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InnoReviews

realme 16 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21

WINNER
realme 16 5G
50.2Inno Score
VS
Samsung Galaxy S21
43.6Inno Score
25.3Performance34.4
71.1Display49.1
37.9Camera40.8
75.6Battery36.9
57.3Features78.7
7 spec wins — realme 16 5G7 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21

InnoReviews verdict

realme 16 5G wins this phone face-off, 50.2 to 43.6, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+39) and display (+22). Samsung Galaxy S21 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the realme 16 5G

  • Stronger display score: 71 vs 49
  • Stronger battery score: 76 vs 37
  • 400% higher Front camera: 50 MP vs 10 MP
  • 317% higher Main camera: 50 MP vs 12 MP
  • 223% higher Peak brightness: 4,200 nits vs 1,300 nits

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21

  • Stronger performance score: 34 vs 25
  • Stronger features score: 79 vs 57
  • 77% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,430 vs 807
  • 74% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 3,550 vs 2,040
  • 33% higher OS update pledge: 4 years vs 3 years

Display

Display comparison: realme 16 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
Specrealme 16 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
Screen size6.57 ″+6%6.2 ″
Panel typeAMOLEDAMOLED
Resolution1080x23722400x1080
Pixel density397 ppi421 ppi+6%
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness4,200 nits+223%1,300 nits
Screen-to-body93 %—

Performance

Performance comparison: realme 16 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
Specrealme 16 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
ChipsetMediaTek Dimensity 6400 TurboSamsung Exynos 2100
AnTuTu—746,547Bottom 18%
AnTuTu 11 (CPU)—252,025Bottom 14%
AnTuTu 11 (GPU)—127,819Bottom 35%
AnTuTu 11 (Memory)—144,909Bottom 16%
AnTuTu 11 (UX)—221,794Bottom 18%
Geekbench 6 (single)807Bottom 21%1,430+77%Top 46%
Geekbench 6 (multi)2,040Bottom 20%3,550+74%Bottom 50%
Wild Life Extreme stability98 %Top 44%—
RAM (max)12 GB+50%8 GB
Storage options128/256GB128GB / 256GB
Storage typeUFS 2.2UFS 3.1

Camera

Camera comparison: realme 16 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
Specrealme 16 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
Main camera50 MP+317%12 MP
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.8
Ultra-wide—12 MP
Telephoto—64 MP
Max video1080p@60fps8K@24fps
Front camera50 MP+400%10 MP
OIS—Yes

Battery

Battery comparison: realme 16 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
Specrealme 16 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
Capacity7,000 mAh+75%4,000 mAh
Wired charging60 W+140%25 W
Wireless charging—15 W

Design

Design comparison: realme 16 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
Specrealme 16 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
Weight183 g171 g+7%
Thickness8.1 mm7.9 mm+2%
IP ratingIP66/IP68/IP69/IP69KIP68
Frame material—Aluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: realme 16 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
Specrealme 16 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.35.0
NFC—Yes
USBUSB Type-CUSB-C 3.2
eSIMNoYes

Software

Software comparison: realme 16 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
Specrealme 16 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
OS at launchAndroid 16 (realme UI 7.0)Android 11 (One UI 3.1)
OS update pledge3 years4 years+33%

Audio

Audio comparison: realme 16 5G versus Samsung Galaxy S21
Specrealme 16 5GSamsung Galaxy S21
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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