Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Vivo V29 Pro
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S21 delivers flagship performance with Snapdragon 888, superior optical zoom capabilities via its 3x hybrid zoom telephoto lens, and wireless charging at $799. Vivo V29 Pro counters with a larger 6.78-inch AMOLED display, bigger 4600 mAh battery, and impressive 80W fast charging at $449, nearly half the price. Camera systems differ meaningfully: S21 excels with versatile zoom and 8K video, while V29 Pro focuses on high-resolution front and rear sensors ideal for content creators. Battery life favors Vivo given its larger capacity, though S21 charges faster wirelessly. Display brightness matches at 1300 nits, but Vivo's wider 2800x1260 resolution suits multimedia consumption better. For users prioritizing zoom photography, wireless convenience, and proven Samsung performance, the S21 justifies its premium. Budget-conscious buyers wanting excellent cameras and larger screens should choose V29 Pro.
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 Vivo V29 Pro if…
- →50 MP front camera with autofocus and Aura Light for exceptional selfies
- →80W fast charging fills up the battery rapidly
- →Slim and lightweight at 7.46 mm and 185 g
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
Vivo V29 Pro
Pros
- 50 MP front camera with autofocus and Aura Light for exceptional selfies
- 80W fast charging fills up the battery rapidly
- Slim and lightweight at 7.46 mm and 185 g
- Color-changing back panel is unique and eye-catching
- Dimensity 8200 offers strong mid-range performance
Cons
- Only IP54 splash resistance — not fully waterproof
- 8 MP ultrawide is low quality for the price
- No telephoto or dedicated zoom lens
- Funtouch OS is heavily skinned with bloatware
- No wireless charging support
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S21 | Vivo V29 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 13 (Funtouch OS 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 169 g | 185 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Glasstic back | Plastic frame, glass back with color-changing finish |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP54 |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 164.1 x 74.4 x 7.46 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX766 |
| Front camera | 10 MP, f/2.2 | 50 MP, f/2.0, autofocus, Aura Light LED |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 4600 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 80W FlashCharge |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.2 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2800 x 1260 |
| 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 + 3x3.0 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| 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 |
Related Comparisons
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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