Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Asus ROG Phone 7
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the vivo V21 5G and Asus ROG Phone 7, focusing on the practical implications of their differences:
Design
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 173 × 77 × 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 7 is significantly larger and thicker, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 176g | 239g | V21 5G is noticeably lighter and more comfortable for extended use. ROG Phone 7 is heavier and may feel bulky. |
| Foldable Type | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones. No differences. |
Display
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.44" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 7 offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2448 | Both phones offer sharp and clear displays, but with very minor difference in resolution. |
| PPI | 409 | 395 | Both phones have similar pixel density, resulting in nearly equal clarity |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both phones use AMOLED, which means vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 7 provides a significantly smoother visual experience, especially during gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | ROG Phone 7 is drastically brighter, making it much easier to use in direct sunlight and provides a better HDR viewing experience. |
Performance
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 7 offers significantly faster performance, smoother multitasking, and much better gaming capabilities due to a newer and more powerful chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 1,603,292 | ROG Phone 7 offers significantly faster app loading times, and much smoother multitasking and gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 (ARM Mali-G57 MC3) | Adreno 740 (Qualcomm Adreno 740) | ROG Phone 7 has a much more powerful GPU, resulting in superior graphics performance, especially for gaming and demanding applications. |
Battery
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 7 has a much larger battery, which should translate into significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 65W fast charging | ROG Phone 7 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, USB power adapter (65-Watt) / 30-watt in India, 10W reverse wired | ROG Phone 7 offers bypass charging (allows powering directly from the charger without charging the battery), reverse charging to charge other devices, and a USB adapter in the box. |
Camera
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.9, 1.00µm pixels, 1/1.56" Sony IMX766 | vivo V21 5G has a higher resolution sensor, while ROG Phone 7 has a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65" Samsung S5KGH1, 0.7µm pixels | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C, 0.7µm pixels | vivo V21 5G has a higher resolution and wider aperture, potentially better selfies in general and in low-light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" Omnivision OV13B10, 1.12 µm pixels | ROG Phone 7 offers higher resolution wide-angle shots |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4, 1/5" Samsung S5K5E9, 1.12 µm pixels | ROG Phone 7 has a higher resolution for macro photos |
| Video | 4K@30fps with OIS, 1080p@60fps, slow-mo 120fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, slow-mo 480fps | ROG Phone 7 has much more capable video recording features, including 8K, higher frame rates and more slow motion options. |
| Features | OIS, Ultra stable video, Front Flash | 8K Video, Manual Focus, RAW, Night Mode | ROG Phone 7 provides much more video features, including manual focus and night mode, while vivo has OIS, ultra stable video, and a front flash. |
Software
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | ROG Phone 7 has a newer operating system, meaning it has newer features and is generally more secure and stable. |
Connectivity
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, WiFi 6 (802.11ax), WiFi 7 (802.11be), Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | ROG Phone 7 supports newer WiFi standards, resulting in much faster data transfer speeds and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC | Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, AVRCP, EDR, GAP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HDP, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | ROG Phone 7 has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering better connectivity and compatibility with devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 7 provides more precise location tracking with support for more satellite navigation systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones support dual SIM functionality |
Storage
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | ROG Phone 7 offers significantly more storage space. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB, 16GB, or 8GB | ROG Phone 7 offers more RAM, potentially resulting in smoother multitasking and better performance for demanding tasks. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
Audio
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | ROG Phone 7 provides a significantly better audio experience with richer sound, better clarity, and features like noise cancellation. |
Security
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones use basic biometric sensor for security |
Build Quality
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | ROG Phone 7 provides much better protection against scratches and drops. |
Sensors
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | ROG Phone 7 has an additional Hall sensor. Hall sensors are used in variety of applications like detecting opening and closing of phone cases, gaming and other advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable for long use and easier to carry in a pocket.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: Potentially better selfies with more detail.
- Optical Image Stabilization on Camera: Can result in sharper photos, especially in low-light conditions and reduce shaky video recording.
- Front Flash: Better lit selfies in the dark.
- Price: Likely more affordable due to being an older device.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Much faster chipset, GPU and higher AnTuTu score for demanding applications, gaming and multitasking.
- Larger, Brighter, Smoother Display: Offers a better viewing experience with a larger screen, higher brightness and refresh rate.
- Significantly Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Much longer battery life and quicker charging times.
- Superior Audio: Offers higher quality audio, noise cancellation, and stereo speakers for a better audio experience.
- More Advanced Camera System: Offers 8K video, manual controls, and better low-light capabilities.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Offers newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers much higher storage and RAM configuration for more space for applications and files.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior protection.
Trade-offs
- vivo V21 5G sacrifices performance, battery, and display quality for a slimmer and more affordable design.
- Asus ROG Phone 7 is bulkier and heavier but offers top-tier performance and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for vivo V21 5G:
- Casual Users: People who primarily use their phone for communication, social media, and basic tasks.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for an affordable phone with a decent camera and a slim design.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: Users who prefer a lightweight, pocket-friendly device.
- Selfie enthusiasts: The higher resolution front camera could make this phone desirable.
Ideal Users for Asus ROG Phone 7:
- Mobile Gamers: The high refresh rate display, powerful chipset, large battery and advanced features make this ideal for gamers.
- Power Users: Those who need a device for demanding tasks like video editing, heavy multitasking, and running intensive apps.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos, movies, and streaming content and want the best experience.
- Photography/Videography enthusiasts: The better camera system and advanced video features will be appreciated.
- Users who value long battery life: The large battery makes this phone a solid choice.
Specific Use Cases:
- vivo V21 5G: Ideal for everyday tasks, social media browsing, and occasional photography.
- Asus ROG Phone 7: Ideal for intensive gaming, watching high-quality video content, capturing high resolution videos and photos, and power-user tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? If budget is a major concern, the vivo V21 5G would be more affordable.
- How important is performance for you? If you prioritize speed and performance, the ROG Phone 7 is the clear choice.
- What are your usage habits? Do you play a lot of mobile games, watch videos or take a lot of photos/videos?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious User: If you need a phone for basic tasks and have a limited budget, the vivo V21 5G is a decent choice if you find it at a good price point.
- Scenario 2: Gamer: If gaming is a priority, the Asus ROG Phone 7 is the better pick due to its powerful chipset, high refresh rate display, and optimized gaming features.
- Scenario 3: Heavy User: If you use your phone extensively for media, productivity and multi-tasking, the Asus ROG Phone 7 with its powerful specs and better battery is more suitable.
- Scenario 4: Photography/Videography enthusiast: If you want to create better quality video and photos, the Asus ROG Phone 7 offers a much more versatile camera with more advanced video features.
- Scenario 5: User wanting a lightweight phone: If you value a lightweight and portable phone, the vivo V21 5G would be a good choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 7. While the vivo V21 5G offers a more compact and affordable option, the massive performance difference between the two is a major factor for me. The ROG Phone 7's superior display, incredibly powerful processor, long lasting battery, much better audio, improved camera system and features, and more advanced connectivity standards make it a much more appealing device for my needs. I would prefer to have the much more advanced and powerful ROG Phone 7 and deal with the extra size and bulk. I believe that the ASUS ROG Phone 7 is the much better device for the long term and offers better overall value due to being much more future proof than the Vivo V21 5G.
