Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. ZTE Blade V60 Design
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-06-01 | ZTE is newer by over 3 years, potentially having newer features and longer software support. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 164.2 × 75.3 × 8.6 mm | ZTE is slightly taller and thicker; Samsung is negligibly wider. ZTE has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 200g | 198g | Both phones have virtually identical weight, no significant difference in hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | Samsung offers a slightly larger screen, potentially better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1612 | Samsung provides a significantly sharper display; finer details and clearer text. |
| PPI | 394 | 267 | Samsung has a much higher pixel density, resulting in visibly sharper images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung's AMOLED has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Samsung's 120Hz offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the interface feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits (Not Specified) | Samsung's screen is significantly brighter, much better for outdoor viewing, especially in sunlight. ZTE's brightness is unknown, which may be an issue. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Samsung's chipset is much more powerful, offering faster performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 240,000 | Samsung is significantly faster, leading to smoother app loading, faster gaming, and better multitasking performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Samsung's GPU is significantly more powerful, leading to better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | ZTE has a slightly larger battery, which might result in marginally longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 22.5W fast charging | Samsung's charging is slightly faster; both charge using the Li-Polymer technology. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | Non-removable | Samsung offers wireless and reverse charging, convenient for accessories; ZTE does not have these additional features. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | ZTE has higher megapixel count on the main sensor; however, megapixel count isn't everything and the Samsung has a more advanced sensor (Sony IMX555). |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0 | None | Samsung has a dedicated telephoto camera for better zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 8MP | Samsung has a slightly higher megapixel count on the selfie camera. |
| Portrait (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | ZTE has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait effects. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | Samsung has a dedicated wide-angle lens, beneficial for landscape and macro photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K, HDR, EIS | 1080p@30fps | Samsung offers higher resolution and more advanced video features; better for video capture. |
| DxOMark | 111 (Overall) | Not Tested | Samsung's camera has a rated quality based on the DxOMark benchmark. |
| Features | Extensive features | Basic features | Samsung offers more advanced features like 8K recording, optical zoom, and OIS. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 15) | Android 13 | ZTE has a newer OS out of the box, but Samsung is upgradeable to a newer Android Version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | Samsung supports a newer Wi-Fi standard, offering better performance and speed. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (extensive features) | 5.0 (basic features) | Samsung has more extensive Bluetooth profile support, enabling better connectivity with various devices. |
| GPS | Advanced, Dual Band GPS | Basic GPS | Samsung offers more accurate positioning using dual-band GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM | Samsung supports eSIM, which is useful for traveling and digital plans. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB | ZTE only offers 256GB version while Samsung offers 128GB and 256GB variants. |
| RAM | 8GB | 4GB/6GB | Samsung has higher RAM, enabling better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | DTS/DTS X | Samsung has superior audio features, offering better quality and immersion. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | ZTE has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung offers superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Comprehensive | Basic | Samsung offers additional environmental sensors for advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher PPI, 120Hz refresh rate, and much higher brightness for excellent viewing experience indoors and outdoors.
- Significantly Better Performance: Much more powerful chipset and GPU for smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Telephoto and wide-angle lenses, 8K video recording, OIS, and more advanced features for higher-quality photography and videography.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Offers convenient charging options.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio and stereo speakers for a superior audio experience.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM support for convenient digital carrier switching and international travel.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection.
- More Sensors: Includes Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic sensor.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Dual Band GPS.
ZTE Blade V60 Design Advantages:
- Newer OS Out of the Box: Comes with Android 13, offering the newest Android system.
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger battery may offer slightly better battery life.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient to unlock the phone.
- Dedicated depth sensor: Offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode.
- Lower price: This device is a budget device and much cheaper compared to the S21+.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21+ 5G: Is an older device and might not have the latest software support.
- ZTE Blade V60 Design: Significantly weaker performance, lower quality display, and basic camera system with limited features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Those who need a high level of performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and viewing photos.
- Photography Lovers: Users who want advanced camera features, versatility, and high-quality image and video capture.
- Travelers: Users who require eSIM support, wireless charging, and the best performance in general.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Gaming: High performance ensures smooth and responsive gameplay.
- Video Recording: Supports 8K video for professional-grade content creation.
- Outdoor Use: The high brightness display makes it easy to see in direct sunlight.
- Photography: Versatile camera system captures high-quality images in various conditions.
ZTE Blade V60 Design is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users looking for a cost-effective smartphone for basic tasks.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily browse the internet, use social media, and make calls.
- Users needing basic smartphone functionality: People needing a smartphone that will do the basics.
Specific Use Cases for ZTE Blade V60 Design:
- Basic Social Media: Handles casual social media browsing.
- Everyday Calls and Texts: Satisfies basic communication needs.
- Light browsing: Can be used for browsing the internet and light app usage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: How important is smooth performance for demanding tasks and gaming?
- Camera Quality: How important are high-quality photos and videos?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget): If budget is the primary concern, the ZTE Blade V60 Design is a more affordable option, but be prepared to compromise significantly on performance and display quality.
- Scenario 2 (Performance/Camera): If performance and a high-quality camera are priorities, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the better choice despite being an older device.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced Approach): If you want a decent performance but at a budget, consider other newer devices, as the S21+ might have poor software support.
My Choice
My Choice: If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Reasoning: Despite being older, the S21+ offers a vastly superior user experience in areas that are critical to me: the display quality is exceptional, the performance is significantly better, and the camera system is much more versatile and capable. The additional features like wireless charging, reverse charging, and dual-band GPS provide more convenience and advanced capabilities. While the ZTE is newer and cheaper, the massive compromises in performance, display, and camera quality are too great. I prioritize a smooth, responsive user experience, and the Galaxy S21+ 5G delivers that. Also, I believe the software can be updated to Android 15, making it more worthwhile.
