1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-03-15 | A55 is significantly newer, potentially longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161.1 × 77.4 × 8.2 mm | A55 is slightly wider and thicker, may feel slightly bulkier. |
| Weight | 200g | 213g | S21+ is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | S21+ has a marginally larger screen for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer similar sharpness for everyday use. |
| PPI | 394 | 390 | Virtually indistinguishable pixel density in daily use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ will be significantly brighter and more usable outdoors in sunlight. A55 brightness info is missing, impacting comparison. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) | A55 has a newer chipset, potentially better efficiency and future-proofing, although benchmark scores are lower. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 713,393 | S21+ edges out A55 in benchmark performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Xclipse 530 | S21+ has a slightly more powerful GPU for graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | A55 offers significantly higher resolution and larger sensor for detailed shots, especially in good light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | N/A | S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | S21+ offers a wider field of view, but A55's has a higher pixel count for more details. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | A55 has significantly higher resolution for detailed selfies. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4 | A55 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21+ can capture higher resolution videos; Both offer stabilization |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 111 (Photo: 118, Video: 89) | 108 (Photo: 110, Video: 117) | S21+ scores higher for photo, A55 for video. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | A55 has a slightly larger battery, potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both offer similar wired charging speeds. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | N/A | S21+ supports wireless and reverse wireless charging, offering flexibility. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Up to 15) | Android 14 (Up to 18) | A55 has a newer OS out of the box and better long-term software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer modern Wi-Fi speeds and features |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | A55 has newer, potentially more efficient Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, QZSS, Galileo | Both offer accurate location capabilities with minor differences in supported satellites. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano / eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano / eSIM) | Both allow for dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | A55 can be configured with 12GB RAM, improving multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer good quality audio; S21+ offers noise cancellation microphone for clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer similar biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both screens are equally protected |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Ultrasonic Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S21+ has a physical proximity sensor, A55 uses virtual. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness (1300 nits) makes it much more usable outdoors under sunlight.
- Better Performance: Higher benchmark scores, powerful GPU and a dedicated telephoto zoom lens provide better performance and versatility.
- Wireless Charging: Supports 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, offering convenience.
- 8K Video Recording: Capable of higher resolution video recording, suitable for professional use.
- Audio Features: Noise cancellation microphone for better voice calls, and more audio profiles.
Samsung Galaxy A55 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Newer launch date means it benefits from a more recent chipset and longer software support.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery capacity may offer marginally better battery life.
- Better Standard Camera: Higher megapixel count and larger sensor on its main camera allow for more detailed photos.
- Enhanced Selfie Camera: Higher resolution front camera for clearer and more detailed selfies.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: A dedicated macro lens expands photography options for close-up shots.
- More RAM Option: Available with 12GB RAM, enabling smoother multitasking.
- Software: Newer Android version and improved software support lifecycle.
- Bluetooth 5.3: Newer Bluetooth version, potentially more efficient.
- Video: Better video performance based on DxoMark score
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21+ sacrifices software support and a dedicated macro lens for better display brightness, performance, and telephoto camera.
- The A55 trades the S21+'s superior display brightness and performance for newer software, slightly better battery, better standard and selfie camera, and a macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who often use their phone in bright daylight will benefit from the superior display brightness.
- Power Users: Those who require high processing power for gaming or demanding apps will prefer the S21+'s chipset and higher RAM.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a dedicated telephoto zoom lens and 8K video recording.
- Wireless Charging Users: Those who appreciate the convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy A55 Ideal Users:
- Casual Photographers: Users who prioritize detailed main and selfie camera shots for everyday use.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a modern device with a good camera system at a more affordable price point.
- Long-Term Users: Individuals who prefer the long-term software support of a newer device.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Those who want a higher resolution selfie camera, especially for creating and sharing content.
- Macro Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21+ excels at: Gaming, outdoor photography, professional video recording, long travel with wireless charging
- A55 excels at: Social media content creation, everyday photography, long-term usage with up-to-date software, macro photography
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The A55 provides strong value for its features, especially considering its newer chipset and long software support.
- The S21+ may offer better performance, display, and telephoto camera, but lacks the A55's long term software support.
- The best value depends heavily on your specific needs and budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight? If yes, the S21+'s superior display brightness is a critical advantage.
- Do you prioritize long-term software support and a future proof device? If yes, the A55's newer OS and longer software support lifecycle are crucial.
- Is gaming performance or professional quality video recording your priority? If yes, the S21+ with its more powerful chipset and 8K video is preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Power User/Outdoors): If you're a power user who's often outdoors, the Galaxy S21+ is the better choice, due to the brighter display, better performance, and wireless charging capabilities.
- Scenario 2 (Casual User/Photography): If you're a casual user who prioritizes long-term software updates and a better everyday camera, then the Galaxy A55 is the better option.
- Scenario 3 (Budget-Conscious/Value): The Galaxy A55 may offer a better value proposition given its newer software, battery, and camera at a typically lower price point.
- Scenario 4 (Content Creator): The A55's better video and higher res selfie camera may be more appealing if content creation is the priority, however, the S21+ provides more advanced video recording features and a brighter display.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A55.
Here's why:
Despite the S21+'s superior display brightness and raw processing power, the A55 offers a more well-rounded package for my needs. Here's a detailed breakdown:
- Long-Term Software Support: As someone who keeps phones for a long time, the A55's newer Android version and a longer software support is extremely important. This is a significant advantage in terms of security updates and access to new features.
- Better Everyday Camera: I tend to use the main camera most frequently, and the A55's 50MP sensor with larger sensor size is better for everyday shots, coupled with a better selfie camera. While the S21+ is an amazing camera system with 8k recording and optical zoom, I rarely take advantage of these capabilities, and tend to use my smartphone for simpler photography.
- Macro Lens: The inclusion of a macro lens on the A55 gives it a level of versatility the S21+ simply doesn't have.
- Marginally Better Battery: Although not a huge leap, the larger battery provides the peace of mind that I don't need to charge so frequently.
- Video Quality: The A55 scores higher in video quality compared to the S21+ according to DxoMark.
- Bluetooth 5.3: A newer version of bluetooth for better connection and battery efficiency.
- Value: It provides a more modern set of features at what is likely a lower price point (given the S21+'s age) making it a better value proposition.
- Practical Use Cases: For my use case, which mostly involves social media, casual photography, and general daily usage, the A55 offers better overall performance for my needs.
Where the S21+ might be better:
- If I was frequently working under direct sunlight, I would likely choose the S21+ for the much brighter display.
- If I were a hardcore gamer or a professional videographer, the S21+'s raw performance and 8K recording would be appealing.
- If I really valued the ability to charge wirelessly.
Ultimately, the A55 is the better choice for me due to its combination of newer features, better software support, a very capable camera for my daily needs, and a value that aligns with my usage patterns.
