1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 146.5 × 68.1 × 9.4 mm | V21 5G is taller and wider, Zenfone 10 is thicker. Zenfone 10 is more compact and pocketable, V21 5G has a larger footprint. |
| Weight | 176g | 172g | Negligible difference in hand feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 5.92" | V21 5G offers more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. Zenfone 10 is more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness on both displays. |
| PPI | 409 | 445 | Zenfone 10 has slightly sharper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Zenfone 10 provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Zenfone 10 is much more visible in bright sunlight. V21 5G brightness is unknown, it might have less outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Zenfone 10 offers significantly faster performance, better for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 1,532,000 | Zenfone 10 is over 4x more powerful in benchmarks, a substantial real-world difference. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 740 | Zenfone 10 has a superior GPU, resulting in better graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766 | vivo V21 5G has higher resolution, Zenfone 10 has a larger sensor and bigger pixel size, usually better in low light |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65", Samsung S5KGH1 | 32MP, f/2.5, 1/3.2", Omnivision OV32C | V21 5G has higher resolution, wider aperture, and bigger sensor for better quality selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | No Wide Angle Lens | V21 5G allows for wider landscape shots, while Zenfone 10 does not have dedicated lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | No Macro Lens | V21 5G allows for detailed close-up shots, while Zenfone 10 does not have dedicated lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", Omnivision OV13B10 | Zenfone 10 has an ultrawide camera with macro capabilities, suitable for landscape and close up photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with OIS | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS | Zenfone 10 records in much higher resolution with better stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4300mAh | Zenfone 10 has a slightly larger battery, potentially giving it slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse Wired | V21 5G has slightly faster wired charging. Zenfone 10 supports wireless and reverse charging. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 5W reverse wired charging | Zenfone 10 is more versatile with additional wireless and reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13, Upgradable to 15 | Zenfone 10 is significantly more up-to-date, and it is expected to receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | Zenfone 10 offers much faster and reliable wifi connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Zenfone 10 uses newer version, and has more features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Zenfone 10 offers more precise location tracking with additional satellite support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Zenfone 10 offers more storage options for large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/16GB | Zenfone 10 offers 16GB RAM option for more intensive multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for memory card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Zenfone 10 has superior audio quality and recording capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Zenfone 10 offers a more convenient and faster fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Zenfone 10 has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Hall | Zenfone 10 includes additional sensors which might enhance gaming or AR experience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: 6.44" screen is better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 44MP front camera with larger sensor and wider aperture offers better selfie quality.
- Dedicated Wide Angle & Macro Lens: More versatility in camera options with dedicated lenses.
- Slightly Faster Wired Charging: 33W vs 30W for slightly faster charging speeds.
- OIS in main and front camera: Better stabilization, improving the quality of the photos and videos.
Practical Implications of vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- The larger display makes for better media viewing and multitasking, but it also makes the phone bigger and more difficult to use one-handed.
- The high resolution front camera produces quality selfies, but the phone may not be the best for low-light scenarios.
- The additional camera lenses bring versatility, but the image quality of these additional lenses may be lower than the main one.
- The faster wired charging allows for slightly shorter charging time, but it does not make a big difference compared to the 30W charging of the other phone.
Asus Zenfone 10 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers significantly faster performance than the Dimensity 800U.
- Significantly Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display results in much smoother scrolling and gaming.
- Higher Display Brightness: 1100 nits ensures better outdoor visibility.
- Modern Software: Ships with Android 13 and has an upgrade path to Android 15.
- Better Video Recording: 8K video recording capabilities.
- Wireless and Reverse Charging: Added convenience with wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices.
- Better Audio Features: Hi-Res Audio, Stereo speakers.
- More precise location and faster wifi: More satellite systems are supported, which allows for a more precise location, and the new wifi 7 version allows for higher internet speed and better connectivity.
- Superior screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus is more resistant to scratches and drops than the screen of the other phone.
Practical Implications of Asus Zenfone 10 Advantages:
- The superior performance translates into faster app launches, better gaming experience, and smoother multitasking.
- The higher refresh rate provides a more fluid experience when browsing and playing games.
- The increased brightness makes it much easier to view the screen under direct sunlight.
- The up to date software offers a more refined user experience, and it is expected to receive more updates than the other phone.
- The wireless and reverse charging features offer flexibility for charging the phone and other devices.
- The better audio features deliver higher quality media consumption and sound recording.
- The screen protection protects the screen from scratches and accidental drops.
