1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Fold3 offers a unique tablet-like experience; S21+ is a traditional phone. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 158.2 × 128.1 × 6.4 mm (Unfolded) | Fold3 is wider when unfolded, significantly impacting portability; S21+ is taller but thinner. |
| Weight | 200g | 271g | S21+ is considerably lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 7.6" | Fold3 offers a much larger screen for enhanced multitasking, media consumption, and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1768x2208 | Fold3 has a sharper display, leading to a more detailed visual experience. |
| PPI | 394 | 374 | S21+ has slightly higher pixel density, leading to sharper text and images on its smaller screen. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Missing | S21+ likely offers superior colors and contrast due to AMOLED. Missing data regarding Z Fold3 technology |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; Ideal for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ will be much easier to see in bright sunlight. Missing Z Fold3 brightness data, likely to be significantly lower. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Fold3's Snapdragon chipset typically offers better sustained performance and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 898,700 | Fold3 provides noticeably better overall performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 660 (Adreno 660) | Fold3's Adreno GPU is generally considered superior for graphics-intensive applications and gaming. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4400mAh | S21+ likely offers slightly longer battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Both offer the same fast charging speed, though neither is the fastest in the market. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, No charge in-box | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | Fold3 offers faster reverse wireless charging, while S21+ may lack a charging brick. Both are not user removable. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.80 µm | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.80 µm | Similar image quality in daylight conditions. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", Samsung Bright S5KGW2, 0.80 µm | 12MP, f/2.4, sensor model missing, 1.00 µm | S21+ has a higher resolution sensor for digital zoom, but Fold3 offers better optical zoom |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.40 µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", Sony IMX258, 1.12 µm | S21+ includes Macro in its wide angle. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374, 1.22 µm | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374, 1.22 µm | Similar image quality for selfies. |
| Additional Lenses | Wide Angle + Macro, Telephoto + portrait | Telephoto lens, Wide Angle lens | S21+ offers telephoto and macro lenses, while Fold3 has a dedicated wide angle and telephoto lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, comprehensive features | Up to 4K@60fps, comprehensive features | S21+ is better for high-resolution video creation. |
| DxOMark Mobile | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Main: 120, Photo: 129, Video: 105, Selfie: 83 (Photo: 79, Video: 89) | Fold3 performs better overall in photo and video quality than S21+, and it also has Selfie scores as well. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the advantages of each phone, their practical implications, and trade-offs:
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry, ideal for one-handed use.
- Brighter Display: Significantly better visibility in direct sunlight, making it suitable for outdoor use.
- Superior Video Resolution: Capable of recording 8K video, useful for professional-grade video creation.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life, although the difference may be marginal.
- Hi-Res Audio and Noise Cancellation Microphone: Enhanced audio experience for media consumption and calls.
- Wider Satellite Support: Better location tracking accuracy for navigation and location-based apps.
Practical Implications: The S21+ is a strong all-arounder, suitable for users who value portability, a bright display for outdoor use, and a high quality traditional camera experience
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Advantages:
- Unique Foldable Design: Offers a larger, tablet-like screen for enhanced multitasking and media consumption.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper visuals, leading to a more immersive viewing experience.
- Superior Performance: Faster processing speeds and graphics performance for demanding applications and gaming.
- Better Camera Performance: Enhanced photo and video quality.
- Faster Reverse Wireless Charging: Charging other devices wirelessly at a faster rate.
- More RAM: Improved multitasking capabilities, with 12GB of RAM
- Latest Bluetooth Version: Benefit from better connection stability, speed and security for supported devices.
Practical Implications: The Fold3 is a productivity and media powerhouse, ideal for users who want a tablet-like experience in a pocketable device and are willing to sacrifice portability for these features
Trade-offs:
- S21+: Compromises on processing power and screen size for portability and brightness.
- Fold3: Compromises on portability, brightness and battery capacity for screen size and power.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Here are some ideal user profiles for each phone, with specific use cases:
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- General Consumer: Users who want a high-quality, reliable smartphone with a good camera and performance.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Those who need a bright display for use in direct sunlight.
- Content Creators: Users who require the 8K video recording capability and want to use more location-based apps.
- Users who prefer traditional designs: Users who like the form factor of standard smartphones over foldable ones.
Use Cases:
- Everyday use, including social media, browsing, and communication.
- Capturing photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Watching videos and consuming content in bright outdoor settings.
- Using navigation and location-based apps with high accuracy.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Ideal Users:
- Productivity Focused Professionals: Users who need to multitask and work on the go.
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who enjoy watching videos, movies, and playing games on a large screen.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who value the latest technologies and are attracted to the foldable design.
- Mobile Gamers: Users who will use the enhanced processor and GPU for demanding mobile gaming.
Use Cases:
- Multitasking between apps for work or school.
- Watching videos or movies in a more immersive way.
- Playing graphically intensive games with better responsiveness.
- Viewing and editing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets on the go.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers to consider:
What's more important - Portability or Screen Size?
- If portability and ease of use are paramount, the S21+ is better.
- If a large, immersive screen experience is more crucial, the Fold3 is preferable.
How much do I value Camera Quality and Video Recording?
- If you need 8K video recording, high resolution telephoto shots, the S21+ is the better option.
- If you want top tier photo quality, a better optical telephoto lens and don't need 8K video the Z Fold3 may be a better choice
How important is Multitasking, Gaming and Performance?
- If you need the fastest possible performance and are a big multi-tasker or gamer, the Fold3 is the better option.
- If you need something that's a great all rounder and not overly focused on performance the S21+ is a great option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler/Commuter:
- Recommendation: S21+ for its lighter weight, better outdoor visibility, and ease of one-handed use.
- Scenario 2: Office Professional/On-the-Go Worker:
- Recommendation: Z Fold3 for its enhanced multitasking, larger screen for document editing, and powerful performance.
- Scenario 3: Media Enthusiast/Gamer:
- Recommendation: Z Fold3 for its larger screen, superior GPU, and enhanced multimedia experience.
My Choice and Why
After carefully considering the specifications and practical implications, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G for my personal use.
Here's why:
- Productivity and Multi-tasking: As someone who frequently juggles between emails, documents, and browsing on my mobile, the Z Fold3’s larger screen offers a significantly better experience for multi-tasking. The ability to run multiple apps side-by-side is a huge advantage for my workflow.
- Enhanced Media Consumption: I enjoy watching videos and playing games on my phone, and the larger, higher-resolution display on the Fold3 provides a more immersive experience compared to the S21+.
- Future-Proofing: The foldable technology and the Snapdragon 888 chipset make the Z Fold3 feel more cutting-edge and future-proof than the S21+. I am willing to accept the bulk and weight trade-offs in order to get access to the tech that the Z Fold3 offers.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is an excellent phone with a brighter display and a more traditional form factor, the Z Fold3's unique functionality and enhanced productivity features align better with my specific needs. I value the increased screen real estate and superior performance over the S21+’s portability and video-centric camera. The slight compromise in battery life is something that is acceptable given the feature set and enhanced use cases.
