Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the two phones, focusing on practical user experience:
Design & Build
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 162.3 × 79 × 8.6 mm | S24 Ultra is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 176g | 232g | V21 5G is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | S24 Ultra offers much superior screen protection against scratches and damage. |
Display
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.44" | 6.8" | S24 Ultra provides a more immersive viewing experience due to the larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3120 | S24 Ultra has a much sharper display with finer details. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 505 PPI | S24 Ultra's text and images will appear noticeably crisper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | V21 5G's AMOLED offers superior contrast and vibrant colors; S24 Ultra display technology is not provided. | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24 Ultra offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24 Ultra is dramatically better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24 Ultra has a much more powerful and efficient processor, providing faster app loading, better multitasking, and superior gaming capabilities. |
| Antutu Score | 343,150 | 1,814,869 | S24 Ultra offers significantly faster performance in all tasks, including demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | S24 Ultra's GPU will provide a significantly better gaming experience. |
Camera
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.80µm | 200MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3", 1.00µm | S24 Ultra captures much more detailed images and allows for greater cropping and editing flexibility, performs better in low-light conditions. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | N/A | 50MP, f/2.4, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | S24 Ultra has a dedicated lens for portrait mode and telephoto zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 12MP, f/2.2 | V21 5G offers higher resolution for detailed selfies; aperture indicates better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 10MP, f/3.4, 1/3.52", 1.12µm | S24 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | S24 Ultra captures wider scenes with more detail. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | V21 5G includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with OIS | 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | S24 Ultra provides significantly better video recording capabilities, offering higher resolution and advanced features like HDR and stereo sound. |
| DXOMARK | N/A | Mobile: 144, Photo: 144, Video: 137 | S24 Ultra camera performance scores far higher in DXOMARK benchmarks. |
| Camera Features | OIS, 4K video, Digital Zoom | OIS, 8K video, Optical zoom, Night Mode, RAW, Digital Zoom | S24 Ultra has more advanced features like 8k video, Optical zoom, Night mode and RAW capture. |
Battery
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | S24 Ultra has a significantly larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | S24 Ultra charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging (15W), Reverse Wireless Charging (4.5W), Non-removable | S24 Ultra has additional battery features including wireless and reverse charging. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | S24 Ultra has a much newer OS version, benefiting from newer features, security patches, and better performance optimizations. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E | S24 Ultra supports newer WiFi standards, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | S24 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version, offering improved efficiency and performance. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | S24 Ultra has more satellite systems support for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | S24 Ultra supports eSIM for added convenience and flexibility. |
Storage and RAM
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB or 1024 GB | S24 Ultra offers more storage options for storing more data, apps, and media. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | S24 Ultra offers more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and handling of demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
Audio & Security
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S24 Ultra offers clearer calls and better audio output with noise cancellation and stereo speakers. |
| Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones feature a basic fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
Sensors
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S24 Ultra offers a more comprehensive suite of sensors providing more data for advanced features and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: The V21 5G is significantly lighter (176g vs 232g) and thinner (7.3mm vs 8.6mm), making it more comfortable to hold and carry.
- Potentially Better Selfie Camera: Higher megapixel count (44MP vs 12MP) and a wider aperture (f/2.0 vs f/2.2) on the front-facing camera may lead to superior selfie image quality in low light conditions.
- Macro Lens: Includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography which S24 Ultra lacks.
- AMOLED Display: Offers potentially better display contrast and color vibrancy than the unspecified display tech of the S24 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers dramatically better processing power, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance (Antutu score of 1,814,869 vs 343,150).
- Much Higher Resolution Display: Higher resolution and pixel density lead to a much sharper and more detailed screen experience.
- Far Superior Outdoor Visibility: The 2600 nits brightness provides much better outdoor viewing.
- Significantly Better Camera System: The S24 Ultra's main camera (200MP vs 64MP), telephoto, and wide-angle lenses provide more versatile and higher-quality images and videos. It also features 8K recording.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: A larger 5000mAh battery and 45W fast charging offer extended battery life and quicker charging times, along with wireless and reverse charging capabilities.
- Newer Software and Connectivity: Ships with Android 14 and offers improved Wi-Fi (6E) and Bluetooth (5.3) standards.
- More RAM and Storage: Offers more RAM (12GB) and storage options (up to 1024GB) for improved performance and data storage.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Armor offers better protection against scratches and damages to the display.
- Advanced Audio: Features Stereo speakers and noise cancellation microphone, which the V21 5G lacks.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a barometer, Hall sensor, and Geomagnetic sensor, in addition to standard sensors.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The V21 5G sacrifices performance and camera quality for a lighter design.
- The S24 Ultra is significantly more expensive than the V21 5G, and is bulkier and heavier.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a more affordable phone.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: Those who prefer a lighter, thinner phone for ease of use and carrying.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Users who take a lot of selfies and appreciate a high-resolution front camera for social media use.
- Users who enjoy close-up photography Appreciate the inclusion of a macro lens.
- Casual Users: Those with light daily usage who don't require cutting edge performance or camera features.
Use Cases for vivo V21 5G:
- Everyday social media browsing and use.
- Basic photography and video recording for personal use.
- Lightweight gaming and app usage.
- Comfortable and long duration use and portability.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who demand top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Professional Photographers: Users who need the best camera system for versatile and high-quality photo and video capture.
- Users Wanting The Best Display: Those who prioritize a large, sharp, and bright display for media consumption.
- Users Wanting The Best Battery Life: Need a phone with extended battery and quick charging
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who want the newest features and specifications.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Professional-grade photography and videography.
- Demanding gaming with high graphical fidelity.
- Productivity tasks like video editing, document creation, and complex calculations.
- Immersive media consumption for movies and TV shows.
- Outdoor usage in very bright sunlight conditions.
- Heavy daily usage requiring superior battery and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should ask themselves:
- What is my budget? The S24 Ultra is significantly more expensive than the V21 5G.
- How important is performance and camera quality? If these are critical, the S24 Ultra is the clear choice.
- What do I value more - portability or cutting-edge technology and features? The V21 5G prioritizes portability, while the S24 Ultra prioritizes cutting-edge specs and features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Casual User: If you need a capable smartphone for everyday use without breaking the bank, the vivo V21 5G is a good option, sacrificing power for cost and lightweight design.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast or Power User: If you need the best camera, performance, and display, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the only suitable choice, especially if you are willing to pay a premium.
- Scenario 3: Prioritizing Comfort and Portability: If you prefer a lighter and more comfortable to hold phone, the vivo V21 5G is better, although it will sacrifice in performance, battery and camera performance.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. While I appreciate the lighter weight and the macro camera of the vivo V21 5G, the S24 Ultra provides a far superior overall experience. As a daily driver, the advantages in performance, battery life, display quality, and camera capabilities are far more valuable to me. The S24 Ultra offers a more future-proof device that would perform well in demanding scenarios. I also appreciate advanced connectivity features, such as Wi-Fi 6E and better location accuracy using more satellite systems. While the price difference is significant, the improved user experience and the future proofing of the S24 Ultra are worth the premium cost. The S24 Ultra aligns better with my needs as a power user and tech enthusiast and delivers better results in every single category except for the weight and macro lens.
