Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. vivo V40
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 164.2 × 75 × 7.6 mm | vivo V40 is slightly taller and thinner, potentially feeling more streamlined in hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 190g | vivo V40 is marginally lighter, which can improve comfort during long usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in size; both are large and immersive. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | vivo V40 has a noticeably sharper display with more detail and clarity for text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 453 | vivo V40's display will look crisper, especially noticeable for users with sharp vision. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both for a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 4500 nits | vivo V40 is drastically brighter, leading to excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is slightly more efficient and powerful, resulting in snappier performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 855,000 | vivo V40 offers a slight performance edge in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 720 | vivo V40's GPU generally provides better graphical performance, especially in gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor, 1.8µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" sensor, 1.0µm pixels | vivo V40 captures more detailed images with higher resolution and has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Camera | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" sensor, 0.8µm pixels | Not Available | Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers optical zoom capabilities which are missing in the Vivo V40. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.4µm pixels | 50MP, f/2.4, unknown sensor, unknown pixel size | vivo V40 has a higher resolution on the wide angle. Missing sensor size and pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor, 1.22µm pixels | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64µm pixels | vivo V40 offers significantly higher resolution and better low-light performance for selfies. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G allows for higher resolution video recording. Both have video stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Not Available | Samsung Galaxy S21+ has an established camera benchmark, vivo V40 is missing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5500mAh | vivo V40 offers longer battery life, allowing for more usage between charges. |
| Charging | 25W | 80W | vivo V40 charges significantly faster, greatly reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | None | Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers more flexibility in how you charge and power other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 14 | vivo V40 comes with a newer version of Android, offering the latest features and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | vivo V40 offers a newer bluetooth standard with faster speeds, better connection stability. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, QZSS, BeiDou (B1) | vivo V40 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | vivo V40 offers larger storage capacity, suitable for users who store a lot of media. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | vivo V40 provides better multitasking and smoother app switching. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Microphone | Basic Audio | Samsung Galaxy S21+ has an edge in audio quality with better sound features. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both have standard fingerprint security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers superior screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Versatile Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens, wide angle lens and a wide angle + macro lens for greater flexibility in photography.
- Higher Quality Video: Shoots up to 8K resolution for extremely high quality video content.
- Comprehensive Battery Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and reverse charging, enhancing convenience.
- Advanced Audio: Offers higher quality audio and stereo speakers for enhanced user experience.
- Established Camera Benchmark: DxOMark testing, giving users a more clear idea of expected camera quality.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus is known to be very durable.
vivo V40 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a more detailed visual experience.
- Superior Brightness: Dramatically brighter display for excellent visibility even under direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 80W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Larger Battery: Provides longer battery life for extended usage without frequent charging.
- More Storage & RAM: Offers larger storage options and higher RAM for better performance.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with the latest version for new features and security updates.
- Newer Bluetooth: Faster speeds and better connection stability.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G sacrifices display sharpness and brightness for a more comprehensive camera system and more convenient battery features.
- The vivo V40 gains excellent display and battery performance, but has a simpler camera setup and lacks advanced battery features and audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Photography enthusiasts who value versatile camera options, users who prioritize wireless charging convenience, and those who appreciate high-quality audio for media consumption.
- Use Cases:
- Capturing detailed photos with optical zoom and varied perspectives.
- Recording professional-grade 8K videos.
- Enjoying high-fidelity audio with stereo speakers.
- Users who need the reverse charging to power other devices.
- Users needing a durable screen with Gorilla Glass Victus protection.
vivo V40:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality, battery life, and fast charging and gamers who need the extra ram and better GPU.
- Use Cases:
- Enjoying vibrant media consumption with a bright, sharp display.
- Long hours of gaming or mobile usage without needing to charge frequently.
- Quickly charging the phone during breaks.
- Users needing a phone that can handle multitasking very well.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Camera Preference: Do you value a versatile camera system with optical zoom, or a high-resolution main camera and selfie camera?
- Battery and Charging: Is longer battery life and fast charging crucial, or do you prefer the convenience of wireless charging and reverse charging?
- Display Needs: Do you prefer a sharper, brighter display for outdoor visibility or are you ok with a lower brightness?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Photography & Content Creation: If you are heavily into photography and videography, especially those that require optical zoom, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice due to the comprehensive camera system, 8k video, and a variety of shooting options.
- Scenario 2: Heavy Mobile Usage & Gaming: If you are a power user who values long battery life, fast charging, and smooth multitasking, the vivo V40 is the better choice due to its larger battery, faster charging, more RAM, and better GPU.
- Scenario 3: All-Around Media Consumption & Daily Use: If you prioritize a combination of good battery life and a superior display for content consumption and overall daily use, the vivo V40 will be a better fit due to its sharper, brighter display and long battery. If a better audio experience is more desired the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G will be a better choice.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the vivo V40.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G boasts a more versatile camera system and convenient battery features like wireless charging, the vivo V40 aligns better with my priorities. I value the significantly brighter and sharper display for an immersive viewing experience, especially outdoors, and its much faster charging ensures I am always powered up when I need to be. Additionally, the longer battery life of the vivo V40 means I can go longer without needing to charge. Finally, for gaming the added RAM and better GPU will be a better fit.
While I would prefer more versatility in the cameras, I can live with the tradeoffs. The improvements the vivo V40 brings in display and battery life are more crucial for my daily usage needs, outweighing the camera advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
