Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Apple iPhone 13 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications, along with their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm | V21 5G is taller and wider, while iPhone 13 Pro is thicker. V21 5G has a larger volume overall. |
| Weight | 176g | 204g | V21 5G is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Unknown Screen Protection | Unknown - cannot determine if any phone is more durable from these specs. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones; not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.44" | 6.1" | V21 5G has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. iPhone 13 Pro is more compact and pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1170 x 2532 | iPhone 13 Pro has a higher resolution, resulting in slightly sharper visuals. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 460 | iPhone 13 Pro's higher PPI makes text and images look significantly sharper and clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use similar display tech - expect vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | iPhone 13 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | iPhone 13 Pro is significantly brighter, resulting in much better visibility in direct sunlight and bright conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | iPhone 13 Pro's chip is much more powerful, leading to significantly faster performance in all tasks, including gaming, video editing, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 1,325,768 | iPhone 13 Pro offers much higher raw performance, making it much more responsive and future proof. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 (ARM Mali-G57 MC3) | Apple GPU (5-core graphics) | iPhone 13 Pro's GPU is significantly more capable, resulting in better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80 µm pixel size | 12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66" sensor, 1.90 µm pixel size, Sony IMX703 | iPhone 13 Pro has better low-light performance and overall image quality due to its larger pixels and wider aperture. While V21 has higher resolution, it doesn't always equate to better images. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65" sensor, 0.70 µm pixel size, Samsung S5KGH1 | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX514, pixel size not specified | V21 5G has higher resolution, but the iPhone 13 Pro's sensor likely offers a more refined and balanced image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.8, Sony IMX713, 1.00 µm pixel size | iPhone 13 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, enabling better zoomed-in photos without digital quality loss. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX772, 1.00 µm pixel size | iPhone 13 Pro has a wider aperture and a larger sensor resulting in a better image quality. iPhone 13 Pro's Ultrawide camera will have better results when compared to V21 5G's. |
| ToF 3D sensor | None | 12MP, 1/3.4" sensor, Sony IMX590, 1.00 µm pixel size | iPhone 13 Pro has a ToF 3D sensor for improved depth mapping, enabling advanced AR experiences. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | V21 5G has a macro lens for extreme close-up shots, however, this lens isn't of great quality. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (all with OIS) ; Slow-motion: 120 fps | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps (all with HDR and Stereo Sound); Slow-motion: 240fps | Both offer similar capabilities with 4K recording and OIS, iPhone 13 Pro has more recording options, better slow-motion and has better HDR, color accuracy, and overall quality. |
| DxOMark | Not tested | Mobile: 141 (Photo: 140, Video: 146) - Selfie: 134 (Photo: 128, Video: 143) | iPhone 13 Pro's DxOMark scores indicate its superior camera performance and quality. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, OIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Front Flash | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | iPhone 13 Pro offers more advanced features and better overall flexibility with optical zoom, RAW and Night Mode capabilities. |
Battery
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 3125mAh | V21 5G has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life, but it will depend on software and hardware optimizations. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 20W fast charging | V21 5G charges faster than the iPhone 13 Pro, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, MagSafe wireless charging 15W, Qi magnetic fast wireless charging 7.5W | iPhone 13 Pro offers wireless charging options (MagSafe & Qi), adding convenience. |
Software and Other
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | iOS 15 | Different operating systems with different ecosystems. iOS is generally considered more stable and has stronger privacy focus. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | iPhone 13 Pro has faster Wi-Fi speeds and a more stable connection. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.0 | V21 5G has a slightly newer version of Bluetooth, potentially offering slightly better performance and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | iPhone 13 Pro supports QZSS for better location accuracy, but both phones have comprehensive GPS systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | iPhone 13 Pro has an eSIM for more flexibility, while V21 5G is limited to 2 physical SIM cards. |
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB or 512 GB or 1024 GB | iPhone 13 Pro offers significantly more storage options and can go up to 1TB, accommodating larger media libraries. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB | V21 5G has more RAM for slightly better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | iPhone 13 Pro has a more advanced audio setup, better for media consumption. |
| Security | fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | V21 5G offers biometric security using a fingerprint scanner. No further specifications are available on iPhone 13 Pro's security features. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Both have essential sensors, iPhone 13 Pro has an added Barometer, while the V21 5G has a Fingerprint and Compass sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Comfortable: The V21 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Larger Display: The larger screen is better for media consumption and gaming.
