Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Asus Zenfone 8
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | V21 5G is taller and wider, but Zenfone 8 is thicker. Zenfone 8 is more compact, easier to handle for single-handed use. |
| Weight | 176g | 169g | Zenfone 8 is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 5.9" | V21 5G has a larger screen for more immersive media consumption, while Zenfone 8 is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer similar sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 409 ppi | 446 ppi | Zenfone 8 has a slightly sharper display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Zenfone 8 offers smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Zenfone 8 has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. V21 5G's brightness is missing, making it hard to judge. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) | Zenfone 8 offers substantially faster processing and graphics performance, resulting in smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 891,700 | Zenfone 8 has significantly higher performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 660 | Zenfone 8 offers superior graphics performance, better for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, offering similar battery life under normal usage. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 30W fast charging | V21 5G charges slightly faster. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79 | 64MP f/1.8, Sony IMX686 | Both offer similar resolution; Zenfone 8 likely provides better image quality due to the sensor, but real-world performance may vary. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP f/2.0, Samsung S5KGH1 | 12MP f/2.45, Sony IMX663 | V21 5G has higher resolution, Zenfone 8 has larger pixel size for better low-light performance. Both have tradeoffs and the best performing one will depend on use case. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/2.2 (Wide Angle + Macro) | V21 5G offers a dedicated wide angle lens, while Zenfone 8 combines wide-angle and macro. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 12MP f/2.2 (Wide Angle + Macro) | V21 5G offers a dedicated macro lens, while Zenfone 8 combines wide-angle and macro. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | Zenfone 8 offers higher video resolution, frame rates and advanced stabilization options for more professional quality video. |
| DxoMark | N/A | 116 (Mobile) | Zenfone 8 has a decent camera score while V21 5G score is unavailable |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Zenfone 8 has a longer support for software updates compared to V21 5G. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Zenfone 8 supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Zenfone 8 has slightly improved Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, etc. | Zenfone 8 supports more satellite systems, potentially offering better location accuracy, especially in urban areas. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer the same maximum internal storage capacity, but it is not expandable. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6/8/12/16 GB | Zenfone 8 offers more RAM options, which is better for multitasking. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Zenfone 8 provides better audio quality with better features for consuming media and content creation. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Zenfone 8 offers much better screen scratch and impact resistance. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.44" screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The 44MP front camera can capture more detailed selfies in good lighting conditions.
- Dedicated Macro and Wide-angle Lens: It offers dedicated lenses for macro photography and wide angle shots, while Zenfone combines them in a single one.
- Slightly Faster Charging: The 33W charging is marginally faster than Zenfone 8's 30W.
- Front Flash: Makes selfies in the dark better.
- Triple Camera: Offers more flexibility when taking photos.
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides a much faster and smoother experience for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations.
- Superior Display Brightness: 1100 nits of brightness makes it much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Better Video Recording: Supports 8K recording and higher frame rates for more professional video capture.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio with Stereo Speakers offers better audio for media consumption.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer faster and more reliable wireless connections.
- More RAM Options: Up to 16GB of RAM allows for smoother multitasking, especially if you tend to use many apps at the same time.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior resistance to scratches and impacts.
- More Advanced GPS: Support for more satellite systems provides better location accuracy.
- Software Upgradeability: Offers more software support and updates to latest version of Android.
- RAW: Support for RAW camera format, allowing more freedom in post processing
- Continuous Autofocus: Improves focusing when recording moving objects.
Trade-offs:
- The vivo V21 5G offers a larger display and higher resolution selfie camera in exchange for lower overall performance.
- The Asus Zenfone 8 is more compact and offers superior performance and advanced features, but lacks a dedicated macro and wide-angle lens.
- The vivo V21 5G's brightness is unknown, making it hard to judge its outdoor visibility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G is Ideal for:
- Users who prioritize a large, vibrant screen for media consumption and casual gaming.
- Users who take many selfies and want a higher resolution front camera.
- Users who want dedicated macro and wide-angle lenses.
- Users who prioritize a sleek design with a larger display.
Users who are on a slightly tighter budget (price not provided in the spec sheet).
Use Cases: Watching videos, browsing social media, casual gaming, taking selfies, travel photography, and everyday photography.
Asus Zenfone 8 is Ideal for:
- Users who want a compact phone with top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Users who prioritize a smooth, fast display with great outdoor visibility.
- Users who want excellent audio for media consumption.
- Users who often record high-quality videos.
- Users who value robust build quality and future-proofed software support.
Users who seek the best possible camera performance without the need for dedicated macro or wide angle cameras.
Use Cases: Playing demanding games, recording 4K and 8K videos, heavy multitasking, professional photography and video, and using GPS for navigation in complex areas.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is more important to you, screen size or performance? If you prioritize a large screen, go for V21 5G. If you value smooth performance, consider Zenfone 8.
- Do you take a lot of selfies? If yes, V21 5G offers higher resolution. If not, Zenfone 8's selfie camera is still very capable and has larger pixels.
- Do you need to record 4K videos often? If you need 4K or even 8K video, Zenfone 8 is far superior with stabilization and higher frame rates. If not, V21 5G records standard 4K videos and 1080p high fps.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you are looking for an everyday phone for media consumption and social media, with an occasional selfie, and your priorities are display size, the vivo V21 5G is more suitable.
- Scenario 2: Gamer/Power User: If you are a gamer or power user looking for a fast and smooth phone with great gaming performance, then the Asus Zenfone 8 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you prioritize high-quality video recording and post-processing, and do not need dedicated lenses, then the Asus Zenfone 8 is better due to its 8K recording capability, higher fps and post-processing capabilities. If dedicated lenses are important, then vivo V21 5G might be a good choice although with lower performance.
My Choice and Why
If I were to choose, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 8. Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 888 offers a significantly better user experience, providing the best performance possible, crucial for gaming, multitasking, and overall speed.
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and significantly higher brightness are crucial for a smooth experience and for outdoor visibility. The smaller size is a non issue, and a lot of users might find it a benefit
- Camera: While the vivo V21 5G has higher resolution selfie camera, the Zenfone 8's larger pixel size and advanced video features offer a more compelling and versatile photography experience. The wide-angle/macro lens combination is more useful for me.
- Future-Proofing: The Zenfone 8's Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 support and software upgradability makes it a more future-proof option.
- Audio: The much better audio quality of the Zenfone 8 is a big advantage in media consumption.
While I appreciate the larger screen and dedicated macro and wide angle of the V21 5G, the Zenfone 8 provides a better balance of performance, display quality, features, and future-proofing, aligning better with my personal use cases. I prioritize performance and display quality over slight variations in camera hardware in this case.
