Smartphone Comparison: vivo V21 5G vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-05-06 | 2022-03-16 | The Poco M4 Pro is newer, potentially having more up-to-date features and software support. |
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm | Poco M4 Pro is slightly thicker, with a negligible difference in overall size. |
| Weight | 176g | 179.5g | Both phones are virtually the same weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.43" | Practically identical screen sizes, no noticeable difference in daily usage. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness, resulting in a similar viewing experience. |
| PPI | 409 | 409 | Identical pixel density, contributing to similar image clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both provide vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations, a noticeable upgrade from 60Hz. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is unknown, and we cannot determine which would be better in sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Dimensity 800U (7nm) offers better efficiency but is out performed by the Helio G96 |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 438,700 | Poco M4 Pro has superior benchmark performance, leading to smoother app loading and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Vivo V21 5G has a slightly more powerful GPU with more cores, which could lead to better gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Poco M4 Pro has a significantly larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Both support fast charging, allowing for quick power-ups. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion Polymer | Both use similar types with negligible real-world difference. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.79 | 50MP f/1.8 | Vivo V21 5G has higher resolution, while Poco M4 Pro has a slightly narrower aperture and larger pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP f/2.0 | 16MP f/2.45 | Vivo V21 5G offers far higher resolution and wider aperture for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2 | Similar wide-angle capabilities, but different sensors. Poco M4 Pro has a larger pixel size. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Vivo V21 5G offers macro photography, while Poco M4 Pro lacks this feature. |
| Video | 4K@30fps (OIS), 1080p@60fps (OIS) | 1080p@30fps | Vivo V21 5G has higher recording quality and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which leads to less shaky videos. |
| Video Stabilisation | OIS | No | Vivo V21 5G has OIS while Poco M4 pro lacks OIS for video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both use similar Android versions. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both offer similar Wi-Fi speeds and features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 (LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, SBC) | 5.1 (LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, AAC) | Similar Bluetooth capabilities, with minor codec differences. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco M4 Pro supports more satellite systems for precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both offer dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB or 256GB | Unknown | Vivo V21 5G offers greater storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB | Unknown | Vivo V21 5G has 8GB RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Poco M4 Pro offers much more impressive audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Poco M4 Pro offers a more convenient fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco M4 Pro has better screen protection against scratches. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both have similar sensors, but differ in their proximity sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Superior Front Camera: 44MP with wider aperture (f/2.0) and a larger sensor, leading to better selfies, especially in low light.
- Video Recording: Can record in 4K@30fps and has OIS for smoother footage.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Provides better video and low-light photography by reducing blur.
- Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- More internal storage: Up to 256GB internal storage compared to the unknown of the Poco.
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM for smoother multitasking and running more demanding applications
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Advantages:
- Higher Performance: The Helio G96 offers better AnTuTu scores indicating better overall performance.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh vs 4000mAh for significantly longer battery life.
- Superior Audio: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support, and Hi-Res Audio for a richer audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers better scratch resistance.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A more convenient and faster fingerprint scanner.
- More accurate location tracking: Supports BeiDou (B1) in addition to other GPS standards.
Trade-offs:
- The vivo V21 5G sacrifices battery life and processing power for superior camera capabilities, especially the front camera, and 4k video.
- The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro sacrifices camera quality and macro for better performance, battery life and enhanced audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for vivo V21 5G:
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize front-facing camera quality for photos and video calls.
- Social Media Content Creators: Users who frequently record videos and value OIS for stable, high-quality footage.
- Users needing 4K video: If filming in 4K is a must, then the vivo is the one.
- Users who prefer Macro photography: The vivo is the one to chose if you want a macro lens.
- Multitaskers: The vivo is better for multitasking due to the RAM.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro:
- Gamers and Power Users: Those who need a responsive phone with long battery life for intensive tasks and gaming.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and listening to music on their phone and value good audio quality.
- Users needing extended battery life: If you need all day battery, the Poco is for you.
- Users wanting durability: The gorilla glass on the Poco makes the device more durable.
- Users wanting accurate GPS: If you need highly accurate GPS, the Poco is for you.
Use Cases:
- vivo V21 5G: Ideal for vlogging, live streaming, taking high-resolution selfies, and content creation where the front camera is critical. Good for everyday use and less demanding games.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro: Best for gaming, video streaming, long-distance navigation, and anyone who needs a device that can handle heavy usage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is more important to you: camera quality (especially selfies and video) or battery life and performance?
- Do you need a dedicated macro lens, or are you more focused on overall camera quality?
- Do you value a high-quality audio experience, or are you content with basic audio?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Focused: If your primary need is excellent selfie quality and good video recording, choose the vivo V21 5G.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Battery Life: If you need a phone with long battery life, superior audio, and better performance, choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage: If you want a balance of camera performance and good battery life/ performance, the decision is more difficult. If you are not a heavy user, and need the better selfie, pick the vivo. If you are a heavy user, then consider picking the Poco.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro. The Poco M4 Pro's strengths in battery life and performance are more important to me than a slightly better front-facing camera. The Poco M4 Pro's bigger battery and better performance mean I'm less likely to be limited by my phone, and I value having more power and longer battery life for my daily use. While the Vivo's camera is definitely better, I rarely take selfies and instead prioritize other use cases like gaming, watching videos, and navigation.
