Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. OnePlus Nord 4
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-05-06 | 2024-08-08 | OnePlus Nord 4 is a significantly newer device with newer technologies. |
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm, 176g | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm, 199.5g | OnePlus Nord 4 is larger and heavier, potentially less comfortable for prolonged one-handed use. The V21 is noticeably lighter. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.74" | OnePlus Nord 4 has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1240x2772 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a sharper display, resulting in crisper images and text. |
| PPI | 409 | 450 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a slightly more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED screens. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus Nord 4 provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2200 nits | OnePlus Nord 4 has vastly superior outdoor visibility in bright conditions. The V21's brightness is an unknown, which is concerning. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | OnePlus Nord 4's chipset is significantly more powerful, offering faster performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 1,366,982 | OnePlus Nord 4 offers drastically superior performance across all tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 732 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a significantly more powerful GPU, resulting in much better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus Nord 4 has significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | OnePlus Nord 4 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 64MP f/1.79, 8MP f/2.2 (wide), 2MP f/2.4 (macro) | 50MP f/1.8 (Sony LYT-600), 8MP f/2.2 (wide) | vivo V21 5G offers a higher main sensor resolution (64MP vs 50MP). The OnePlus has a larger sensor size on the main lens which might result in more light capture. OnePlus lacks a macro lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP f/2.0 (Samsung S5KGH1) | 16MP f/2.4 (Sony IMX471) | vivo V21 5G has a higher resolution selfie camera and wider aperture, good for detailed selfies in low light. OnePlus has larger pixels. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps OIS | Up to 4K@60fps EIS | Both offer 4K video recording, however V21 has OIS while OnePlus has EIS. OnePlus has greater framerate capture for slow-motion (240fps). |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a newer operating system, with access to the latest features, security updates, and performance enhancements. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 has faster and more reliable WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.4 | OnePlus Nord 4 supports a more modern bluetooth standard. |
| 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), QZSS (L1 + L5) | OnePlus Nord 4 has more comprehensive and accurate GPS support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | OnePlus Nord 4 has the option of larger storage, meaning more space for media and apps. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB/16GB | OnePlus Nord 4 can offer smoother performance with more RAM, especially when multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Stereo speakers, 2 microphones | OnePlus Nord 4 offers better audio with stereo speakers and enhanced voice capture, for media playback and calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones offer standard fingerprint security features. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology, but the details are unknown. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Geomagnetic | OnePlus Nord 4 provides a more comprehensive set of sensors, potentially for more advanced functions and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable for extended use and better for one-handed operation, at 176g and 7.3mm thickness.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 44MP front camera offers very detailed selfies, especially in good light.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): OIS available on all rear cameras (including main) is better for photos and videos with less movement.
OnePlus Nord 4 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset offers dramatically improved speed for apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Superior Display: Larger size, higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness for better overall viewing experience, especially in bright sunlight.
- Massively Longer Battery Life: 5500mAh battery offers much longer usage between charges.
- Much Faster Charging: 100W charging replenishes the battery much more quickly.
- Newer OS: Android 14 provides the latest features and security patches.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for faster and more reliable wireless connections.
- More RAM: Options for 12GB or 16GB of RAM for better multitasking performance.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and dual microphones for improved media consumption and voice capture.
- More Comprehensive GPS: More accurate location services due to the added satellite support
- Larger Max Storage: Option for 512GB of internal storage.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus Nord 4 is significantly larger and heavier than the vivo V21 5G, making it less convenient for some users.
- The vivo V21 5G's selfie camera has a higher resolution, which may be preferable for some users.
- The vivo V21 5G includes a dedicated macro camera which might be appealing to those who enjoy macro photography. The OnePlus Nord 4 does not.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a sleek, light, and thin design.
- Users who take lots of selfies and want high resolution.
- Users who value OIS on their rear camera for more stable photos and videos.
- Users who are not heavy gamers or multitaskers and don't need the latest and fastest processing power.
- Users on a tighter budget who want a decent camera and display.
Use Cases:
- Casual browsing, social media, and basic app use.
- Selfie-focused photography and casual videography.
- Everyday communication and media consumption.
OnePlus Nord 4 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance, speed, and long battery life.
- Users who enjoy gaming, watching videos, and multitasking heavily.
- Users who want a bright display that works well outdoors.
- Users who prefer the latest software and connectivity standards.
- Users who value fast charging and excellent audio quality.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Streaming high-quality video content and extensive media use.
- Photography and videography in bright outdoor conditions.
- Users who frequently travel and value battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is size and weight? If a light and thin phone is a priority, the vivo V21 5G is better; otherwise, the OnePlus Nord 4's size is acceptable for its benefits.
- How important is performance and battery life? If speed and battery are crucial, the OnePlus Nord 4 is the clear choice; for basic usage, the vivo V21 5G is sufficient.
- How important is display quality and refresh rate? If display quality and smooth animations are important, the OnePlus Nord 4 is far superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User, Budget-Conscious: If the user primarily uses the phone for basic tasks and values a light design, the vivo V21 5G may be adequate; however, the OnePlus Nord 4 is still a better value.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer or Power User: The OnePlus Nord 4 is the obvious choice due to its powerful chipset, larger battery, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If the main focus is on selfies, then the vivo V21 5G could be considered, but for everything else, the OnePlus Nord 4's main lens with larger sensor is better.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor Use, Media Consumption: The OnePlus Nord 4's high brightness screen and stereo speakers make it ideal for media use in bright outdoor conditions.
- Scenario 5: Value: The OnePlus Nord 4 has many more upgrades than the vivo V21 5G and is ultimately the better phone for the price, while the vivo V21 5G lacks many of these modern features.
Conclusion:
I would choose the OnePlus Nord 4. While the vivo V21 5G has a thinner design and potentially a better selfie camera, the OnePlus Nord 4 offers a far superior overall user experience. The OnePlus Nord 4's significantly faster performance, better display, longer battery life, faster charging, and more modern features make it a much more compelling option for most users. The advantages in key areas like performance, display, battery, connectivity, and audio outweigh the benefits of a slightly thinner design on the V21. The OnePlus Nord 4 is the phone that will age better, and has better features for the current standard.
