Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Tecno Camon 30 Pro
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S21 and Tecno Camon 30 Pro target different market segments with distinct strengths. Samsung delivers premium build quality with aluminum framing, IP68 water resistance (versus IP64), and superior color accuracy through its Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The S21 excels in video recording with 8K capability at 24fps and 4K at 60fps, plus a more versatile triple camera system with 3x hybrid zoom that outperforms the Camon 30 Pro's limited zoom capabilities. Processing power favors Samsung's Snapdragon 888, offering snappier performance for demanding apps and gaming. However, Tecno provides compelling value at $349 versus $799. Its 5000 mAh battery outlasts the S21's 4000 mAh, and 70W fast charging beats Samsung's 25W wired speeds by a significant margin. The Camon 30 Pro's 50 MP main sensor and 12 GB RAM are generous for the price point. MediaTek's Dimensity 8200 handles daily tasks competently, though it can't match Snapdragon 888's sustained performance. Display sizes favor Tecno at 6.78 inches against 6.2 inches. For photographers valuing professional video, optical zoom, and build durability, Samsung justifies the premium. Budget-conscious buyers seeking all-day battery life and adequate daily performance should choose Tecno, accepting trade-offs in video prowess and processing refinement.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 if…
- →$200 price cut from S20 launched at $799
- →Lightweight and compact at 169 g
- →120Hz AMOLED with adaptive refresh
Buy the Tecno Camon 30 Pro if…
- →Sony IMX890 main sensor punches above its weight for the price
- →50MP front camera is excellent for selfie enthusiasts
- →70W fast charging is generous in the budget segment
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy S21
Pros
- $200 price cut from S20 launched at $799
- Lightweight and compact at 169 g
- 120Hz AMOLED with adaptive refresh
- Snapdragon 888 performance
- Eye-catching Contour Cut camera design
Cons
- Plastic (Glasstic) back panel
- FHD+ only, no QHD option
- No microSD card slot
- Slow 25W charging
- No charger included in the box
Tecno Camon 30 Pro
Pros
- Sony IMX890 main sensor punches above its weight for the price
- 50MP front camera is excellent for selfie enthusiasts
- 70W fast charging is generous in the budget segment
- Thin and lightweight design at 7.9 mm and 190 g
- 12 GB RAM handles multitasking smoothly
Cons
- No real ultrawide camera — the 2MP depth sensor is useless
- HiOS software is heavily skinned with bloatware
- IP64 splash resistance is minimal protection
- Limited brand presence means fewer accessories and service centers
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S21 | Tecno Camon 30 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 14 (HiOS 14) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 169 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Glasstic back | Plastic frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP64 |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 162.9 x 74.9 x 7.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Sony IMX890) |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.2 | 50 MP, f/2.0, autofocus |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 70W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.2 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2436 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G610 MC6 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | MediaTek Dimensity 8200 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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