vivo X60 Pro+ vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and a brighter, more vibrant display, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G emerges as the winner. Its 114-hour endurance rating significantly surpasses the X60 Pro+'s 91 hours, and the 1023 nits peak brightness provides superior outdoor visibility. However, the X60 Pro+ remains a compelling option for those prioritizing camera performance and faster charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo X60 Pro+ | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - SM-G998U1 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-G998U1 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-G998B | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 21 | 2021, January 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 30 | Available. Released 2021, January 29 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, eco leather back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.6 x 73.4 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.89 x 0.36 in) | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 227 g (Sub6), 229 g (mmWave) (8.01 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 112.1 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA/China |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - USA/China |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660 - USA/China |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 12 (International), OriginOS 1.0 (China) | Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 32 MP, f/2.1, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, gimbal OIS, PDAF | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 72mm (telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 240mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Video | 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.7µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| - | Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 55W wired | 25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | 4200 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Orange, Emperor Blue | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, Phantom Brown, Navy |
| Models | V2056A, V2047 | SM-G998B, SM-G998B/DS, SM-G998U, SM-G998U1, SM-G998W, SM-G998N, SM-G9980 |
| Price | About 800 EUR | $ 240.01 / C$ 353.20 / £ 202.99 / € 264.99 |
| SAR | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.47 W/kg (body) | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 128GB 12GB RAM | - | $ 384.99 |
| 256GB 12GB RAM | - | $ 998.00 |
| 512GB 12GB RAM | - | $ 1,179.99 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 459.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.5 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 657150 (v8) GeekBench: 3518 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo X60 Pro+
- Faster 55W wired charging
- Potentially more vibrant camera processing
- Competitive Snapdragon 888 performance
- Shorter battery life (91h endurance)
- Less bright display (816 nits)
- Lacks wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Longer battery life (114h endurance)
- Brighter display (1023 nits)
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Slower 25W wired charging
- Potential for Exynos 2100 throttling (International variant)
- Higher price point (depending on configuration)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1023 nits compared to the vivo X60 Pro+'s 816 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both utilize high refresh rate panels, Samsung’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and a more immersive viewing experience. The S21 Ultra’s larger screen size also contributes to a more expansive visual experience, though the X60 Pro+’s display is still perfectly adequate for most users. The lack of PWM dimming rate data for the X60 Pro+ means we can't assess potential flicker-related eye strain compared to the S21 Ultra.
Camera Comparison
Both devices excel in camera performance, but approach it differently. While both offer photo and video capabilities, detailed sensor information beyond the presence of OIS is missing. The S21 Ultra’s versatility, with its multiple lenses and advanced zoom capabilities, gives it an edge for users who demand flexibility. The X60 Pro+ likely prioritizes image processing geared towards vibrant colors and sharp details, a hallmark of vivo’s camera tuning. Without specific sensor size data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the S21 Ultra’s broader feature set and potential for greater zoom range make it the more versatile option.
Performance
Both phones are equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm), but the S21 Ultra also comes in an Exynos 2100 variant for international markets. While the Exynos 2100 and Snapdragon 888 are architecturally similar, the Snapdragon generally exhibits better sustained performance and thermal management. The S21 Ultra’s CPU features a slightly higher peak clock speed (2.9 GHz vs 2.84 GHz on the X60 Pro+ and the USA/China S21 Ultra variant), but this difference is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. Both devices utilize ample RAM (12GB in most configurations) and fast storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and app loading. The Snapdragon 888 in both phones is prone to throttling under sustained load, but the S21 Ultra’s larger chassis may offer slightly better heat dissipation.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 114-hour endurance rating significantly outlasts the vivo X60 Pro+'s 91 hours. This difference is attributable to a larger battery capacity (not specified in the data, but known to be larger) and more efficient power management. While the X60 Pro+ compensates with significantly faster 55W wired charging, allowing for a quicker top-up, the S21 Ultra offers the convenience of 25W wired, 15W wireless (Qi), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. For users who frequently find themselves away from a power outlet, the S21 Ultra’s longer battery life is a crucial advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo X60 Pro+ if you need a smartphone with a strong emphasis on photography and rapid 55W charging, and are willing to trade some battery life for it. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you prefer a larger, brighter display, longer battery endurance, and the added convenience of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, even if it means slightly slower wired charging speeds.