Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Apple iPhone SE (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm | The V21 5G is noticeably taller and wider, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed compared to the more compact iPhone SE. |
| Weight | 176g | 144g | The iPhone SE is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. The V21 may feel heavier, especially for smaller hands. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 4.7" | The V21 5G offers a much larger display, ideal for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. The iPhone SE's smaller screen is better for one-handed use but less immersive. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 750x1334 | The V21 5G has a sharper and more detailed display. Text and images will appear crisper, enhancing the viewing experience. |
| PPI | 409 | 326 | The higher pixel density of the V21 5G makes for a sharper display with less noticeable pixelation, which is more comfortable for reading and detail-oriented tasks. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The V21 5G's AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, leading to a more visually appealing experience, especially in dark mode. The IPS LCD of the iPhone SE may have less contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | The V21 5G's 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling compared to the 60Hz on the iPhone SE, enhancing the fluidity of daily interactions. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. This specification is missing, the comparison result is not valid. We can not define the practical impact. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | The iPhone SE's A15 Bionic chip is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better overall performance, especially in demanding tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 343,150 | 1,225,939 | The benchmark scores confirm the significant performance advantage of the iPhone SE. It handles intensive tasks such as video editing, gaming, or running multiple apps, much more effectively. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | The iPhone SE's GPU provides superior gaming performance and handles graphics-intensive tasks more efficiently. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 2018mAh | The V21 5G has a much larger battery, potentially offering significantly longer battery life. The iPhone SE may require more frequent charging for heavy users. Battery life varies on usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | The V21 5G charges much faster, reducing downtime. The iPhone SE’s slower charging means it takes more time to recharge. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, Not official mAh value | Both batteries are non-removable, the iPhone does not state the exact mAh value. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 12.2MP, f/1.8 | The V21 5G has a higher megapixel count which translates to more details in good lighting situations. Both cameras offer similar aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65" Sensor | 7MP, f/2.2 | The V21 5G has a much higher resolution front camera with a wider aperture, resulting in more detailed and potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not available | The V21 5G has a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing more of a scene. The iPhone SE lacks this functionality. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | The V21 5G has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. The iPhone SE lacks this functionality. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with OIS | 4K@60fps with HDR, OIS, Stereo Sound | Both offer good video recording capabilities. The iPhone SE offers higher frame rate and HDR video recording capabilities with stereo sound. |
| DxOMark | Not available | Mobile: 100 (Photo: 126, Video: 106) | The iPhone SE has a DxOMark score showing its good performance. The V21 5G does not have a DxOMark score available, making it harder to make a comparison of the camera capabilities. |
| Features | Triple camera, Digital Stabilization, Ultra stable video, PDAF, Front Flash | RAW | The V21 5G has additional camera features and also a front flash for selfie lighting. The iPhone SE offers RAW photo capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | iOS 15.4 (Upgradable to 18) | The V21 5G runs on Android with more customization but possible longer software updates, while the iPhone SE offers a seamless iOS experience and extended software support from Apple. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The iPhone SE supports newer and faster Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | The V21 5G has a newer Bluetooth version, offering slightly better connectivity and performance in some scenarios. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Wi-Fi, Cell ID | The V21 5G has more satellite systems, potentially leading to better location accuracy in various conditions. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The iPhone SE offers the flexibility of using an eSIM, while the V21 5G can use two physical SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB | Both phones offer the same maximum storage capacity. The iPhone SE has a base model of 64GB, which can be limiting. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB | The V21 5G has more RAM, which will handle multitasking better and result in better overall performance when running several apps at the same time. |
| Expandable | Not available | Not available | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so users must choose a storage variant carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Both phones offer similar basic audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer the same basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Screen: Unknown | Screen: Unknown | We can not define the practical impact of screen protection technology due to missing specifications. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | The iPhone SE has an additional barometer sensor, while the Vivo includes an accelerometer, compass, and gyroscope. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Larger, Smoother AMOLED Display: Offers a more immersive viewing experience with vibrant colors and smoother scrolling, beneficial for media consumption and gaming.
- Higher Resolution Cameras (Front and Rear): Captures more detailed photos and selfies, particularly in good lighting. Additionally, it has a wide angle lens for more versatile photography.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Provides significantly longer battery life and faster charging speeds, reducing downtime for users.
- More RAM: Offers better multitasking performance, allowing the user to use several apps at the same time, without slowing the device.
- Wider range of connectivity options: The V21 5G features a newer Bluetooth version and more satellite systems.
Apple iPhone SE (2022) Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A15 Bionic chip offers significantly faster performance, ideal for demanding tasks, gaming, and overall snappiness. This device will feel quicker and more fluid than the Vivo V21 5G.
- Compact and Lightweight Design: More portable and comfortable for one-handed use.
- Long-term Software Support: Apple's iOS provides extended software updates, keeping the phone secure and up-to-date for longer.
- Camera Features: HDR, Optical Stabilization and RAW photo capabilities.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The vivo V21 5G trades performance for a better display and battery.
- The Apple iPhone SE (2022) trades display size and battery capacity for top-tier performance and a compact design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for vivo V21 5G:
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, movies, or stream content on their phones.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-quality selfies and enjoy taking pictures using different lenses.
- Users with Longer Screen Time Needs: People who require long battery life and faster charging.
- Android Users: Users who prefer the customizability and features of the Android ecosystem.
Use Cases for vivo V21 5G:
- Binge-watching shows with a better screen and battery.
- Capturing detailed photos and social media content.
- Using multiple apps for productivity.
- Mobile gaming at medium to high settings.
Ideal User for Apple iPhone SE (2022):
- Performance Seekers: Those who prioritize raw performance and want a smooth, fast phone experience.
- Compact Phone Lovers: Users who prefer a small, lightweight phone that's easy to use one-handed.
- iOS Ecosystem Users: Those already invested in the Apple ecosystem or prefer iOS.
- Users that want to use the phone for long period of time: Users that seek long-term software support and security updates.
Use Cases for Apple iPhone SE (2022):
- Smooth gaming experience.
- Running demanding apps and multitasking.
- Reliable long-term use with updates.
- One-handed usage.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The vivo V21 5G offers a good value for users who prioritize display, camera, and battery life, and it is a more complete phone.
- The Apple iPhone SE (2022) offers high performance for a compact phone, but may be less appealing if a large screen and battery life are a priority.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display and media consumption or raw performance and portability?
- Is long-term software support crucial, or do you prefer a more customizable experience?
- Do you need long battery life and faster charging, or is average battery sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy media use and social media: Choose the vivo V21 5G for its larger AMOLED display, higher-resolution cameras, and long battery life.
- Scenario 2: Performance and portability: Choose the Apple iPhone SE (2022) for its superior A15 Bionic chip, compact size, and long-term software support.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use: If you want a balance between those options, evaluate the trade-offs of both phones and choose what meets your needs.
My Choice
I would choose the vivo V21 5G. While the iPhone SE (2022) boasts a significantly more powerful processor, my personal priorities lean towards a superior multimedia experience. The larger, more vibrant AMOLED display on the V21 5G is a significant advantage for watching videos, browsing photos, and general use. The higher resolution front and rear cameras, along with the included wide-angle and macro lens, offer more versatility for photography. Furthermore, the larger battery capacity and faster charging will give me more peace of mind throughout the day and reduce charging downtime.
While I acknowledge the superior performance of the A15 chip, the V21 5G offers a more balanced package that aligns with my typical smartphone usage patterns. I'm willing to trade some raw processing power for a superior display, better battery life, and improved camera capabilities.
