vivo V21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M55 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date May 6, 2021 March 28, 2024
Release Year 2021 2024

Physical

Volume 86.15 cm³ 97.8 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.66 "/g 3.72 "/g
Weight 176 g 180 g
Height 159.7 mm 163.9 mm
Width 73.9 mm 76.5 mm
Thickness 7.3 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Arctic White
  • Dusk Blue
  • Sunset Dazzle
  • Light Green
  • Dark Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.44 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.8 % 86.4 %
Pixel Density 409 PPI 393 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness 500 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 96.45 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.43 mAh/cm³ 51.13 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Mali-G57 MC3 Adreno 644

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 14
Maximum OS Version

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Featurevivo V21 5GSamsung Galaxy M55Practical Impact
Design
Launch Date2021-05-062024-03-28The Samsung Galaxy M55 is significantly newer, likely having more up-to-date software and features.
Dimensions159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm163.9 × 76.5 × 7.8 mmThe M55 is slightly larger and thicker, potentially making it less comfortable for single-handed use.
Weight176g180gBoth have a very similar weight, with a negligible difference.
Display
Size6.44"6.7"The M55 offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking.
Resolution1080x24001080x2400Both displays offer the same level of sharpness, with clear visuals.
PPI409393The V21 has a negligibly higher pixel density, which won't be noticeable in day to day use.
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth use AMOLED for vibrant colors and deep blacks.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzThe M55 has a smoother scrolling experience and more fluid animations.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsPeak brightness is unknown for both, making outdoor visibility performance unclear.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)The M55's newer Snapdragon chip offers significantly better performance, faster app loading, and better power efficiency.
AnTuTu Score343,150698,000The M55 has more than double the benchmark score, indicating much better overall performance.
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 644The M55's Adreno GPU provides superior gaming performance and better graphics rendering.
Camera
Standard Lens64MP f/1.7950MP f/1.8The V21 has a higher resolution sensor and slightly wider aperture; the practical difference will depend on image processing algorithms.
Selfie Lens44MP f/2.0, 1/2.65", 0.70µm50MP f/2.2The M55 has higher resolution, but the V21 has a wider aperture and larger sensor; low-light performance may differ significantly between them.
Wide Angle Lens8MP f/2.28MP f/2.2, 1.12µmBoth have comparable wide-angle cameras; the M55 has larger pixel size.
Macro Lens2MP f/2.42MP f/2.4Both have basic macro lenses for close-up shots.
VideoUp to 4K@30fps with OISUp to 4K@30fps with OIS, EISBoth offer similar quality recording, but the M55 has both OIS and EIS, potentially offering more stable video.
Slow-Motion Video120 fps240 fpsThe M55 can record higher framerate slow-motion video.
Camera FeaturesOIS, PDAF, HDR, digital zoom etc; Additional features: Ultra stable video, Front FlashOIS, EIS, PDAF, HDR, digital zoom etcThe V21 has an additional front flash and "ultra stable" mode; the M55 has EIS.
Battery
Capacity4000mAh5000mAhThe M55 has a significantly larger battery, leading to longer battery life.
Charging33W fast charging, Li-Polymer45W fast charging, Li-IonThe M55 charges faster and has a more modern charging technology.
Software
OSAndroid 11Android 14The M55 has a much newer Android version, providing access to the latest features and security updates.
Connectivity
WiFiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6The M55 supports faster and more efficient WiFi 6.
BluetoothBluetooth 5.1Bluetooth 5.2The M55 has a newer Bluetooth standard offering better reliability and range.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC SystemThe M55 has a more comprehensive GPS system with support for additional satellite systems, leading to better location accuracy.
SIMDual Nano SIMDual Nano SIMBoth support dual SIM functionality for two phone numbers on one device.
Storage
Internal128/256 GB128/256 GBBoth come with similar storage options, either 128GB or 256 GB.
RAM8 GB8 GBBoth have 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for smooth multitasking and app performance.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage.
Audio
QualityBasicDolby AtmosThe M55 offers superior audio quality with Dolby Atmos support.
Security
FingerprintBasic fingerprint sensorBasic fingerprint sensorBoth have standard fingerprint sensors.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 5The M55 uses Gorilla Glass 5 which provides a much more durable screen.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, GeomagneticThe M55 has a geomagnetic sensor offering more functionality.

