1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Motorola Moto G51 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm, 176g | 170.5 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm, 208g | The Vivo is significantly thinner and lighter, making it more pocketable and comfortable for extended use, while the Motorola is larger and heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.8" | The Motorola provides a larger viewing area, which is better for media consumption and gaming, while the Vivo is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer the same level of detail, suitable for sharp viewing. |
| PPI | 409 | 387 | The Vivo's slightly higher pixel density results in a marginally sharper image, though the difference is often not noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The Vivo's AMOLED screen offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colours and better power efficiency with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Motorola provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience for fast-paced content, albeit slightly. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness information unavailable. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | The Motorola's chipset scores slightly higher in benchmarks. The Vivo's chipset is also generally considered in the same performance tier. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 381,000 | The Motorola is expected to have slightly better day-to-day performance, handling more demanding tasks and games marginally better. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 619 | Different GPUs: both will provide smooth graphics performance for most tasks and games, but specific performance levels vary. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Vivo's main camera has higher resolution and slightly wider aperture, potentially capturing more detail and better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.2 | The Vivo's selfie camera is much higher resolution and with wider aperture, meaning it captures more detail and better performance in low light. |
| Wide Angle lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP | Comparable wide angle cameras |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP | Comparable macro lens cameras |
| Video | 4K@30fps with OIS, 1080p@60fps with OIS | 1080p@60fps, 1080p@240fps | The Vivo records in 4K and has OIS, making it better for high-quality and stable video recording. The Motorola's slow motion framerate is better. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Front Flash | LAF, RAW | The Vivo has features like Optical Stabilization, and a front flash, and the Motorola has LAF and the RAW format. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | The Motorola has a significantly larger battery, likely resulting in much longer battery life, potentially a full day of use or more. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 10W fast charging | The Vivo charges much faster, reducing the waiting time. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | The Motorola has an upgrade path to Android 12. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.1 with A2DP, LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC | 5.1 with A2DP, LE | Vivo has a higher quality codec support for improved audio quality over Bluetooth. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 64GB or 128GB | The Vivo offers more storage options for those with extensive media libraries. |
| RAM | 8GB | 4GB or 8GB | Both are available with 8GB of RAM for smooth multitasking but the Moto G51 also has a 4GB RAM option for budget users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so consider the storage capacity you need when making a choice. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | The Motorola offers better audio with Dolby Atmos, providing a more immersive experience. 2 microphones are beneficial for voice clarity. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Motorola has a more convenient and quick fingerprint reader. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Vivo offers more comprehensive sensor suite with the compass sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel offers better contrast, colour accuracy, and deeper blacks, enhancing media consumption and viewing experience.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, along with OIS for stable video, make it better for photography and videography, particularly in low light conditions.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times, important for on-the-go users.
- Lighter & Thinner: More comfortable to hold and carry around due to its slim profile and lighter weight.
- High Quality Bluetooth Audio Codec Support: Supports aptX, LDAC and SBC for a higher quality bluetooth audio experience.
- More Internal Storage: Offers more internal storage for users with lots of media.
- Compass Sensor: Provides a comprehensive suite of sensors for advanced features and gaming.
Motorola Moto G51 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: Larger 6.8-inch screen provides an immersive experience for media and gaming.
- Bigger Battery: Significantly larger 5000 mAh battery translates to longer battery life, ideal for users away from a charger for extended periods.
- Smoother Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate offers a smoother user interface and scrolling experience, enhancing perceived performance.
- Slightly better chipset performance: The Snapdragon chipset has better benchmark performance and could be perceived slightly faster in demanding tasks.
- Dolby Atmos & Dual Microphones: Enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos provides a better listening experience and the dual microphones offer clear voice recording.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Conveniently located side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking.
Trade-offs:
- The Vivo offers a better display and cameras but at the cost of battery life and screen size.
- The Motorola offers longer battery life and a smoother screen, but with a lower resolution camera, IPS screen and a bulkier design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for vivo V21 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality and need a reliable selfie camera for social media.
- Media Lovers: People who prefer vibrant displays with high colour accuracy for watching videos and movies.
- On-the-Go Professionals: Those who need fast charging and a lightweight phone to use throughout the day.
- Users Who Need More Storage: The 256GB internal storage option is a significant advantage for those with many files.
Use Cases:
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos, including selfies, in different lighting conditions.
- Watching movies and TV shows in vivid color with deep blacks.
- Quickly charging the phone before heading out for a busy day.
- Carrying a sleek, lightweight device comfortably throughout the day.
- Listening to music with higher quality bluetooth audio codecs.
- Users who need a compass sensor for navigation purposes
Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G51 5G:
- Heavy Users: Individuals who need long battery life and use their phone intensively throughout the day, without quick access to a charger.
- Media Consumers: Those who value a larger screen for watching videos, gaming, and browsing the internet.
- Gamers: Users who appreciate smoother scrolling and animations in their gaming experience.
- Budget-Conscious: Users who value good performance and battery life on a budget.
Use Cases:
- Enjoying a full day of usage without worrying about battery life.
- Watching videos and playing games on a large screen for an immersive experience.
- Smoothly navigating through the phone's interface with a high refresh rate.
- Prefer an enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos and crisp voice with the dual microphone setup.
- Want a fast and convenient side-mounted fingerprint reader.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What do you value most: Camera quality and display vibrancy or battery life and screen size?
- Do you need fast charging and a lightweight phone, or is long battery life more critical?
- What is your budget, and is price-to-value more important than cutting-edge features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are a social media user: If you primarily use your phone for taking photos, especially selfies, and watching content, choose the vivo V21 5G for its superior camera and display quality.
- If you are a heavy user: If you prioritize battery life and need a phone that can last through a day of heavy usage, the Motorola Moto G51 5G is more suitable.
- If you want the best of both: If you need a device that is reasonably good in all areas, the Motorola Moto G51 5G edges out slightly due to its overall value and larger battery, with the slightly faster benchmark scores.
- If you prioritize an immersive audio experience: If you want a great audio experience, the Dolby Atmos setup and the dual microphones of the Motorola Moto G51 5G make it the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the vivo V21 5G.
Reasoning:
While the Motorola G51 5G offers a larger screen and longer battery life, the vivo V21 5G better suits my priorities and use case. As someone who enjoys photography and videography on my phone, the superior camera system of the vivo is a huge advantage, and the inclusion of OIS for video is a must-have. The AMOLED screen provides a richer and more vivid viewing experience, which is ideal for watching content and editing photos and videos, and the inclusion of High Quality bluetooth audio codecs is important for my music listening experience on the go. While I appreciate the convenience of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, I find an in screen sensor or a basic sensor to be similarly adequate, and the additional features of the Vivo outweigh this small advantage. The slightly faster charging on the Vivo is also useful for me. Although the Motorola G51 has a slightly better AnTuTu score, I don't believe the difference in the chipset to be significant enough to choose it over the superior camera system of the Vivo.
Ultimately, my choice would depend on whether a good camera experience is more important than having a longer battery life, and in my case, it is.
