1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the vivo iQOO 12, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163.2 × 75.9 × 8.1 mm | vivo iQOO 12 is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling a bit bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 198.5g | Negligible difference; both feel similarly weighted. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen), unspecified (body) | Unspecified (screen and body) | S21+ offers superior screen protection from scratches and drops. Durability of iQOO 12 screen is unknown. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional "candy bar" smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Very similar display sizes; minimal real-world difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1260 x 2800 | vivo iQOO 12 has a noticeably sharper display, leading to clearer text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 394 | 453 | The higher pixel density of the iQOO 12 makes the screen appear more detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | vivo iQOO 12 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, especially in gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 3000 nits | vivo iQOO 12 is much brighter, significantly improving outdoor visibility in sunny conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | vivo iQOO 12 has a newer, significantly more powerful chip, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 749,100 | 2,020,000 | iQOO 12 is dramatically faster in benchmarks, translating to a much snappier user experience overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | iQOO 12's GPU delivers superior graphics performance, especially beneficial for high-end gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.69, 1/1.3", 1.2µm | iQOO 12 captures more detailed photos with its higher resolution sensor; larger sensor size enables better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2", 0.7µm | iQOO 12 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed images whereas S21+ uses a portrait lens for zoom. iQOO 12 likely excels in zoomed-in shots. |
| Ultrawide | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | iQOO 12 captures higher resolution ultrawide shots with a wider aperture, but the S21+ has a larger sensor on paper. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1", 1.0µm | iQOO 12 offers higher resolution for selfies, but slightly smaller sensor and aperture. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer high-resolution video recording; iQOO 12 supports slightly higher framerate in 8k. |
| DXOMark Score | 111 (overall) | Not Available | S21+ has a tested score, but iQOO 12 is untested. No practical score comparison. |
| Features | OIS, PDAF, HDR, 4k/8k Video, Night Mode, etc | OIS, PDAF, HDR, 4k/8k Video, Night Mode, Tracking AF, Laser AF, etc | iQOO 12 has extra focusing, stabilization and noise reduction features. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | iQOO 12 offers slightly longer battery life, though differences may be small in practice. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | iQOO 12 charges much faster, allowing quick power-ups. |
| Features | 15W Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | None | S21+ offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities, for more flexible charging needs. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | vivo iQOO 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 14 (upgradable to 16) | iQOO 12 ships with a newer OS, providing better software features and longer update support. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | iQOO 12 supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | iQOO 12 has a newer Bluetooth version with slightly better speeds and range. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB/16GB | iQOO 12 offers more RAM for smoother multitasking, especially for gamers or heavy users. |
| Storage | 128/256GB | 256/512/1024GB | iQOO 12 offers more storage, ideal for users with large media libraries. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage; consider storage options during purchase. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise cancelling mic | Dolby Atmos | S21+ has a slight edge in audio features offering Hi-Res Audio and Noise cancellation microphone |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21+ has additional environmental sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Wireless Charging: Supports 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, adding convenience.
- Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone: Offers slightly better audio features.
- eSIM Support: Can use a digital SIM, offering flexibility in carrier options.
- Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior screen durability.
- Barometer Sensor: Offers more environmental data.
vivo iQOO 12 Advantages:
- Performance: Significantly more powerful processor and GPU for superior speed and gaming.
- Display: Sharper, brighter screen with a higher refresh rate for better visual experience.
- Charging: Much faster 120W charging for quicker power-ups.
- Camera: Higher resolution primary and ultrawide cameras, and a dedicated telephoto lens.
- Software: Ships with a newer version of Android and is likely to get longer update support.
- Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for improved wireless performance.
- RAM and Storage: More RAM and storage options.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy S21+ 5G offers better audio and wireless charging capabilities, but lags behind significantly in performance.
- The vivo iQOO 12 has a superior display and camera system but lacks wireless charging, eSIM support and the same level of screen protection.
- The S21+ uses a slightly larger sensor in its ultrawide camera, but its overall camera specs lag behind the iQOO 12.
- The S21+ has a tested dxomark score which the iQOO 12 does not.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Users who value eSIM functionality for travel and digital carrier switching.
- Users who want a more durable screen with Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
- Users who listen to Hi-Res audio.
- Users who appreciate the barometer sensor for environmental data.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Everyday tasks and moderate use cases.
- Users who rely on wireless charging for convenience.
- Users who frequently travel internationally and need eSIM support.
vivo iQOO 12 Ideal Users:
- Gamers and power users who need maximum performance.
- Users who prioritize display quality and brightness for multimedia and gaming.
- Users who want very fast charging capabilities.
- Users who need higher resolution and detailed photos.
- Users who need large internal storage and RAM.
- Users who want future-proof connectivity.
Use Cases for vivo iQOO 12:
- High-end gaming and performance intensive tasks.
- Multimedia consumption, especially outdoors.
- Heavy multitasking and power use.
- Users who record a lot of high-resolution photos and videos.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions when deciding between the two phones:
Performance vs Convenience? Do you need the absolute best performance and speed, or are wireless charging and a more durable screen more important for your needs?
Camera Needs: Is a higher resolution main camera, a dedicated telephoto lens and superior ultrawide a necessity or is a reliable, all around shooter more important?
Budget and Long-Term Use: How long do you plan on using the phone? The newer software of the iQOO12 could mean it stays up-to-date for longer.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Gaming/Performance Focus: If you are a gamer or need peak performance, the vivo iQOO 12 is the clear choice due to its powerful chipset, superior display and fast charging.
- Everyday Use with Convenience: If you value wireless charging, eSIM support and slightly superior audio, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G might be suitable. It is still a capable phone for moderate use.
- Long-Term Value: If you intend to keep your phone for a longer period, the vivo iQOO 12 is likely the better option due to its more modern internals, longer software update support and future-proof connectivity.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the vivo iQOO 12. Here's why:
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers some convenient features like wireless charging, and it has superior screen protection, the performance gap is too significant for me to ignore. The iQOO 12's superior chipset, display, charging speed, and camera capabilities make it a more compelling option for my personal use case. I am often gaming and watching videos on my smartphone, so the higher refresh rate, better resolution and increased brightness would greatly improve that experience. I would much prefer more RAM and storage as I can often find myself needing a larger storage capacity. Though the S21+ offers some nice audio features, I value the camera capabilities more in my device, making the iQOO 12 the better pick.