2. Key Differences Analysis

vivo V21 5G Advantages:

  • Potentially Better Selfie Camera (Low-Light): Although lower resolution, the larger sensor and wider aperture may provide better selfie quality in low light conditions, but without tests, this can't be concluded.
  • Front Flash: Useful for better selfies in very dark conditions.
  • Slightly Lighter: Weighs slightly less than the Samsung Galaxy M55.

Samsung Galaxy M55 Advantages:

  • Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset provides a much faster and smoother experience in all tasks.
  • Longer Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery provides noticeably better endurance for all-day usage.
  • Faster Charging: 45W charging reduces the amount of time the phone needs to be plugged in.
  • Newer Software: Android 14 provides the latest features and security updates.
  • Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for a more fluid visual experience.
  • Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos provides an enhanced audio experience for music and videos.
  • Superior Connectivity: WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offer faster and more efficient wireless connections.
  • Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 ensures better protection from scratches and damage.
  • More Accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location tracking.
  • More Stable Video Recording: Offers both OIS and EIS for smoother video footage.

Trade-offs:

  • The V21 has a slightly better selfie camera on paper and slightly better primary camera, however, the M55 makes up for it with better post-processing capabilities.
  • The M55 is slightly larger and heavier than the V21.
  • The V21's advantage is that it has a front-facing flash which might be important for some users.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

vivo V21 5G Ideal User:

  • Users who prioritize selfie quality and may often take photos in low-light environments.
  • Users who don't need the very best in performance and are willing to trade performance for potentially better front camera.
  • Users who prefer slightly lighter devices.
  • Users on a tight budget looking for an older device.

Use Cases:

*   Casual social media users focused on selfies and everyday snapshots.
*   Users who prioritize basic smartphone functionality and are less demanding of processing power.

Samsung Galaxy M55 Ideal User:

  • Users who prioritize overall performance and want a snappy and responsive experience.
  • Users who value a smooth display for media consumption and gaming.
  • Users who need all-day battery life and faster charging.
  • Users who value the latest software features and security updates.
  • Users who want the best video recording experience with both OIS and EIS.
  • Users who play mobile games and want the best gaming experience in the budget segment.
  • Users who prioritize more modern connectivity standards such as WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

Use Cases:

*   Frequent gamers or users who run demanding applications.
*   Users who watch a lot of videos or consume multimedia.
*   Users who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day and want long battery life.
*   Users who record a lot of videos and value stability.
*   Users who travel a lot and need the best possible GPS.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Performance Needs: How important is high performance for my daily tasks and gaming?
  2. Battery Life: Do I prioritize battery endurance and fast charging for all-day use?
  3. Software Preference: Do I need the latest features and security updates provided by Android 14?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget-Conscious User: If you're on a very tight budget and need a basic phone with a decent front-facing camera, the vivo V21 5G might be a reasonable option, but keep in mind that its performance and software are outdated.
  • Performance and Multimedia User: If you need the best performance for gaming and multimedia, along with long battery life and modern features, the Samsung Galaxy M55 is the clear choice.
  • Selfie Lover (Low Light): If you prioritize selfie quality, especially in low light, the vivo V21 might be a better choice. However, the actual low light capabilities of each phone can vary based on post processing.

My Choice: I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M55. While the vivo V21 5G has some advantages in the front camera, the overall package of the Samsung Galaxy M55 is far superior for the average user. The significantly better performance, longer battery life, faster charging, newer software, smoother display, better connectivity, and enhanced audio experience makes it a more future-proof and all-around better phone. The M55 also has a more comprehensive GPS system, more stable video recording, and better screen protection. The newer chipset and software on the M55 will ensure a smoother user experience and will also receive more updates compared to the much older V21 5G. While the V21's selfie camera has some potential, the superior performance and the additional features offered by the M55 make it the better choice for me.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.