Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. TCL 40 SE
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5 mm | TCL 40 SE is slightly taller and thicker, may feel bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 190g | TCL 40 SE is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.75" | Similar screen size, negligible difference in practice. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | S21+ has significantly sharper display; text and images will be clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 260 | S21+ has much sharper display; finer details are more visible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and superior power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ has smoother scrolling and animations; more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 900 nits | S21+ is much more visible in bright sunlight; outdoor use will be significantly better. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Helio G37 (12 nm) | S21+ is vastly more powerful; apps load faster, multitasking is smoother, and gaming performance is significantly superior. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 160,000 | S21+ offers significantly higher performance for demanding tasks, games, and future-proofing. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | PowerVR GE8320 | S21+ GPU handles graphically intensive apps and games much better than TCL 40 SE. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.85) | TCL 40 SE has a higher resolution sensor but S21+ has a larger sensor and larger pixels for better low light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP (f/2.0) | Not present | S21+ has a dedicated zoom lens for better portrait and zoom quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/2.0) | S21+ has slightly higher resolution while TCL 40 SE has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Depth Camera | Not present | 2MP (f/2.4) | TCL 40 SE adds a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode. |
| Macro Camera | Not present | 2MP (f/2.4) | TCL 40 SE can take macro photos. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP (f/2.2) | Not present | S21+ has a wide-angle lens for landscape and group photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K | Up to 1080p | S21+ can record much higher resolution video for professional needs. |
| DXOMark | Mobile Score: 111 | Not tested | S21+ has been tested and rated positively for its camera performance. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, RAW, Night mode | HDR, Digital zoom | S21+ offers advanced photography features for creative control and better image quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5010mAh | TCL 40 SE has a slightly larger battery, which may result in marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 18W | S21+ charges faster, reducing time plugged in. |
| Features | 15W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging | Non-removable | S21+ offers more flexible charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 13 | TCL 40 SE has a newer base OS, but S21+ will likely receive updates to Android 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | S21+ has better Wi-Fi for faster downloads and stable connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | TCL 40 SE has a slightly newer version, both offer solid wireless connectivity, but S21+ offers richer codec support. |
| Storage | |||
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | S21+ offers a better user experience with smoother app switching due to having more RAM. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Stereo Speakers | S21+ offers more premium sound with clearer audio, better separation and immersive spatial sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | TCL 40 SE offers better fingerprint sensor performance. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ provides greater screen scratch and break protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Gyroscope, Barometer, Compass | Gravity | S21+ has a more comprehensive sensor suite useful for many apps, VR and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, providing a significantly better viewing experience.
- Far Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers dramatically better performance for all tasks, including gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Features multiple lenses, including telephoto and wide-angle, along with advanced features like 8K video recording and OIS.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Supports faster 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging.
- Enhanced Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and Noise cancellation microphone.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Gyroscope, Barometer, Compass.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the screen.
- More RAM: 8 GB of RAM for smoother multitasking
TCL 40 SE Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: May offer marginally longer battery life.
- Newer Base Operating System: Ships with Android 13 out of the box.
- More Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted for better ergonomics.
- Depth and Macro Camera: Dedicated depth and macro lenses for versatile photography.
- Lower Price: Typically available at a much lower price point.
Trade-offs:
- The TCL 40 SE is more affordable but sacrifices significantly in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities.
- The Samsung S21+ 5G offers superior performance and features but at a higher cost.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is ideal for:
- Power Users: Users who need fast performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and browsing.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile and advanced camera features with excellent image and video quality.
- Professionals: Users who require a high quality display, video, microphone and advanced feature set.
- Users who want fast charging: Supports 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.
- Users who want a good audio: Supports Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio.
Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming with smooth graphics and responsiveness.
- Watching movies and videos with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Professional-quality photo and video capture.
- Multitasking between resource-intensive applications.
- Editing videos or photos directly on the phone.
TCL 40 SE is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users looking for a basic smartphone at an affordable price.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and basic tasks.
- Users who value a slightly larger battery: Offers a marginally larger battery for slightly longer usage.
- Users who prioritize new base operating system: Ships with a newer base version of Android.
Use Cases:
- Basic everyday use: browsing, social media, messaging, and calls.
- Taking occasional photos and videos.
- Media consumption and social networking.
- Users that do not need professional-grade camera or top performance.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The TCL 40 SE offers good value at its budget price point.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers a premium experience but at a much higher price. The user needs to decide if they need those premium features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The TCL 40 SE is significantly more affordable.
- How important is performance? If you need fast performance, choose the Galaxy S21+ 5G.
- What is your primary use case? Basic use cases are fine for the TCL 40 SE; the S21+ 5G is for more demanding users.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget constraint, basic use: The TCL 40 SE is the practical choice.
- Scenario 2: Need smooth performance for gaming: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Prioritize display quality and camera: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better option.
- Scenario 4: Need a premium and more versatile audio experience: The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the TCL 40 SE offers good value for its price and has a newer version of Android, the S21+ 5G provides a vastly superior user experience that cannot be matched. The difference in display quality, performance, camera capabilities and additional features of the S21+ 5G is significant and has a large impact on day-to-day usage. The better quality display alone will enhance every interaction with the phone. I also value the faster charging and the inclusion of wireless charging, especially for the convenience of topping up the phone at any time. Although I don't play many mobile games, a fast processor and ample RAM are a must for a smooth experience in all kinds of apps and multitasking. The enhanced audio quality is also important for enjoying media. Therefore, the higher cost is justified by the considerable improvements in overall quality and user experience.
