience for everyday use and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MP1 | S21+ will offer smoother graphics and a more enjoyable gaming experience. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme C61 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 32MP, f/1.8, | Realme C61 has a higher megapixel count, but the S21+ has larger pixels and a known sensor, suggesting potentially better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | S21+ offers better optical zoom capabilities and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 5MP, f/2.0 | S21+ takes more detailed selfie photos, while the Realme C61 might do better in low light with the slightly wider aperture. |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme C61 has an additional depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode. |
| Wide + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | None | S21+ is more versatile with wide-angle and macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | 1080p@30fps | S21+ has much better video recording capabilities for professional use. |
| DxOMark | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | None | S21+ has been independently tested for camera quality and scored fairly well. Realme C61 has not been tested. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme C61 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Realme C61 has slightly better battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | Realme C61 charges faster, resulting in less time plugged into the wall. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | None | S21+ offers more battery convenience and is able to charge other devices using wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness for a much better visual experience.
- Much Higher Performance: Exynos 2100 provides significantly faster processing and better gaming capabilities.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a versatile triple-lens system with telephoto, wide-angle, and macro capabilities, with higher-resolution video capabilities.
- Additional Battery Features: Includes wireless charging and reverse wireless charging options for added convenience.
- Better Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio support, along with a noise cancellation microphone for better audio quality.
- Better Connectivity Supports WiFi 6 for faster WiFi speeds.
- More Comprehensive Sensors includes Barometer, Gyroscope and Compass, along with a better location system (GPS L1 + L5, Galileo E1+E5a).
- Superior Build Quality: Utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus for improved screen protection.
Practical Implications: Ideal for users who prioritize display quality, performance, and advanced camera features, resulting in a richer multimedia and gaming experience.
Realme C61 Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 45W fast charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
- Larger Battery: Offers a slight increase in battery capacity for longer usage.
- Newer OS: Ships with a newer version of Android OS.
- Lower Weight: Slightly lighter weight makes it easier to hold.
- Lower Cost: This is not listed in the specifications but is a typical feature of budget phones
Practical Implications: This is a budget-friendly phone suitable for basic everyday use. It is suitable for users who prioritize battery life and faster charging speed without the need for high-end performance.
Trade-offs:
- S21+: Significantly more expensive, and it lacks expandable storage and a headphone jack.
- Realme C61: Lacks the premium features and performance of the S21+, including a significantly inferior screen, slower performance, basic camera, and less premium build.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, content creators, and those who consume a lot of media.
- Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming
- Shooting high-quality photos and videos
- Streaming videos or viewing multimedia content
- Multitasking with demanding apps
- Users who need fast performance and a high quality screen.
- Price-to-value: High price for excellent overall performance, screen quality, camera, and premium features.
Realme C61:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those who need a basic smartphone for daily tasks.
- Use Cases:
- Web browsing and social media use
- Making calls and sending messages
- Basic photography
- Long battery life for extended use
- Users who prioritize cost over high-end features.
- Price-to-value: Good value for basic functionalities with an emphasis on battery and charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The S21+ is likely much more expensive than the Realme C61.
- What are your performance requirements? Do you play graphics-intensive games or multitask frequently, or do you only need a basic smartphone for calls and social media?
- How important is the camera quality and display? Do you want a versatile camera and a bright, sharp screen, or is that not a priority?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance and Media Enthusiast If you want the best display, performance, camera quality and additional features, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User If you prioritize battery life, faster charging, and you have a limited budget, and your needs are basic everyday tasks such as social media and web browsing, the Realme C61 will fulfill your needs.
- Scenario 3: Well-Rounded Experience If you need a good balance of features, a great screen and great camera but have a medium budget, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G will be a better choice, but may be too much phone for everyday use cases
What I Would Choose and Why
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. Here's why:
As a tech analyst, I value the overall user experience, which the S21+ provides a significantly more comprehensive and satisfying one, especially considering the superior AMOLED display with its high resolution, brightness, and refresh rate, its far superior processing power and a much better camera system. While the Realme C61 has its merits, particularly in battery capacity and charging speed, the S21+ excels in areas that matter most to my daily use cases. As a user, I would prefer a more future-proof device. Additionally, I use my phone for mobile gaming, media consumption, and photography, and the S21+ clearly offers a better experience in all these areas. The additional audio features and wireless charging are also big conveniences for me. Although the cost is significantly higher, the S21+'s overall performance and capabilities make it a worthwhile investment that will likely last longer. While the lack of expandable storage is a small trade-off, the 256GB storage option should be enough.