- Faster Charging: The 33W charging is noticeably faster, reducing charging time.
- Larger Battery: The larger battery potentially offers longer battery life.
- Fingerprint sensor: Offers a simple biometric security option.
- More RAM: 8 GB of RAM might be better for multitasking.
- More affordable: The V21 5G will likely be significantly cheaper than the iPhone 13 Pro.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A15 Bionic chip offers vastly superior performance, making everything smoother and faster.
- Higher-Quality Display: Significantly sharper display (higher PPI) with a smoother refresh rate (120Hz), and much brighter, leading to better outdoor visibility.
- Better Cameras: The iPhone 13 Pro features a much more versatile and better quality camera system with a telephoto lens, wide lens, ToF 3D sensor, and overall better sensors. It also has better low-light performance and enhanced video quality.
- Advanced Video: Better video features including 4K recording at 60fps, more slow-motion capabilities and better HDR.
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging adds convenience.
- Better Audio: Superior audio features including Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones, Dolby Atmos, and more.
- More Storage Options: Storage can go up to 1TB for users who need it.
- Better WiFi Standard: Supports newer WiFi standards for better performance and speed.
- Build Quality: Build quality is very good and usually an edge over cheaper smartphones.
- Ecosystem: The iOS ecosystem is often considered more user-friendly and has better app support.
Significant Trade-offs:
- V21 5G: Sacrifices significant performance, camera quality, and display quality for a lighter build, larger display, and better battery.
- iPhone 13 Pro: Is heavier, more expensive, and has a smaller battery, but offers a much better performance, display, and camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a feature-rich phone at a more affordable price.
- Media Consumers: People who prioritize a large screen for watching videos and movies.
- Casual Gamers: Users who play less demanding games and don't need the absolute top performance.
- Battery-Focused Users: Those who want to maximize battery life and fast charging for daily use.
- Users who prefer Android: Those who prefer the Android OS and its flexibility
Specific Use Cases:
- Streaming and Social Media: Good for enjoying content and browsing.
- Everyday Tasking: Suitable for calls, messaging, and casual use.
- Basic Photography: Captures good-quality images for social media.
- On-the-go Usage: Lightweight and easier to carry around.
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who require top-tier performance for demanding apps and gaming.
- Photography & Videography: Those who need excellent cameras for professional or hobbyist photography and video.
- Ecosystem Users: Those who are already invested in the Apple ecosystem and want a seamless experience.
- Professionals: Users who need powerful tools for creative and productive tasks.
- Users who prefer iOS: Those who prefer the iOS OS and its user friendliness
Specific Use Cases:
- Pro-Level Photography & Videography: Capable of producing high-quality results.
- Demanding Apps & Games: Smooth experience for graphic-intensive software and games.
- Creative Work: Ideal for video editing, graphic design, and other creative tasks.
- Professional Work: Excellent tool for business apps and communication.
- Media Consumption: Great for content consumption due to high quality display and audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my budget? The price difference between these phones will be significant.
- How important is performance? Are you a power user or a casual user?
- Which operating system do I prefer? Android or iOS?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is tight, and you prioritize a larger screen and longer battery life, the vivo V21 5G is the better choice.
- Performance and Camera Enthusiast: If you need the best performance, camera quality, and a premium experience, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro is the clear winner.
- Everyday User: If you need a decent phone for basic tasks with a focus on media consumption and more battery life, the vivo V21 5G would suit you. If you prefer a more compact and premium experience, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro would be the better choice.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Apple iPhone 13 Pro.
While the vivo V21 5G is a good phone for its price point with a good display, the iPhone 13 Pro excels in almost every other aspect that matters to me. The superior performance, combined with a much better display and an excellent camera system, makes it a more compelling device for my needs. As someone who values responsiveness and high-quality imaging, the iPhone 13 Pro meets those needs much better than the vivo V21 5G would. I also prefer the iOS ecosystem and find it more user-friendly for my day to day tasks. Although it's more expensive and may be heavier, I am willing to pay the premium for those benefits.
