Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Vivo iQOO 16
The Samsung Galaxy S21 (2021) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2100, while the Vivo iQOO 16 (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $799 and $840. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads — 89/100 vs 55/100 (a 34-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 16 has the bigger battery (8400 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 12 MP vs 50 MP; the Vivo iQOO 16 is faster in AnTuTu (5,498,720 vs 1,081,778); the Samsung Galaxy S21 is noticeably lighter (169g vs 223g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S21
Vivo iQOO 16
What makes Samsung Galaxy S21 better?
- Lighter: 169g vs 223g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $840
- Better portability (79/100 vs 42/100)
What makes Vivo iQOO 16 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5498720 vs 1081778
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 1435
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 3555
- Bigger battery: 8400 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Higher refresh rate: 165Hz vs 120Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 40W vs 15W
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 63/100)
- Better camera (78/100 vs 42/100)
- Longer battery life (90/100 vs 31/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 82/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 vs the Vivo iQOO 16, the Vivo iQOO 16 scores 34 points higher (89/100 vs 55/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (100/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (78/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (90/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S21 — 24/100, Vivo iQOO 16 — 92/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (100/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (99/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (78/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (90/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO 16 (79/100 vs 42/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 | Vivo iQOO 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 1081778 | 5498720 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.2" AMOLED | 6.8" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3168 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 165 Hz | |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 8400 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 40W | |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 64 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 10 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1300 nits | 6000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 161.5×75.6×7.8 mm | 163.8×76.9×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 169 g | 223 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $840 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21
- Main: 12MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 64MP
- Front: 10MP
Vivo iQOO 16
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21
- 6.2" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Vivo iQOO 16
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3168
- Refresh rate: 165 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S21
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Vivo iQOO 16
- 8400 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 40W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21 and Vivo iQOO 16, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO 16 leads Samsung Galaxy S21 by 80.3% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $41. Samsung Galaxy S21 was $41 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (100/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (99/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (78/100 vs 42/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 (90/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S21 significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO 16 (79/100 vs 42/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 by 34 points (89/100 vs 55/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a MobileRank rating of 55/100, the Vivo iQOO 16 — 89/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 42/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 leads on performance (100/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 over the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a better fit for active users. The Vivo iQOO 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.