- The more precise location and faster wifi improve the general quality of life and productivity.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The V21 5G offers a larger display, but lacks the processing power and overall performance of the Zenfone 10.
- The Zenfone 10 has a smaller display, but offers better performance, higher brightness, and wireless charging capabilities.
- The V21 5G has dedicated wide angle and macro lenses, but the Zenfone 10 has only one wide lens that also acts as macro lens.
- The main camera on the Zenfone has less resolution, but a bigger sensor and pixel size, while the opposite is true for the V21 5G, which has a main camera with more resolution, but smaller sensor and pixel size.
- The selfie camera on the Zenfone has lower resolution, smaller sensor size, and smaller aperture compared to the selfie camera on the V21 5G, which has more resolution, bigger sensor size, and bigger aperture.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Looking for a large display at a lower price point.
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Prioritizes high-quality front-facing camera for photos and video.
- Users that prioritize a dedicated wide angle and macro lens: Users that want multiple camera lenses for different situations.
- Users who prioritize a big display.
Use Cases for vivo V21 5G:
- Social Media Consumption: Enjoying videos, photos, and stories on a large screen.
- Video Calls: High-resolution front camera suitable for video conferencing.
- Casual Gaming: Can handle basic games, but struggles with demanding ones.
- General multimedia consumption: Watching movies and videos on a big screen.
Asus Zenfone 10 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and heavy app usage.
- Mobile Gamers: Need high refresh rate display for smooth gameplay.
- Outdoor Users: Require high brightness display for visibility in sunlight.
- Users who want better connectivity and precise location People who want faster internet, and require precision in navigation.
- Users who want up to date software with better future support
Use Cases for Asus Zenfone 10:
- High-Performance Gaming: Running graphically intensive games with smooth frame rates.
- Multitasking: Seamlessly switching between multiple apps without lag.
- Outdoor Photography: Taking clear photos and videos even under direct sunlight.
- Professional video recording: The 8K recording, gimbal and EIS features allow for quality video recording.
- General productivity: The fast processor, more modern software, and better connectivity improve productivity.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The vivo V21 5G is an older device and should be available at a lower price, offering good value for basic tasks and media consumption, however it may not be a good buy considering its age.
- The Asus Zenfone 10 is a newer device, it is more expensive but it is more powerful and has better features, offering good value for demanding users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, social media, productivity).
- How important is performance and display quality? (Do you need the latest chip and high refresh rate, or is a basic experience good enough?).
- How important is a large display, and how important is one-handed usage? (Do you want a large display for media consumption and multitasking, or a more compact device that is easier to use with one hand?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User with Budget Constraints: If you prioritize a big screen and a good selfie camera and want a more affordable option, and do not mind using an older phone, the vivo V21 5G could be suitable.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Oriented User: If you need top-tier performance, smooth display, and better video capabilities for gaming, productivity and photography, the Asus Zenfone 10 is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer: If you want an excellent mobile gaming experience with smooth gameplay, the Asus Zenfone 10 is a better option, due to the more powerful processor and higher refresh rate.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor Enthusiast: If you often use your phone in bright sunlight, and need better visibility, the Asus Zenfone 10's higher brightness will be much more useful.
What I would choose and why
I would choose the Asus Zenfone 10. Here's why:
- Future-Proof Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a significant leap in performance over the Dimensity 800U. This means the Zenfone 10 will handle future apps and games much better, and is a better investment for the long run.
- Superior Display Experience: The 144Hz refresh rate and higher brightness of the Zenfone 10 make for a noticeably better user experience for daily use and gaming. Even though it is smaller, it has better overall quality.
- Better Software Support: Android 13 with a promise of upgrade to Android 15 means the phone will remain up to date and secure for a long time, while the V21 5G ships with Android 11 and lacks information about future updates.
- More Versatile Features: The inclusion of wireless charging, reverse charging, and better audio features add convenience and functionality.
- Better connectivity and more precise location: The newer wifi standard and more satellite system support add extra value and overall improves quality of life.
- I prefer a more compact device Even though the V21 5G has a bigger screen, the overall quality of the Zenfone 10 screen is better, and it is also more comfortable to use.
While the vivo V21 5G has the advantage of a larger display, dedicated wide angle & macro lenses, and a higher resolution selfie camera, its older chipset and lack of future-proofing make the Zenfone 10 a more compelling choice for my needs. The Asus Zenfone 10 is a more complete package that will offer a better experience in the long run.
