Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Realme 11 Pro+
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 161.6 × 73.9 × 8.2 mm | Realme 11 Pro+ is slightly taller and thicker, potentially less comfortable for small hands and single-handed use, though the difference is minor. |
| Weight | 176g | 183g | vivo V21 5G is slightly lighter, which might feel better during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.7" | Realme 11 Pro+ offers a larger display for more immersive media consumption and better multitasking, at the expense of a slightly larger device. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer a very similar sharp display; difference is not noticeable. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 394 PPI | Both have very similar pixel densities, making the displays equally sharp to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use AMOLED technology, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Realme 11 Pro+ has a smoother scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 11 Pro+ is significantly brighter for easier outdoor use under sunlight. The vivo's brightness is not specified which makes it impossible to know how well it would perform in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Realme 11 Pro+ has a more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 540,800 | Realme 11 Pro+ is significantly faster based on benchmarks, showing its superiority in performance and speed. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Realme 11 Pro+ has a more powerful GPU, providing a better gaming and graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm | 200MP, f/1.69, 1/1.4", 0.56µm | Realme 11 Pro+ has a much higher-resolution sensor and larger sensor for superior detail and low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/2.74", 0.80µm | vivo V21 5G has a higher-resolution selfie camera, and wider aperture, potentially better for detailed selfies and low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, pixel size missing | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm | Both have similar wide-angle lens setups, with the Realme offering larger pixels for possibly better low-light performance. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size missing | 2MP, f/2.3, 1/5", 1.75µm | Both have 2MP macro lenses, but Realme 11 Pro+ features a larger pixel size for better light capture. |
| Video | 4K@30fps OIS, 1080p@60fps OIS; 120fps slow-mo | 4K@30fps EIS, 1080p@120fps EIS, 960fps slow-mo | Both offer 4K recording, but the Realme has EIS instead of OIS, and more slow-motion options, providing more video recording versatility and a wider range of creative options. OIS typically performs better than EIS in real world use. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 11 Pro+ provides significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 100W fast charging | Realme 11 Pro+ charges much faster, significantly reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Realme 11 Pro+ comes with a newer version of Android, leading to a more modern software experience, and likely longer support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 | Realme 11 Pro+ features a more modern standard leading to faster wifi speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Realme 11 Pro+ features a more modern standard, leading to better battery efficiency and connection stability. |
| 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) | Realme 11 Pro+ has far more satellite system for increased precision. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | Realme 11 Pro+ comes in larger configurations with a maximum capacity of 1TB. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Realme 11 Pro+ is available with 12GB of RAM for heavy multitaskers. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage, so users are limited to internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Noise Cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Realme 11 Pro+ provides a much more immersive audio experience due to enhanced audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic | Basic | Both phones use a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | The vivo V21 5G includes a compass while the Realme 11 Pro+ includes a Geomagnetic sensor. Both offer a good range of features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Slimmer Design: More comfortable for extended use and smaller hands due to its lighter and thinner profile.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Potentially better for detailed selfies, particularly in low light, due to a higher megapixel count and wider aperture.
- OIS on Main Camera: Optical image stabilization (OIS) generally provides superior image and video stabilization compared to electronic image stabilization (EIS), particularly in challenging scenarios.
- Compass Sensor: Useful for navigation and location based applications.
Realme 11 Pro+ Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly more powerful chipset and GPU, providing smoother performance in gaming and demanding tasks.
- Larger and Brighter Display: More immersive viewing with a larger screen and significantly better visibility in bright sunlight due to higher brightness.
- Significantly Longer Battery Life and Faster Charging: Larger battery and much faster charging ensure all day usage and less time plugged in.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Captures images with far more detail and has a larger sensor for better low-light performance.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards for faster speeds and better connectivity.
- More Advanced Audio Features: Includes features like Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation and Stereo speakers for immersive media and clearer calls.
- Larger internal storage and RAM options: Comes with options for larger internal storage and RAM.
- Newer Android OS: Ships with a more up to date version of Android.
- Improved slow motion options: Offers far more slow motion options in video recording.
Trade-offs:
- The vivo V21 5G trades performance and battery life for a lighter build, OIS on the main camera, and a higher resolution selfie camera.
- The Realme 11 Pro+ sacrifices a compact design for better performance, battery life, camera capabilities, and a larger display. It only uses EIS instead of OIS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for vivo V21 5G:
- Users who prioritize portability and light weight: Those who value a slim and light device that is easy to carry and use one-handed.
- Selfie enthusiasts: Users who prioritize front-facing camera quality for detailed selfies.
- Users who use the camera primarily indoors: Those who rely on a good general camera experience in normal use rather than requiring exceptional low light performance.
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily communication and social media use.
- Casual photography and video recording in well-lit environments.
- Users who prefer light and comfortable handheld use.
- Ideal for users who prefer a compact form factor.
Ideal Users for Realme 11 Pro+:
- Power users and gamers: Users who require high performance for demanding tasks, multitasking, and gaming.
- Media consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos and consuming content on a larger, brighter display.
- Frequent travelers and outdoor users: Those who need long battery life, fast charging, and good screen visibility in sunlight.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want high quality images in varied lighting conditions.
- Users who prioritize audio quality: Users who desire an immersive and higher fidelity audio experience.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Watching movies and videos on the go.
- Outdoor photography and videography.
- Long days without access to a charger.
- Users who prefer a larger screen for work and entertainment.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: performance and battery life, or lightweight design? (Realme 11 Pro+ excels at the former, vivo V21 5G at the latter).
- How important are selfies and front-facing camera performance? (vivo V21 5G has a higher-resolution front camera; if this isn't important the Realme may be a better fit).
- What is your budget? (Consider the price-to-value ratio for each phone. Prices can vary.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you are a gamer who wants the most performance and the best gaming experience, the Realme 11 Pro+ is far better suited with its improved hardware, and improved display.
- Scenario 2: Casual User Who Needs a Light Device: If you prefer a light phone that is comfortable to hold and use, the vivo V21 5G is the better option, although this does come at the cost of a lower performance, smaller battery life and lower camera quality.
- Scenario 3: Photography and video enthusiasts: If camera performance is most important, the Realme 11 Pro+ is a more well-rounded device that excels in many different use cases and offers higher resolution, larger sensor camera, as well as enhanced audio features.
- Scenario 4: Users who need long battery life and fast charging: The Realme 11 Pro+ offers substantially longer battery life, and much faster charging.
What I Would Choose
Given the specifications and my preference for performance and photography capabilities, I would choose the Realme 11 Pro+. The larger, brighter display, superior performance, significantly better main camera, much longer battery life, and faster charging make it the more compelling option for my needs. I am also a heavy user of multimedia content and would prefer the enhanced audio features that the Realme 11 Pro+ offers, with the benefit of a much newer operating system. While I appreciate the lighter weight of the vivo V21 5G, the performance and camera trade-offs are too significant for my typical usage. The enhanced connectivity is also a big benefit. Therefore, the Realme 11 Pro+ aligns better with my needs and preferences overall.
