{
    "url": "https://whatmobilepk.com/compare/samsung-galaxy-s21-5g-vs-zte-nubia-neo-5-max/",
    "generated": "2026-09-02T09:44:10+00:00",
    "source": "WhatMobilePK.com",
    "currency": "PKR",
    "headline": "Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max",
    "answer": "The ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max is the stronger phone of the two, scoring 77 against 74 on our combined specification score. It leads on battery & charging, memory & storage and value for money. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G still wins on performance and camera, so it remains the better choice if that is your priority. The ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max is the cheaper of the two at PKR 148,999 against PKR 169,999.",
    "phones": [
        {
            "name": "Samsung Galaxy S21 5G",
            "slug": "samsung-galaxy-s21-5g",
            "brand": "Samsung",
            "url": "https://whatmobilepk.com/mobile/samsung/samsung-galaxy-s21-5g/",
            "image": "https://whatmobilepk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-18-2026-11_20_40-AM-1024x683.png",
            "price": {
                "amount": 169999,
                "currency": "PKR"
            },
            "updated": "2026-08-18T06:23:32+00:00",
            "scores": {
                "performance": 66,
                "camera": 91,
                "battery": 52.9,
                "display": 100,
                "memory": 50,
                "value": 84.8,
                "overall": 73.7
            },
            "specs": {
                "Design & build": {
                    "Release date": "January 14, 2021",
                    "Dimensions": "151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm",
                    "Weight": "169 g",
                    "Water resistance": "IP68 dust and water resistant (up to 1.5 m for 30 minutes)"
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Screen size": "6.2 inches",
                    "Resolution": "2400 x 1080 pixels",
                    "Panel type": "Dynamic AMOLED 2X Adaptive 120Hz HDR10+",
                    "Protection": "Corning Gorilla Glass Victus"
                },
                "Performance": {
                    "Chipset": "Samsung Exynos 2100 (5 nm) / Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm), depending on market",
                    "CPU": "Octa-core Up to 2.9 GHz on Exynos version",
                    "GPU": "Mali-G78 MP14 / Adreno 660, depending on chipset",
                    "Operating system": "Android 11, One UI 3.1"
                },
                "Memory & storage": {
                    "RAM": "8GB",
                    "Internal storage": "128GB / 256GB LPDDR5",
                    "Card slot": "No"
                },
                "Camera": {
                    "Main camera": "12MP + 64MP + 12MP, OIS, PDAF, 3x Hybrid Optical Zoom, up to 30x Space Zoom",
                    "Selfie camera": "10MP, f/2.2, Dual Pixel PDAF LED flash, HDR, panorama",
                    "Video recording": "Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps"
                },
                "Battery & charging": {
                    "Battery capacity": "Li-Ion (non-removable) 4000 mAh",
                    "Wired charging": "25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless charging"
                },
                "Connectivity & extras": {
                    "SIM": "Nano-SIM + eSIM",
                    "Wi-Fi": "Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, dual-band, Wi-Fi 6",
                    "Bluetooth": "5.0",
                    "NFC": "Yes",
                    "Sensors": "Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass, Barometer, Hall Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor",
                    "USB": "USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max",
            "slug": "zte-nubia-neo-5-max",
            "brand": "Nubia",
            "url": "https://whatmobilepk.com/mobile/nubia/zte-nubia-neo-5-max/",
            "image": "https://whatmobilepk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-29-2026-11_12_25-AM-683x1024.png",
            "price": {
                "amount": 148999,
                "currency": "PKR"
            },
            "updated": "2026-08-29T06:23:16+00:00",
            "scores": {
                "performance": 59.7,
                "camera": 79,
                "battery": 81.3,
                "display": 87,
                "memory": 75,
                "value": 100,
                "overall": 77.4
            },
            "specs": {
                "Design & build": {
                    "Release date": "August 2026.",
                    "Dimensions": "180.9 × 88.4 × 8.0 mm.",
                    "Weight": "245 g.",
                    "Water resistance": "IP64 Dust and Splash Resistant."
                },
                "Display": {
                    "Screen size": "7.5 inches.",
                    "Resolution": "1280 × 2772 Pixels",
                    "Panel type": "IPS LCD, 120Hz Refresh Rate 1000 nits Peak Brightness,",
                    "Protection": "Corning Gorilla Glass."
                },
                "Performance": {
                    "Chipset": "MediaTek Dimensity 7100 (6nm),",
                    "CPU": "Octa-core",
                    "GPU": "Mali-G610 MC2",
                    "Operating system": "Android 16, MyOS 16"
                },
                "Memory & storage": {
                    "RAM": "8GB LPDDR5X.",
                    "Internal storage": "256GB / 512GB, UFS 2.2",
                    "Card slot": "No"
                },
                "Camera": {
                    "Main camera": "50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF, LED Flash, HDR, Panorama",
                    "Selfie camera": "16 MP, f/2.0",
                    "Video recording": "1080p@30fps, HDR."
