1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 × 73.9 × 7.3 mm | 164 × 76.1 × 8.9 mm | Poco M4 5G is larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. V21 5G is more pocketable and comfortable to hold for extended time. |
| Weight | 176g | 200g | V21 5G is significantly lighter, better for portability and extended use without fatigue. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.58" | Poco M4 5G offers slightly more screen real estate, better for content consumption, while the difference might be negligible for most users. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both offer similar sharpness; real-world difference is negligible. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 401 PPI | Both have very sharp displays; real-world difference is negligible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | V21 5G's AMOLED provides better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, which enhances the viewing experience, especially in darker settings. The Poco M4 has an LCD panel that is likely to have better sunlight visibility but sacrifices colour and contrast compared to AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Dimensity 800U in V21 5G offers slightly better performance for everyday tasks and gaming; the 700 is capable, but less powerful. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 381,300 | Poco M4 5G has slightly better benchmark performance, which translates into more fluid performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G57 MC2 | V21 5G has a slightly more capable GPU, which translates to smoother gaming and graphics-intensive application performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard Camera Resolution | 64MP | 13MP | V21 5G captures much more detailed photos than the Poco M4 5G |
| Rear Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/2.2 | V21 5G allows more light to reach the sensor, improving low light performance |
| Front Standard Camera Resolution | 44MP | 5MP | V21 5G takes much more detailed selfies than the Poco M4 5G |
| Front Standard Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.2 | V21 5G's wider aperture improves low light performance for selfies |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP (vivo V21 5G), None (Poco M4 5G) | The vivo V21 5G has a dedicated wide-angle camera allowing for wide field of view photos not possible on the Poco M4 5G | |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | None (vivo V21 5G), 2MP (Poco M4 5G) | The Poco M4 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode effects not possible on the V21 5G | |
| Macro lens | 2MP (vivo V21 5G), None (Poco M4 5G) | The vivo V21 5G has a dedicated macro camera allowing for closeup photos not possible on the Poco M4 5G | |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, OIS (V21 5G) | 1080p@30fps (Poco M4 5G) | V21 5G offers higher video resolution and stabilization, significantly better for recording high-quality videos. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Poco M4 5G offers significantly longer battery life, better for heavy users who need to go through a full day without needing a charger. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | V21 5G charges much faster than the Poco M4 5G, allowing users to top up the battery much more quickly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Poco M4 5G has a slightly newer version of android out of the box. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | V21 5G offers more storage capacity options for users that have a lot of media. |
| RAM | 8GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | V21 5G has more RAM, allowing for better performance in multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side mounted | The side mounted fingerprint sensor on the Poco M4 5G is better than the basic fingerprint sensor on the V21 5G. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco M4 5G has better scratch and impact protection on the screen. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen provides better colors, contrast, and deeper blacks, enhancing the viewing experience significantly, especially for media consumption.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and front cameras, plus wide angle and macro lenses, deliver better image quality and versatility in various scenarios.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging enables quicker battery top-ups.
- More Powerful Chipset: The Dimensity 800U provides slightly better overall performance for daily use and gaming
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM offers better multitasking performance.
- Video quality: Optical image stabilization and higher video resolutions allow for much better video capture.
Practical Implications:
- The vivo V21 5G provides a much better overall media consumption experience, as well as a much better experience with photography and videography.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life, essential for heavy users.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More advanced sensor allows for easier access and faster unlocking.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers superior screen protection from scratches and accidental drops.
- Higher Benchmark Score: While marginal, its slightly better AnTuTu score indicates better general performance
- Newer OS: Ships with a newer Android OS, which might offer better software support.
Practical Implications:
- The Poco M4 5G is designed for users that require a long lasting phone with less concern for screen quality or camera performance.
Trade-offs:
- vivo V21 5G: Sacrifices battery life and scratch protection for a superior display and camera.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 5G: Offers better battery life and scratch protection while trading off camera quality and screen vibrancy.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for vivo V21 5G:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who watch a lot of videos or movies will appreciate the AMOLED display.
- Photography Lovers: Those who take a lot of photos or video will benefit from the high-resolution cameras and optical image stabilization, as well as wide angle and macro lens options
- Casual Gamers: The slightly more powerful chipset and GPU will allow for a smoother gaming experience.
- Users who value fast charging: People who frequently need to charge their phone on the go.
- Users who value the latest technologies: The phone has advanced Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies
Specific Use Cases for vivo V21 5G:
- Watching high-quality content on streaming services.
- Taking detailed photos and videos, including high-resolution selfies.
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games.
- Quickly charging during short breaks.
- Multitasking between several applications with 8 GB of ram.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco M4 5G:
- Heavy Users: Users who need a phone that can easily last a full day or more on a single charge.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users that require good performance on a budget with less concern for screen and camera quality.
- Users seeking longevity: The slightly newer software out of the box might translate to more long term support.
- Users who value scratch protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection provides better long-term durability.
Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco M4 5G:
- Extended use without needing a charger on the go.
- Basic gaming and everyday tasks.
- Users who prefer budget-friendly, long-lasting phones that are more practical.
- Users who prefer side mounted fingerprint sensors.
Price-to-Value Ratio: *The value of each phone will depend greatly on the price in your region. As the vivo V21 5G is an older device, it might be available at a lower price than the Poco M4 5G, especially in the used market. This would significantly increase its value.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is battery life? If you need a phone that lasts a full day with heavy usage, the Poco M4 5G is preferable.
- How important are camera quality and video recording? If you value high quality photos and videos, the vivo V21 5G is significantly better.
- How important is the quality of your screen? If you value higher contrast and colour vibrancy, the AMOLED display of the V21 5G is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Lover on a Budget - If you can find the V21 5G at a lower price than the Poco M4 5G, and prioritize media consumption it will likely provide a better overall experience, despite poorer battery life.
- Scenario 2: Heavy User on the Go - If long battery life is paramount, the Poco M4 5G is the better choice, as the large battery will reliably last all day on a single charge.
- Scenario 3: Best Overall Experience - If you can afford both, and photography and video are important to you, the V21 5G is likely to be the better choice as the superior screen and camera systems make a big difference.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would personally lean towards the vivo V21 5G, despite the older hardware. The significantly superior AMOLED display, combined with the much better camera system, including the 4k recording and OIS, would create a better experience for my own use cases. I value good quality photos and videos, as well as having a high quality screen, and the V21 5G significantly outperforms the Poco M4 5G in those areas. While the battery life is not as good, the significantly faster charging should compensate.
