Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Z Fold4 offers a tablet-like experience when unfolded; S21+ is a traditional smartphone. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm (Unfolded) | S21+ is taller and slightly thicker; Z Fold4 is wider when unfolded and thinner. |
| Weight | 200g | 263g | S21+ is significantly lighter and more comfortable for prolonged use. Z Fold4 is heavier and bulkier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 7.6" (Main), Smaller Cover Display | Z Fold4 provides a significantly larger display for media consumption and multitasking. S21+ has a more pocketable form factor. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1812 x 2176 (Main) | Z Fold4 has a sharper and more detailed display. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 373 PPI | S21+ has slightly sharper details per inch. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unspecified (Likely AMOLED) | S21+ has superior display technology (AMOLED vs ) offering deeper blacks, better contrast, superior power efficiency for dark themes, more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ offers dramatically better outdoor visibility with higher brightness making it significantly better for bright sunlight use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Z Fold4 provides significantly better performance, faster app loading, and smoother multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 1,232,800 | Z Fold4 has a superior benchmark score. Better performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Z Fold4 has a more powerful GPU, offering better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | Z Fold4's main camera has higher resolution and a larger sensor, allowing for better detail and low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" (Telephoto + portrait) | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9" | S21+ has a dedicated Telephoto + portrait camera; Z Fold4 offers a telephoto lens that may not have the same quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" (Wide Angle + Macro) | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" | Z Fold4 has a dedicated Wide Angle lens; S21+ has a Wide Angle + Macro lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | Both have comparable front cameras. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Similar video recording capabilities but S21+ has slightly more recording options. |
| DxOMark Score | 111 (main) | 124 (main) | Z Fold4 has a higher camera score indicating better overall camera performance. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, 4K/8K Video, Optical Zoom, digital zoom. | OIS, PDAF, 4K/8K Video, Optical Zoom, digital zoom, Laser AF, Dual front camera, Under display camera. | Z Fold4 offers additional features such as a laser autofocus and under-display front camera. S21+ has Continuous autofocus. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4400mAh | S21+ has a slightly larger battery, which might offer slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both support 25W fast charging. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, No charger in box | 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse Wireless, Bypass Charging | Z Fold4 offers faster reverse wireless charging and bypass charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 16) | Z Fold4 comes with a newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Z Fold4 supports Wi-Fi MiMO for potentially better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Z Fold4 has a newer version of Bluetooth with more range and speed. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Z Fold4 includes more satellite systems for accurate location. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Z Fold4 offers higher storage options; both do not have expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | Z Fold4 has significantly more RAM for multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | S21+ has better quality audio features (Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone) |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Z Fold4 has a more advanced fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Z Fold4 has an improved version of Gorilla Glass. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Gravity | Z Fold4 has an additional Gravity Sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and more ergonomic: Significantly lighter (63g) and thinner making it more comfortable for one-handed use and carrying around.
- Brighter display: Significantly brighter display (1300 nits) which provides far better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Better Audio Quality: Includes Hi-Res Audio support and a noise cancellation microphone for superior audio playback and call quality.
- More diverse camera setup The S21+ has a dedicated telephoto portrait lens for better portraits and also has a wide angle + macro lens.
- Slightly larger battery: Although the difference is minimal it still has a slightly larger battery capacity that could translate to better battery life.
- More affordable: Typically available at a lower price point making it a budget-friendly option.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Advantages:
- Larger foldable display: Offers a significantly larger display when unfolded (7.6") for a tablet-like experience, ideal for media consumption and productivity.
- Superior performance: Features a more powerful chipset (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1) for better performance in all tasks including gaming and multitasking.
- More RAM and storage options: Comes with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage for future proofing.
- Enhanced camera system: Improved main camera sensor. Also features a telephoto and wide angle lens.
- More advanced features: Offers features such as a laser autofocus, under-display camera, bypass charging, and faster reverse wireless charging.
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android (Android 12) out of the box.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21+: Lacks the large, foldable screen, and underperforms in overall speed and raw processing power.
- Z Fold4: Heavier, bulkier, significantly more expensive, and lacks the better brightness display found on S21+.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Everyday users who want a reliable, high-performance smartphone with good value for money. Great for those who prioritize a balance of price, performance, and portability.
- Use Cases:
- General smartphone use (calls, messaging, social media)
- Casual photography and videography
- Streaming content and light gaming
- Users who appreciate a lighter, more manageable device.
- Users who need good outdoor visibility.
- Price-to-value ratio: S21+ 5G is the better option for users on a budget, providing good performance at a much lower price than the Z Fold4
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4:
- Ideal User: Power users, professionals, and tech enthusiasts who value productivity, multitasking, and a large display. Also great for users who want a new and innovative device.
- Use Cases:
- Multitasking on the go (email, documents, presentations)
- Media consumption (movies, TV shows, games)
- Content creation and professional photography/videography
- Users who need a tablet-like experience in their pocket
- Price-to-value ratio: The Z Fold4 is a premium device and the better option for users who can afford it.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Form Factor Preference: Do you prefer a traditional smartphone design or a foldable device?
- Performance and Productivity: Is the need for top-tier performance and multi-tasking essential for your work/play needs?
- Budget: What is your budget for this smartphone purchase?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious): If your priority is a good-value smartphone that performs well in everyday tasks, the Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Productivity Focused): If your priority is a large screen for multitasking and productivity, and you're willing to pay more for premium features, the Galaxy Z Fold4 is recommended.
- Scenario 3 (Multimedia Enthusiast): If you want the best for consuming multimedia and games, the Galaxy Z Fold4 offers the superior experience but at a price premium.
- Scenario 4 (On-The-Go User): If you want a light-weight and comfortable device for daily use, the Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 5 (Photography Enthusiast): If you want the best all-round photo and video performance, the Galaxy Z Fold4 provides slightly superior images.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. While the S21+ is a very capable phone with a good price to performance ratio, the Z Fold4's larger screen, more premium build, better performance, and enhanced camera system offer a significantly superior experience, particularly for my usage which involves lots of multimedia consumption, multitasking, and gaming. The price tag is a significant consideration but I consider the added value worth the investment. I do acknowledge that the weight and bulk might be a concern for some users and the better display brightness on the S21+ 5G is a significant advantage it holds over the Z Fold 4. However, for my use case the Z Fold4 provides the better overall experience.
