1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 147 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm | vivo V21 5G is taller and wider, while the S24 is slightly thicker. The S24 is more pocketable, while the V21 5G may feel larger in hand. |
| Weight | 176g | 167g | S24 is slightly lighter, potentially making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Samsung S24 offers superior scratch and drop resistance on the screen, improving durability and longevity. The V21 5G screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.44" | 6.2" | V21 5G has a slightly larger display, better for media consumption, while S24 is more compact for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both have similar resolutions, providing sharp images. The difference in pixel density is negligible for most users. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 409 | 416 | Very similar pixel density, both offer sharp images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | V21 5G has an AMOLED display offering better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours than the S24's unknown technology (Likely AMOLED but not confirmed). |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24 offers smoother scrolling and animations, providing a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24 offers vastly superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, while the V21 5G may be difficult to see in direct light. The V21 5G's brightness is incorrectly reported. It is likely lower than the S24. |
Performance
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24's chipset offers significantly superior performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 1,639,695 | S24 provides dramatically better performance, showing a huge difference in raw power that translates to a significantly better user experience in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) - USA/Canada/China (Xclipse 940) | S24's GPU delivers superior graphics performance, leading to better gaming and graphically intensive application performance. |
Camera
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79, 0.80µm pixel size | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor, 1.00µm pixel size | S24 has larger pixels and sensor, leading to better low-light performance and image quality despite lower megapixel count. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP f/2.0, 1/2.65" sensor, 0.70µm pixel size | 12MP f/2.2, pixel size unknown | V21 5G has a higher resolution sensor, but the S24 sensor is of higher quality, leading to improved image quality and low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP f/2.4, 1/3.9" sensor, 1.00µm pixel size | S24 has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom capabilities, absent from V21 5G, useful for capturing distant subjects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2 | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.40µm pixel size | S24 has a higher resolution wide-angle lens with larger pixels, capturing more details and better low-light performance. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | V21 5G has a dedicated macro lens, enabling close-up photography not available on the S24. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with OIS, 1080p@30/60fps with OIS | 8K@24/30fps HDR, EIS, stereo sound, 4K@30/60fps with HDR, EIS, stereo sound, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@240fps | S24 offers significantly better video recording capabilities, with higher resolution, HDR support, EIS for stabilization and stereo sound. |
| Features | OIS, 4k Video, Digital Zoom, etc | OIS, 8k/4k Video, Optical Zoom, RAW, Night Mode, etc | S24 offers advanced features including 8k Video, RAW capture and optical zoom and night mode capabilities, better for professional and enthusiast users. |
Battery
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4000mAh | Similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life, although real-world performance will vary based on usage and software optimization. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 25W fast charging | V21 5G charges faster, reducing the amount of time needed to recharge the phone. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | S24 has bypass charging allowing it to be powered directly without charging the battery and reverse charging to charge other devices, making it more versatile for power management. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | S24 has a much newer OS, receiving the latest features and security updates, also promising to receive OS updates for a longer time, ensuring a more modern and secure experience. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | S24 supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi with the latest standard and better performance in crowded networks, while the V21 5G is limited to older standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.3 LE | S24 has a newer version of Bluetooth, offering improved connection stability and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, L1+L5 | S24 provides more accurate location tracking due to its support for additional satellite systems and frequencies. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM / eSIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | S24 supports eSIM, offering more flexibility for travel and carrier switching, while V21 5G supports two physical SIMs. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB | S24 offers more storage for users with large media libraries. Both phones do not have expandable storage, so choose appropriately. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | S24 can handle more demanding tasks and multitasking smoother due to higher RAM options, especially the 12GB version. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S24 provides better audio quality for calls, videos, and music due to better audio features, like stereo speakers and noise canceling microphone. |
Security & Sensors
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Security | Fingerprint (basic) | Fingerprint (basic) | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S24 offers more environmental sensors, useful for advanced tracking and use cases, the V21 5G includes fingerprint reader while S24 does not. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: Offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience for media.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging allows quicker recharges.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 44MP front camera captures more detailed selfies.
- Macro Lens: Includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Potentially lower price: Being an older model, it is likely cheaper now.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides significantly better performance for all tasks.
- Better Display: 120Hz refresh rate, higher brightness, superior outdoor visibility.
- Advanced Camera System: Optical zoom, better low-light performance, 8K video recording.
- More Camera Features: Night mode, Raw capture.
- Newer OS & Software Support: Android 14 with longer update support.
- More Storage & RAM options: up to 512GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, providing more future-proofing.
- Better Connectivity: Latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards.
- Advanced Features: eSIM support, bypass charging, reverse charging, superior screen protection.
- Better Audio: Includes stereo speakers and noise cancelling microphone for better audio quality and calls.
Trade-offs:
- vivo V21 5G: While it has a larger screen and higher resolution selfie camera and macro lens, it lags significantly behind in overall performance, display quality, and camera capabilities when compared to the Samsung.
- Samsung Galaxy S24: Its smaller display and slower charging might be drawbacks for some, plus it lacks a dedicated macro lens. It is likely more expensive compared to the older vivo.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Looking for a phone with a large display and a decent selfie camera at a lower price point.
- Casual Users: Users with basic smartphone needs, mostly web browsing, social media, and occasional photography.
- Users who prefer a macro camera: People who need to be able to take close-up photos.
- Those who prioritize fast charging over performance: People who need to be able to recharge quickly.
Use Cases: Basic social media use, casual photography, video streaming.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Need top-tier performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Desire advanced camera features like optical zoom, better low-light performance, and 8K video.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Want the latest software, connectivity, and overall tech experience.
- Users who want their phone to last a long time: People who want the most updates for the longest time.
- Users who use their phones outside a lot: The S24s superior screen brightness will be very useful.
Use Cases: Gaming, high-quality photography and videography, professional use, power-user multitasking, long-term usage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is performance and future-proofing to you? If you need a top-tier experience and plan on keeping the phone for several years, the S24 is the better option.
- What are your primary photography needs? If close-up shots are important, the V21 5G has the edge with its macro lens, although for everything else, the S24 is superior. If you need optical zoom, 8k video, night mode, and generally better photos in most scenarios, the S24 is the winner.
- What is your budget? The V21 5G, as an older phone, may have a significant price advantage. If budget is a primary concern, the V21 5G might be worth considering.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget:
- Recommendation: The vivo V21 5G offers a large screen and decent selfie camera for a lower cost. If top-tier performance isn't a priority and your budget is very tight, this might be the more sensible choice.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Multimedia:
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy S24 is the clear winner due to its superior processor, GPU, and 120Hz display. This will provide the best experience for games, videos and demanding multimedia tasks.
- Scenario 3: Photography and Videography:
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy S24, with its advanced camera system, 8K video, and optical zoom, is more suited for high-quality photography and videography.
- Scenario 4: Long-Term Use:
- Recommendation: The S24 with its newer OS and better software support, as well as its better chipset and more RAM options, will last longer and continue to receive updates for years to come.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24. While the vivo V21 5G has its advantages, particularly the larger screen and lower likely price tag, the S24 excels in nearly every other aspect. The performance difference between the two phones is night and day, meaning a drastically different user experience. The display on the S24 with its 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness makes it a joy to use, especially outside in the sun. The camera system is significantly better with more zoom options and better video recording. I also value having an up-to-date OS that will continue to receive updates for several years. The additional storage and RAM options provide a future proofing I find very valuable. While the lack of a macro camera might be a downside for some, the overall capabilities of the S24 make it a much more compelling choice.
