1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Realme 12 Pro is slightly taller and thicker, might feel bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 176g | 190g | vivo V21 5G is lighter, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both offer similar sharpness; differences are negligible to the human eye. |
| PPI | 409 | 394 | Both have similar pixel density, providing sharp images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display tech, expecting vibrant colors and deep blacks from both. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid experience, especially for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 12 Pro has dramatically better screen visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Realme 12 Pro has a newer, more efficient chipset, leading to better performance and battery efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 343,150 | 574,000 | Realme 12 Pro offers significantly better performance (67% higher score), for apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro's GPU will likely provide better graphics performance, especially for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP | 50MP | vivo V21 5G has slightly higher resolution, which might offer better detail in optimal conditions. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | vivo V21 5G's wider aperture might perform slightly better in low-light. |
| Main Camera Sensor | Unknown | Sony IMX882 1/2" | Realme 12 Pro uses a known sensor; 1/2" size means better light capture compared to a smaller sensor size if the vivo's sensor is smaller. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 0.70 µm | vivo V21 5G's slightly larger pixels might capture more light individually, good for low light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 16MP | vivo V21 5G has a much higher resolution selfie camera for greater detail in selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.4 | vivo V21 5G's wider aperture might result in better low-light selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.65" | Unknown | vivo V21 5G has a larger sensor in the selfie camera, better light capture and likely better quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP (Sony IMX709) | Realme 12 Pro has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, a big advantage for versatility. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | None | vivo V21 5G has a dedicated wide-angle lens to capture more of the scene. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | vivo V21 5G has a macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 8MP (Sony IMX355) | Realme 12 Pro has a combined wide-angle and macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps (OIS), 1080p@30/60fps (OIS) | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@30/60/120fps (EIS) | Both capture 4K video; Realme offers 1080p at 120fps, but lacks OIS. vivo offers OIS at 4k and 1080p, better for stable handheld video. |
| Features | OIS, Ultra Stable Video, Front Flash | OIS, Optical Zoom | Realme 12 Pro has an optical zoom, while the vivo V21 5G offers a front flash and ultra-stable video mode. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12 Pro has a significantly larger battery, likely offering much better battery life. |
| Charging | 33W | 67W | Realme 12 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro has a more up-to-date Android version with the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12 Pro has a newer Wi-Fi standard for faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro supports more satellite systems, offering improved location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | Realme 12 Pro offers more base storage, 512GB vs 256 GB maximum. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme 12 Pro offers an option for more RAM which could be good for multitasking and games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro offers significantly enhanced audio features for music, movies, and calls. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both feature a standard fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | vivo V21 5G includes a Compass sensor which could be helpful in some navigation use cases. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Captures highly detailed selfies, great for social media enthusiasts.
- Wider Aperture Main Camera and Selfie: Potentially better low-light performance in main and selfie camera.
- Wide Angle and Macro lens: More versatile camera system for landscape and detailed close up shots.
- OIS on All Video modes: Provides more stable video recording.
- Front Flash: Improves low-light selfies.
- Compass sensor: Could be helpful in some navigation use cases.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Newer and More Powerful Chipset: Significantly better overall performance and efficiency.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience.
- Brighter Display: Superior outdoor visibility.
- Larger Battery: Much longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Quick charging minimizes downtime.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities, enhancing versatility for distant shots.
- Modern Android Version: Android 14 offers the latest features and security updates.
- Superior Audio Features: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers provide an enhanced audio experience.
- More Base Storage: More storage to start with.
- More RAM: More multitasking and gaming capabilities.
- Newer WiFi and Bluetooth: Faster and more stable wireless connections.
- Additional Satellite GPS support: More accurate location tracking.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 12 Pro is heavier and bulkier.
- The vivo V21 5G lacks a telephoto camera, and has a smaller battery.
- The vivo V21 5G has an older OS and is an older phone.
- The Realme 12 Pro has EIS instead of OIS for video recording, although it also offers 120fps 1080p, while the Vivo V21 5G caps out at 60fps.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G Ideal User:
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-resolution, low-light selfies and use front-facing cameras frequently.
- Casual Users: Users who prioritize lightweight design and stable videos but don't require high-end gaming or intensive performance.
- Users on a Tight Budget: May be available at a lower price than newer models due to its age, providing a decent experience at a cost saving.
- Users Who value OIS: Users who need very stable video capture.
Use Cases:
- Social media content creation (especially selfies and vlogs).
- Day-to-day communication and browsing.
- Casual photography with a focus on close up and landscape shots.
Realme 12 Pro Ideal User:
- Power Users and Gamers: Need a phone for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming with a powerful processor and smooth screen.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos, listening to music, and want a vibrant display and great audio quality.
- Photographers: Those who value versatility in camera zoom range and low light performance.
- Users who value longer battery life: Users who need a phone to last all day.
- Users who want the latest software: Users who want the latest features and security updates.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and high-performance applications.
- High-quality multimedia consumption (movies, music, streaming).
- All-day photography and videography, including optical zoom and low light.
- Demanding work and productivity tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: battery life and performance or better selfie quality and lighter design? If battery and performance are paramount, the Realme 12 Pro is the clear choice. If you need a lightweight phone with great selfies, the vivo V21 5G excels.
- Do you need optical zoom, or is a wide and macro lens sufficient? The Realme 12 Pro has a telephoto lens, whereas the vivo V21 5G has a wide and macro lens.
- How important is the latest software version and future software updates? The Realme 12 Pro runs on a newer Android OS which is more future-proof.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User who likes selfies and OIS: If you mostly take selfies, enjoy stable video recordings, and require a lightweight phone, the vivo V21 5G is suitable for you.
- Scenario 2: Power User with all day battery needs: If you play demanding games, watch a lot of videos, and need all day battery life, the Realme 12 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Photographer needing Zoom capabilities: If you need a zoom lens and can trade OIS for EIS in video recording, then the Realme 12 Pro is the way to go.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious User: If you are on a strict budget, it will depend on the prices available at the time of purchase.
My Choice
Given the choice, I would choose the Realme 12 Pro. Here's why:
While the vivo V21 5G has some strengths like a better selfie camera on paper and it being more lightweight and thinner, the Realme 12 Pro offers a more complete package for my needs. The significantly better processor, larger battery, faster charging, smoother display, better audio, and more versatile camera system (including optical zoom) are all features that I value more. The Realme 12 Pro's improved performance and modern software also make it a more future-proof option. I would prefer to trade the slightly better selfie camera and lighter design for all those benefits. The improvements to the screen and audio, combined with a much longer battery life are compelling enough for me to pick the Realme 12 Pro.
