1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | V21 is taller, S21 FE is slightly wider and thicker, but the difference is minimal. |
| Weight | 176g | 177g | Negligible difference, both feel very similar in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.4" | Virtually identical screen size; minimal difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Very similar clarity; minor difference. |
| PPI | 409 | 403 | Almost identical pixel density; both screens look very sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Similar vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S21 FE offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | S21 FE is much more visible under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | S21 FE provides significantly faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 923,836 | S21 FE offers a much higher level of overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 660 | S21 FE provides superior graphics performance, especially in games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | S21 FE likely offers longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 25W fast charging | V21 charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W, Non-removable, No charger in-box | S21 FE offers more versatile charging options. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm | 12MP, f/1.8, 1.80µm, 1/1.76" sensor | S21 FE's larger pixels and sensor size may lead to better low-light performance, despite lower resolution. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.00µm | S21 FE has zoom capabilities that V21 lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.80µm | V21 has a higher resolution selfie camera and a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | None | V21 can capture wider scenes without an additional mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | V21 can take dedicated macro shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | S21 FE has a combined wide and macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with OIS | 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps with HDR, EIS | S21 FE offers higher frame rate 4K recording and advanced video features. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | N/A | 117 (Photo: 119, Video: 107) | S21 FE has a benchmark score indicating decent camera quality. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | N/A | 127 (Photo: 126, Video: 130) | S21 FE has a benchmark score indicating decent selfie quality. |
| Features | OIS, 4K video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Front Flash | OIS, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | S21 FE offers more advanced features and manual controls for photography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to 16 | S21 FE provides a newer OS version and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | S21 FE has faster and more reliable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | V21 has slightly more recent Bluetooth version. S21 FE supports more bluetooth profiles. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Similar storage options. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6/8 GB | S21 FE has options for either 6GB or 8GB RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | S21 FE has superior audio with enhanced features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer standard biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S21 FE provides better screen scratch and drop protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S21 FE includes additional environmental sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Slightly faster charging: 33W vs 25W for faster top-ups.
- Higher resolution selfie camera: 44MP vs 32MP, might be useful for detail-oriented selfies
- Wider selfie aperture: f/2.0 vs f/2.2, potentially better low-light selfies.
- Dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses: More creative shooting options.
- Front Flash : Better selfie option in low lighting conditions.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Advantages:
- Significantly more powerful chipset: Snapdragon 888 for much better performance in demanding tasks and gaming.
- Higher display refresh rate: 120Hz vs 90Hz for smoother visuals.
- Much brighter display: 1300 nits vs unspecified, vastly superior outdoor visibility.
- Larger battery capacity: 4500mAh vs 4000mAh, longer battery life.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging : More versatile charging options.
- Telephoto lens: Optical zoom capabilities
- Combined Wide Angle + Macro: More versatile lens
- Superior video recording capabilities: 4K at 60fps, EIS, HDR.
- Better audio experience: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.
- More advanced camera features: RAW shooting, Night Mode, Manual focus.
- Newer OS and longer software support: Android 12 with upgrades to 16.
- Better build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus Protection
- Wi-Fi 6 support and more bluetooth profiles.
- Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic Sensors
Practical Implications:
- The V21 excels in selfie camera hardware and charging speeds.
- The S21 FE outshines in virtually every other aspect, particularly performance, display quality, battery life, and overall camera versatility.
Trade-offs:
- V21: Sacrifices overall performance and display quality for slightly better front camera specifications and faster wired charging.
- S21 FE: Lacks dedicated macro lens and has a slightly slower wired charging, but this is offset by the advanced features of other areas.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for vivo V21 5G:
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize front camera quality above all else.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a decent smartphone at a lower price point.
- Basic Users: Individuals with less demanding usage patterns.
Specific Use Cases for vivo V21 5G:
- Regular social media users who frequently take and share selfies.
- Users who require good front-facing camera in low-light situations.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Gamers, power users, and multitaskers.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who prioritize a high-quality display and great audio.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile camera capabilities.
- Users looking for future proof phone.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Watching movies or videos, casual social media use with a smoother display.
- Capturing photos and videos in a variety of conditions.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The vivo V21 5G is likely to be more affordable, but the S21 FE 5G offers much better value for those willing to pay extra, given the large differences in performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is overall performance (gaming, multitasking)? If high performance is critical, the S21 FE is the clear choice.
- How often will you use the phone outdoors in bright sunlight? The S21 FE's display is dramatically brighter making it much better for outdoor use.
- How important are front-facing camera and its low-light capabilities? The V21 has a better selfie camera on paper, but S21 FE has other advantages.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget and Casual Use: If you need an affordable phone primarily for social media and don't need advanced features, the V21 might be sufficient.
- Performance and Versatility: If you want a high performance phone with superior display, great camera and audio, the S21 FE is the better option.
- Photography and Videography: If you want the most versatile camera experience with better image quality and advanced features, the S21 FE is the better option.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
While the vivo V21 5G has a slightly better selfie camera on paper, the S21 FE excels in practically every other area that I consider essential. The enormous difference in processing power with the Snapdragon 888 ensures much better performance for everyday tasks, especially for gaming, which is a common activity. The brighter 120Hz display, superior video recording, larger battery and the availability of wireless charging, as well as overall camera versatility make it a better choice for me. Moreover, the longer software support ensures that the S21 FE remains relevant for a longer period.
