Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Realme 12 Pro+
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 noticeably thicker, impacting one-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 176g | 196g | vivo V21 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both have similar sharpness; differences are negligible in daily use. |
| PPI | 409 | 394 | Both have very similar pixel density; indiscernible difference for most users. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro+ provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. The lack of brightness specification makes it impossible to compare in this aspect. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Realme 12 Pro+ has a newer, more efficient chipset, resulting in better performance and battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 603,400 | Realme 12 Pro+ is significantly faster, handling demanding tasks and games more smoothly. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro+’s GPU provides better graphics performance for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.00µm, Sony IMX890 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a larger sensor with bigger pixels which captures more light, usually resulting in better low-light photos. |
| Front (Selfie) | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", 0.80µm, Sony IMX615 | vivo V21 5G has higher resolution front camera but the Realme 12 Pro+ has larger pixel size. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2", 0.70µm, Omnivision OV64B | Realme 12 Pro+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | vivo V21 5G has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive landscapes |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | vivo V21 5G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm, Hynix HI-846 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a wide-angle with macro functionality |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with OIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Both offer 4K recording; Realme 12 Pro+ has better slow motion capabilities but uses electronic stabilization. vivo V21 5G uses OIS |
| Features | OIS, front flash, Ultra stable video | OIS, optical zoom, RAW | Different focus for video features. Realme 12 Pro+ offers RAW capture for more post-processing control. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12 Pro+ offers significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W | 67W | Realme 12 Pro+ charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a much newer operating system. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12 Pro+ offers faster, more stable WiFi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro+ has a more modern Bluetooth version |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro+ has better location accuracy due to additional satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Realme 12 Pro+ has higher storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme 12 Pro+ provides better multitasking performance due to more RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro+ offers significantly better audio experience with richer, more immersive sound, better call clarity. |
| Other | |||
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones have similar fingerprint sensor security |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic, Proximity, Fingerprint | Realme 12 Pro+ has an extra Geomagnetic sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable for one-handed use and easier to carry.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: Potentially better detail in selfies and video calls in daylight.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro lenses: For more versatile photography without relying on software processing.
- Optical image stabilization (OIS) on all cameras: Better performance on video recording.
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Newer chipset for smoother app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Much longer battery life and faster charging times, improving convenience.
- Superior Display: Slightly larger screen with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate.
- Telephoto Lens: Enables better optical zoom and portrait shots.
- Newer Software: Android 14 offers the latest features and security updates.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide a much better sound experience.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Higher configurations for power users.
- Better Location Accuracy: Due to its support for more satellite systems.
- RAW Photography: Better for post-processing pictures.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 12 Pro+ is heavier and thicker, which might not be comfortable for everyone. It lacks a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens, while having a wide angle lens with macro capabilities. It uses EIS, while the Vivo uses OIS on all cameras.
- vivo V21 5G is older, with an older processor, battery, and software that falls short in modern performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G:
- Ideal User: Casual users who prioritize a slim, lightweight phone for daily tasks and take more selfies, or people on a tighter budget. Users more interested in wide angle photography.
- Use Cases: Social media browsing, casual photography, and video calling, users who appreciate a lightweight phone.
- Value: Provides a decent display and cameras at a lower price point (assuming it's now significantly cheaper, given the age), but the performance will be noticeable slow in comparison to new phones.
Realme 12 Pro+:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and anyone needing a reliable, high-performance phone with a focus on photography and better media experience.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, professional photography, extensive media consumption, demanding multitasking. Users who want a phone with a good audio experience.
- Value: Offers a great combination of performance, display quality, battery life, and camera flexibility for a reasonable price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life and charging speed? If you need all-day battery life and fast charging, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the clear choice.
- Do you need high performance for gaming and multitasking? The Realme 12 Pro+ has a much more powerful chipset, better for demanding tasks.
- What kind of camera versatility do you need? If having a dedicated telephoto lens is important, then the Realme 12 Pro+ is the better option. If you prefer a dedicated wide angle and macro lens, the Vivo is a better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Conscious User: If you primarily browse the web, use social media, and want the lightest phone, and don't need cutting edge performance, the vivo V21 5G (if significantly cheaper) might be adequate.
- Performance Seeker: If you play games, edit photos/videos, or frequently multitask, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the superior option.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Realme 12 Pro+ is better suited for photography due to its larger sensor, telephoto lens, and RAW support. If your main interest is selfies, the Vivo might be better. If you prefer wide angle shots, again, the Vivo may be a better choice.
- Media Lover: The Realme 12 Pro+ offers a superior experience thanks to its larger display, 120Hz refresh rate, and better audio.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 12 Pro+. The improvements in performance, battery life, camera flexibility (especially the telephoto lens), and the newer software make it a much more capable and future-proof device. While the vivo V21 5G has some merits, such as being lighter and having a dedicated wide angle and macro lens, the overall value offered by the Realme 12 Pro+ is much higher for the majority of users. The Realme 12 Pro+ provides a much better experience for most modern use cases.