                },
                "Battery & charging": {
                    "Battery capacity": "7100 mAh, Li-Po, Dual-Cell, Non-Removable.",
                    "Wired charging": "45W Wired Fast Charging, USB Type-C, USB Power Delivery (PD), Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging."
                },
                "Connectivity & extras": {
                    "SIM": "Dual SIM (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM), Dual Standby.",
                    "Wi-Fi": "Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Dual-Band, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot.",
                    "Bluetooth": "5.2",
                    "NFC": "Yes",
                    "Sensors": "Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Compass, Pressure-Sensitive Gaming Triggers, RGB Lighting, Z-Axis Linear Motor.",
                    "USB": "USB Type-C, USB OTG, USB 2.0"
                }
            }
        }
    ],
    "verdict": {
        "winner": "zte-nubia-neo-5-max",
        "margin": 3.7,
        "decisive": true,
        "categories": [
            {
                "category": "performance",
                "label": "Performance",
                "weight": 25,
                "basis": "Gaming score where available, otherwise chipset tier plus usable RAM.",
                "scores": {
                    "samsung-galaxy-s21-5g": 66,
                    "zte-nubia-neo-5-max": 59.7
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s21-5g"
            },
            {
                "category": "camera",
                "label": "Camera",
                "weight": 20,
                "basis": "Camera Score where available, otherwise sensor resolution and lens count. Megapixels alone do not measure image quality.",
                "scores": {
                    "samsung-galaxy-s21-5g": 91,
                    "zte-nubia-neo-5-max": 79
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s21-5g"
            },
            {
                "category": "battery",
                "label": "Battery & charging",
                "weight": 18,
                "basis": "Cell capacity in mAh weighted with rated wired charging output.",
                "scores": {
                    "samsung-galaxy-s21-5g": 52.9,
                    "zte-nubia-neo-5-max": 81.3
                },
                "leader": "zte-nubia-neo-5-max"
            },
            {
                "category": "display",
                "label": "Display",
                "weight": 15,
                "basis": "Pixel density, refresh rate and panel technology.",
                "scores": {
                    "samsung-galaxy-s21-5g": 100,
                    "zte-nubia-neo-5-max": 87
                },
                "leader": "samsung-galaxy-s21-5g"
            },
            {
                "category": "memory",
                "label": "Memory & storage",
                "weight": 12,
                "basis": "Highest advertised RAM and internal storage configuration.",
                "scores": {
                    "samsung-galaxy-s21-5g": 50,
                    "zte-nubia-neo-5-max": 75
                },
                "leader": "zte-nubia-neo-5-max"
            },
            {
                "category": "value",
                "label": "Value for money",
                "weight": 10,
                "basis": "Combined spec score divided by current Pakistani retail price.",
                "scores": {
                    "samsung-galaxy-s21-5g": 84.8,
                    "zte-nubia-neo-5-max": 100
                },
                "leader": "zte-nubia-neo-5-max"
            }
        ],
        "unscored": []
    },
    "differences": [
        "ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max costs PKR 21,000 less.",
        "ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max packs a 3,100 mAh larger battery.",
        "ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max charges 20W faster.",
        "ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max ships with 256 GB more storage.",
        "Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a 14 MP higher-resolution main sensor.",
        "Samsung Galaxy S21 5G uses an OLED panel while the other sticks with LCD."
    ],
    "faq": [
        {
            "question": "Which is better, Samsung Galaxy S21 5G or ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max?",
            "answer": "ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max comes out ahead on our combined spec score, leading by 3.7 points. It wins on battery & charging, memory & storage and value for money. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G can still be the better buy if your priorities sit elsewhere or if you find it at a lower street price."
        },
        {
            "question": "What is the price of Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max in Pakistan?",
            "answer": "Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is listed at PKR 169,999 and ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max at PKR 148,999. That makes ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max cheaper by PKR 21,000. Retail prices move often, so treat these as indicative."
        },
        {
            "question": "Which has the better camera, Samsung Galaxy S21 5G or ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max?",
            "answer": "Samsung Galaxy S21 5G scores higher in our camera assessment. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G uses a 64 MP main sensor against 50 MP on ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max, though sensor size and processing matter more than resolution alone."
        },
        {
            "question": "Which phone has the better battery, Samsung Galaxy S21 5G or ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max?",
            "answer": "ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max leads on battery. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G carries a 4000 mAh cell and ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max a 7100 mAh cell, with 25W and 45W wired charging respectively."
        },
        {
            "question": "Which is better for gaming, Samsung Galaxy S21 5G or ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max?",
            "answer": "Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the stronger gaming phone here. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G runs the Samsung Exynos 2100 (5 nm) / Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5 nm), depending on market while ZTE nubia Neo 5 Max runs the MediaTek Dimensity 7100 (6nm),."
        }
    ],
    "methodology": "Category scores are derived from published hardware specifications using one formula applied to every device. Categories without sufficient published data are excluded from the total rather than estimated. No paid placement, no editorial weighting.",
    "license": "Facts may be quoted with attribution to WhatMobilePK.com (https://whatmobilepk.com/)."
}