1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-05-06 | 2024-07-03 | vivo V40 is significantly newer, benefiting from newer tech. |
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 164.2 × 75 × 7.6 mm | V40 is larger and slightly thicker; V21 5G is more compact. |
| Weight | 176g | 190g | V21 5G is lighter, making it slightly more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.78" | V40 has a noticeably larger screen, better for media consumption & multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | V40 has a much sharper display with more detail. |
| PPI | 409 | 453 | V40 has higher pixel density, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | V40 has a smoother display, enhancing the scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 4500 nits | V40 is drastically brighter, greatly improving outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | V40 has a much more powerful and efficient chipset, significantly improving performance for gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 855,000 | V40 offers substantially better performance in real-world use; apps load faster and are much smoother overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 720 | V40's GPU provides superior graphics capabilities, especially for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) Res | 64MP | 50MP | V21 5G has higher resolution but V40 has a larger sensor with larger pixels. Image quality would be better with the V40 due to sensor size and pixel size. |
| Rear (Main) Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.88 | V21 5G has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Rear (Main) Sensor Size | 1/1.56" | V40 has a larger sensor, resulting in better light gathering. | |
| Rear (Main) Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | V40 has a larger pixel size, resulting in better low light image quality. |
| Selfie (Res) | 44MP | 50MP | V40 has slightly higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Selfie (Aperture) | f/2.0 | f/2.0 | Both have identical apertures. |
| Selfie (Sensor Size) | 1/2.65" | 1/2.76" | V21 5G has a slightly larger sensor for selfies |
| Selfie (Pixel Size) | 0.70 µm | 0.64 µm | V21 5G has larger pixels for better low light selfies |
| Wide Angle (Res) | 8MP | 50MP | V40 has a much higher resolution ultrawide camera. |
| Wide Angle (Aperture) | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | V21 5G has a wider aperture. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | None | V21 5G has a dedicated macro lens, V40 does not. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with OIS, 1080p@30fps with OIS, 1080p@60fps with OIS | 4K@30fps with OIS, EIS, 1080p@30fps with OIS, EIS | Both have similar video recording capabilities. The V40 additionally uses EIS for extra stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5500mAh | V40 has much larger battery, likely offering significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 80W fast charging | V40 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | V40 has a newer OS with more features and better security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | V40 has newer Wi-Fi standard for faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.4 | V40 uses the newest Bluetooth version with updated features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | V40 supports more satellite systems for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | V40 supports eSIM for extra flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | V40 offers more storage for your files. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | V40 has more RAM for better multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Other | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Basic | No significant differences. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both have basic fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Wider aperture on main and wide angle camera: Better low light capabilities.
- Macro Lens: A dedicated macro camera for close-up photography.
- Slightly larger selfie sensor: May produce slightly better selfies in low light conditions.
Practical Implications:
- The V21 5G is easier to carry around and use with one hand. The inclusion of a macro lens is beneficial for users interested in close-up photography. The larger aperture on the main camera and the selfie camera's larger sensor may offer better low light performance.
vivo V40 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset offers a substantial performance increase, ideal for demanding apps and games.
- Larger and Sharper Display: The higher resolution and larger screen provide a superior viewing experience.
- Much Brighter Display: The display is much brighter making it much more usable in sunny conditions.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother animations and scrolling for a more fluid user experience.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Much longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: Significantly reduces downtime while charging.
- Higher-Resolution Ultrawide Camera: Offers much more detailed wide-angle shots.
- Newer OS and Connectivity Standards: Benefits from the latest features and security updates.
- More RAM and Storage: 50% More RAM and double or 4x the storage.
Practical Implications:
- The V40 is much more powerful, suitable for heavy multitasking and gaming. The larger, higher resolution, and brighter display offer a better multimedia experience. Much longer battery life and faster charging improve convenience, especially for users on the go. The higher resolution ultrawide camera captures more detail when using this feature.
Trade-offs:
- The V21 5G is slightly more pocketable and has a macro camera, which is missing on the V40, and a slightly larger sensor on its selfie camera. The V40 is significantly heavier and bulkier.
- The V40 trades a macro lens for a higher quality ultrawide camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G - Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight phone.
- Users on a tight budget but still want a 5G capable phone.
- Users who enjoy macro photography.
- Users who want a larger selfie sensor size for low light conditions.
Use Cases:
- Everyday social media and browsing.
- Basic photography, including macro shots.
- Comfortable for single-handed use.
vivo V40 - Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance and gaming.
- Users who consume a lot of multimedia content.
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Users who want the latest software and connectivity features.
- Users who take a lot of photos using the ultrawide camera.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Watching videos and streaming movies.
- Professional photography that makes use of a high-resolution ultrawide camera.
- Users with long days and require a long lasting battery.
Price-to-Value:
- The V21 5G will likely be cheaper and is a good value for those on a tight budget.
- The V40 offers significantly more for the price due to its superior performance, display and battery life. It offers a significantly better user experience and future-proofing.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is portability to you? Do you need a compact and lightweight phone, or are you comfortable with a larger device?
- What are your primary use cases? Do you mainly use your phone for basic tasks, or do you need it for heavy gaming and multimedia?
- How important is battery life and charging? Do you need all-day battery and fast charging for long days or travel?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user wanting a basic 5G phone for everyday tasks and light photography.
- Recommendation: The vivo V21 5G is sufficient with its smaller size and macro camera.
- Scenario 2: User who prioritizes performance and entertainment on their device.
- Recommendation: The vivo V40 is the clear choice with its powerful chipset, larger and brighter display, and significantly longer battery life, making it perfect for heavy media consumption.
- Scenario 3: User looking for all-day battery and fast charging on their smartphone.
- Recommendation: The vivo V40 due to its larger battery and faster charging capabilities.
- Scenario 4: User looking for the best photo and video camera performance.
- Recommendation: The vivo V40 as it has a significantly better main camera, ultrawide camera and utilizes EIS for better stabilization during video recording.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the vivo V40. The performance difference is significant and the updated screen is an important upgrade over the V21 5G. The battery is also a major upgrade, and this would be important to me as I frequently use my smartphone for long periods of time while not always near a power outlet. The significantly improved ultrawide camera also is a great addition as the ultrawide camera on my current smartphone is rarely used due to its low quality. While I do think the Macro lens of the V21 5G is useful for some, I would prefer the far better overall performance, display, battery, and ultrawide camera of the V40. The V40 offers a much more complete and future-proofed experience for the small price increase it will likely incur.
