Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A04e
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04e | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | S21+ is slightly shorter and thinner, potentially feeling more premium and comfortable in hand. A04e has a larger overall volume |
| Weight | 200g | 188g | A04e is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | S21+ offers a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | S21+ has a significantly sharper display, with crisper text and images, better for detail-oriented tasks like reading or watching high-res video. |
| PPI | 394 | 270 | S21+ has a much higher pixel density, leading to a clearer and less pixelated display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | S21+ provides superior colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency, particularly with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21+ delivers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ is much more readable in bright sunlight due to significantly higher brightness. The A04e's brightness is not specified making it hard to evaluate. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | S21+ has a much more powerful chip, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 121,345 | S21+ has significantly higher benchmark scores, indicating a major performance advantage. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | PowerVR GE8320 | S21+ has a much more powerful GPU, providing superior graphics processing for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | A04e has a slightly larger battery, which might provide a small advantage in battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | S21+ supports fast charging which results in quicker battery top ups. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, No charge in-box | Non-removable | S21+ has additional charging options such as wireless charging and reverse charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80µm pixel, Sony IMX555 | 13MP, f/2.2 | S21+ has a slightly lower resolution but a wider aperture and larger pixel size, which should result in better low-light performance and image quality. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80µm pixel, Samsung Bright S5KGW2 | N/A | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm pixel, Sony IMX374 | 5MP, f/2.2 | S21+ has a higher resolution selfie camera for more detailed selfies. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | A04e has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm pixel, Sony IMX563 | N/A | S21+ has a dedicated wide-angle lens to capture more in a single frame, and a macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps | S21+ has significantly superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolutions and frame rates, along with features like HDR and stereo sound |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | N/A | S21+ has a higher-rated camera overall, including significantly better video. |
| Camera Features | Extensive features including OIS, RAW, 8K video, optical zoom and night mode. | Basic features, missing optical zoom, stabilization and advanced modes. | S21+ offers more versatility and control over photography, while A04e provides basic photography tools. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | Android 12 | A04e comes with a slightly newer OS out of the box but the S21+ can be upgraded to a higher Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11n | S21+ has faster, more efficient Wi-Fi, with support for Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0, Extensive Feature List | Bluetooth 5.0, Basic Features | S21+ offers more Bluetooth features for better compatibility with accessories. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | S21+ has greater GPS compatibility offering better accuracy in various regions. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | S21+ offers more versatile SIM options including eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB | S21+ offers larger storage variants out of the box and a max of 256GB of non expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 3GB or 4GB | S21+ has significantly more RAM, resulting in better multitasking and smoother app usage. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | S21+ offers superior audio playback and recording with more advanced features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | S21+ offers biometric fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ has superior screen protection against scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Extensive sensor suite including Barometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Basic sensors: proximity, accelerometer | S21+ offers a broader range of sensors for better functionality and advanced applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 1300 nits brightness provide a significantly better viewing experience.
- Much Higher Performance: Exynos 2100 chipset delivers substantially faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile triple-lens setup with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, offering superior image quality, zoom, video recording, and more professional features.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Supports faster Wi-Fi 6, a broader range of Bluetooth features and more accurate GPS.
- Premium Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, and stereo speakers for enhanced sound quality.
- Additional Features: Offers wireless charging, reverse charging, fingerprint sensor, a more comprehensive suite of sensors, and eSIM support.
Practical Implications of S21+ Advantages:
- Better for media consumption, gaming, and photography enthusiasts.
- Handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly.
- Provides a more premium and feature-rich user experience.
- More future-proof.
Samsung Galaxy A04e Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery may offer marginally longer battery life.
- Newer OS Out of Box: Ships with Android 12.
- Lighter Weight: A lighter device for daily use.
Practical Implications of A04e Advantages:
- May have slightly longer battery life.
- A newer starting OS (although the S21+ is upgradable).
- May be easier to handle for some users due to its lighter weight.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21+: Significantly higher cost.
- A04e: Compromises on display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize a premium display for media consumption.
- Gamers and power users who need top-tier performance.
- Photography enthusiasts seeking high-quality and versatile camera capabilities.
- Users who want advanced features and future-proofing.
Specific Use Cases for S21+:
- High-resolution video playback and streaming.
- Demanding mobile gaming at high frame rates.
- Professional-level photography and videography.
- Smooth multitasking with multiple apps and productivity.
Samsung Galaxy A04e Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious consumers seeking an affordable smartphone for basic tasks.
- Users who prioritize battery life and a lighter device over other features.
- Individuals with simple usage patterns, such as social media browsing, calls, and basic photography.
Specific Use Cases for A04e:
- General browsing and social media use.
- Basic communication tasks like calls and messaging.
- Simple photography and video recording.
- As a secondary or backup phone.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21+ provides a significantly better experience for its higher cost, offering a greater overall value for those who can afford it, especially for demanding users.
- The A04e provides a very basic smartphone experience for its much lower price, and would be appropriate as an entry-level device or for those who do not need advanced features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The S21+ is a significantly more expensive device.
- How important are display quality, performance, and camera capabilities to you? The S21+ vastly outperforms the A04e in these aspects.
- What are your primary use cases? Basic tasks will be fine for the A04e, but more demanding activities will require the S21+.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is the primary concern, the A04e is a more affordable option. It will handle basic tasks, but do not expect a premium experience.
Performance and Features Driven User: The S21+ is the clear choice if you want a superior display, processing power, camera, and advanced features, with only a 200 mAh deficit in battery life.
Casual User with Some Media Consumption: If you are a casual user who would like the experience of a higher quality display, and the ability to take good photographs and videos then the S21+ provides a vastly superior experience.
Specific Use Case (e.g., photography, gaming): For these types of users, the S21+ is the better choice by far because it has much higher-quality hardware and more software features geared to these uses.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While it is the older device, the difference in overall performance and user experience is vast. The S21+ has an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a significantly more powerful processor, a far better camera system, wireless and reverse charging capabilities, and a host of other premium features that the A04e simply cannot match. Although it's older and would likely need a price reduction to be a good value, its still superior to the A04e in virtually every aspect.
The A04e is a budget device designed for basic functionality, and while it may have a slightly larger battery, the compromises made in display, performance, and camera are too substantial for my needs. The S21+ offers a more future-proof experience and would be a better daily driver given my demands as a tech enthusiast and active smartphone user, despite the higher price (assuming the S21+ has seen a large price reduction, given the age).
