Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Realme C67
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Realme C67 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-12-16 | Realme C67 is a significantly newer device. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mm | Realme C67 is slightly taller and wider by ~4mm but comparable, with similar thickness. |
| Weight | 200g | 190g | Realme C67 is lighter, which can be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.72" | Both have practically the same screen size, a negligible difference of 0.02 inches. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer the same level of display detail. |
| PPI | 394 | 392 | Both have very similar pixel density, resulting in a very similar sharpness perception. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to IPS LCD, along with better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both screens refresh 120 times per second for smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 950 nits | Samsung S21+ offers much better visibility in bright sunlight due to significantly higher brightness, especially for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) | Exynos 2100 offers significantly higher performance compared to Dimensity 6100+, which leads to faster app loading, gaming performance and better multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 338,900 | Samsung S21+ has significantly higher benchmark performance, translating to a much snappier and more responsive user experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MC2 | S21+ has a more powerful GPU, which is better for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Realme C67 has a slightly larger battery, potentially providing marginally longer battery life in practice. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Realme C67 charges faster with a 33W charger. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | Reverse Charging | Samsung S21+ offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, which is not available on Realme C67. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) | 12MP f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.8µm | 108MP f/1.75, 1/1.67", Samsung HM6, 0.64µm | Realme C67 main camera has higher resolution, but smaller pixel size, and slightly larger sensor. |
| Rear (Telephoto/Portrait) | 64MP f/2.0, 1/1.72" | None | Samsung S21+ offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Rear (Wide Angle) | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21+ offers an ultra-wide lens for capturing wider shots. |
| Rear (Macro) | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Realme C67 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Front (Selfie) | 10MP f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 8MP f/2.0 | S21+ offers slightly better resolution, while the Realme C67 has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps | Samsung S21+ offers significantly higher video recording capabilities with 8k and 4K at 60fps, suitable for content creation. |
| DxOMark Score | 111 (Mobile), 118 (Photo), 89 (Video) | None | The S21+ camera has been tested and received a good score, while the Realme C67 is not tested. |
| Camera Features | OIS, 8K Video, Optical Zoom, Triple Camera | Digital zoom, Dual Camera | The Samsung offers a more versatile set of features including optical stabilization and zoom. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 13 | Realme C67 ships with a newer OS, but the S21+ can be updated to Android 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | S21+ supports the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, which can offer faster connection speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Realme C67 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with minor improvements in power efficiency and stability. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS | S21+ supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The S21+ offers an eSIM option for added flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512GB | Realme C67 offers a larger 512GB option. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Realme C67 offers a higher 12 GB RAM variant. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos | S21+ offers more advanced audio features like Hi-Res audio and noise cancellation, for superior audio playback and call clarity. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Realme C67 has a more modern side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung S21+ has superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | S21+ has additional sensors like compass, barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology provides significantly better contrast, color reproduction, and power efficiency, and it also has higher brightness for great outdoor visibility.
- Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers much better performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, with more than double the benchmark score of the C67.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers a more versatile camera setup with dedicated telephoto and ultra-wide lenses, OIS, and 8K video recording.
- Better Video Recording: Offers superior video recording capabilities with support for 8K video and 4K@60fps.
- Premium Audio: Has a more advanced audio system with Hi-Res Audio, stereo speakers, and a noise cancellation microphone.
- Better Screen Protection: Has superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Advanced Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, eSIM support, and more sensors.
Realme C67 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched almost 3 years after the S21+, meaning it has a more modern design and OS out of the box.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger capacity battery that could give it a slight edge in battery life.
- Faster Charging: Supports faster 33W charging versus the S21+'s 25W.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Features a higher-resolution 108MP main camera.
- More RAM Options: Offers a higher 12GB RAM option.
- Larger Storage Option: Offers a 512GB internal storage option.
- Modern Security: A side-mounted fingerprint sensor which some users may find more convenient.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme C67 sacrifices display quality, overall performance, video capabilities, advanced camera features, premium audio, and more sensors for a lower price point and a few newer features and larger battery.
- The Samsung S21+ sacrifices faster charging, larger RAM, and a macro camera for a better overall experience in display, performance, video, camera, audio, and premium features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is ideal for:
- Power Users: Individuals who require high performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with optical zoom, high-quality video, and advanced features.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who prioritize superior display quality and enhanced audio for watching videos and listening to music.
- Frequent Travelers: Those who would benefit from the eSIM capability and better GPS.
Realme C67 is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals seeking a functional smartphone with a large battery and a fast charging at a more accessible price point.
- Everyday Users: People who prioritize longer battery life, faster charging and a solid main camera for casual use.
- Users Needing Larger Storage: Those who need up to 512GB of internal storage for media, documents, etc.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Professional photography/videography, mobile gaming, watching HDR content on the go, working on multiple applications simultaneously.
- Realme C67: Social media browsing, casual photography, all day battery, on the go charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Realme C67 is likely more affordable.
- How important are camera quality, display, and performance to me? If these are priorities, the S21+ is superior.
- Do I prioritize battery life and fast charging, or wireless charging and advanced features? The C67 has a slight edge in battery and wired charging speed, while the S21+ has wireless charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance and Camera are Key: If the user wants a smooth and responsive device for gaming, video editing, and/or needs great camera quality the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget and Battery Life are Key: If the user needs a functional, affordable smartphone with decent battery life and fast charging, the Realme C67 is better.
- Scenario 3: General Usage with Balance: If the user wants a good all-rounder with great display and camera features then the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Realme C67 has some advantages like a newer operating system out of the box, a slightly larger battery with faster charging, and more RAM/storage options, the S21+ offers a more premium experience where it really matters for me, which is performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The AMOLED screen on the S21+ is significantly better, especially for media consumption and outdoor use and is paired with a more powerful processor. While the S21+ is an older device, it is still a much better device for the user if they are looking for a premium phone experience. Even if the camera is not as high in resolution as the C67, the additional telephoto/ultra-wide lenses offer much more versatility for different photography needs as well as higher quality video.
