The vivo S21 Pro represents a significant leap in processing power with its Dimensity 9300+ chipset, while the Google Pixel 5a 5G remains a compelling option for users prioritizing a balanced experience and Google’s software expertise. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two Android devices, focusing on where each excels and who will benefit most from their respective strengths.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users demanding raw performance and ultra-fast charging, the vivo S21 Pro is the clear winner. However, the Google Pixel 5a 5G offers a more refined software experience and comparable battery endurance at a potentially lower price point, making it ideal for everyday users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 5, 12, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, August 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | - | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (6.15 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | - | 183 g (6.46 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~415 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 | 6.34 inches, 97.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz | OLED, HDR |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.25 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 15, OriginOS 5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | Up to 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
16 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/1.9, (telephoto), 1/1.95", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
50 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 90W wired, PD
Reverse wired | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 5500 mAh | Li-Po 4680 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray; other colors | Mostly Black |
| Models | - | G1F8F, G4S1M |
| Price | - | $ 189.00 / C$ 249.99 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 122h
|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 291303 (v8)
GeekBench: 1337 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo S21 Pro
- Significantly faster processor for demanding tasks
- Ultra-fast 90W charging for minimal downtime
- Potential for superior gaming performance
- Battery capacity is unknown, potentially smaller than Pixel 5a
- Software experience may not be as refined as Pixel's
Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Excellent camera performance with Google’s image processing
- Clean and optimized Android software experience
- Solid battery endurance and reliable performance
- Slower processor compared to the Dimensity 9300+
- Significantly slower charging speed
Display Comparison
The Google Pixel 5a 5G boasts a display capable of reaching 861 nits of peak brightness, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the S21 Pro’s display specs are not provided, vivo typically focuses on color accuracy and vibrancy. The Pixel 5a’s ‘infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a standard OLED panel, while the S21 Pro’s panel technology remains unknown. The absence of high refresh rate information for the S21 Pro suggests it may not prioritize smooth scrolling like some competitors.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo S21 Pro, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Pixel 5a 5G is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s image processing algorithms to deliver consistently excellent results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Pixel 5a’s image processing excels in dynamic range and detail preservation. The S21 Pro will likely rely on higher megapixel counts and potentially larger sensors to compete, but software optimization will be crucial. The absence of information regarding OIS on the S21 Pro is a potential drawback.
Performance
The vivo S21 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) is a generational leap ahead of the Google Pixel 5a 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The Dimensity 9300+ features a complex CPU configuration – 1x3.25 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720 – designed for sustained peak performance. In contrast, the Snapdragon 765G’s Kryo 475 cores (1x2.4 GHz Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Gold, 6x1.8 GHz Silver) prioritize efficiency. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 9300+ translates to significantly improved thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during prolonged intensive tasks. This difference will be most noticeable in gaming and video rendering.
Battery Life
Both the vivo S21 Pro and Google Pixel 5a 5G share an endurance rating of 122 hours, suggesting comparable overall battery life despite differing battery capacities (unspecified for the S21 Pro). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The S21 Pro’s 90W wired charging with PD support allows for a full charge in a fraction of the time compared to the Pixel 5a 5G’s 18W PD2.0 charging. This means the S21 Pro can quickly recover from heavy usage, while the Pixel 5a 5G requires a more substantial charging period.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S21 Pro if you need a phone capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing, high-end gaming, and benefit from the convenience of 90W fast charging. Buy the Google Pixel 5a 5G if you prioritize a clean Android experience, excellent still photography, and long-lasting battery life without the need for constant power top-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 9300+ in the vivo S21 Pro tend to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 9300+'s 4nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While sustained peak performance will generate heat, it's less prone to throttling compared to older 7nm chips like the Snapdragon 765G. However, sustained gaming will still require adequate cooling, and performance may slightly decrease over very long sessions.
❓ How does the image processing of the Pixel 5a 5G handle low-light photography compared to what we might expect from the vivo S21 Pro?
The Pixel 5a 5G excels in low-light photography due to Google’s sophisticated computational photography algorithms. It leverages techniques like Night Sight to capture bright, detailed images with minimal noise. Without specific camera details for the S21 Pro, it's difficult to directly compare, but the Pixel 5a 5G has a proven track record in this area.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Pixel 5a 5G realistically slow in 2024?
Compared to the 90W charging on the vivo S21 Pro, 18W is considerably slower. A full charge will take significantly longer, potentially over two hours. However, the Pixel 5a 5G’s battery endurance is good, meaning you may not need to charge it daily, mitigating the slower charging speed.
