1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Motorola One 5G Ace and the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, focusing on the practical implications of their specifications:
Design
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | The Motorola is significantly larger and thicker, less pocketable. S21 is more ergonomic for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 212g | 169g | The S21 is considerably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Build | Not Specified | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (Screen) | S21 has a much stronger glass protecting against scratches and impacts, adding to durability. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.2" | Motorola offers a larger screen, better for media consumption, multitasking. S21 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both provide a sharp image, resolution is the same. |
| PPI | 393 | 421 | S21 has slightly sharper text and images due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | S21's AMOLED delivers superior blacks, contrast, and color accuracy, better for media, especially HDR content. Better in sunlight, battery efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21 offers smoother scrolling, better gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | S21 is vastly superior in outdoor visibility due to a much brighter display. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | S21’s 5nm chipset provides substantially faster processing and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 749,100 | S21 offers much faster app loading, smoother gaming, and better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G78 MP14 | S21’s GPU provides superior graphics performance for demanding tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP, f/1.7 | 12MP, f/1.8 | Motorola offers higher resolution but sensor and pixel size details missing to fully compare. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.80 µm | S21 has larger pixels, better low-light performance; Sensor size is also larger. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 64MP, f/2.0 | S21 offers optical zoom capabilities for better image clarity at a distance. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | S21 is much more capable for wide angle photography with a much larger sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Motorola has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 10MP, f/2.2 | Motorola has higher resolution. Sensor details are missing on Motorola. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps | S21 is superior in video recording, offering 8K, higher framerates and slow-motion capabilities. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS | HDR, EIS, OIS | S21 has a much superior stabilization, making videos more smooth. |
| DXOMark Scores | Not available | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | S21 is better, according to DXOMark benchmark. |
| Features | Digital Zoom, PDAF, LAF | 8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, PDAF, Continuous Autofocus | S21 has far more advanced camera features including optical zoom and stabilization. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | Motorola has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 25W | S21 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 10W Charger in box | Wireless, reverse Wireless charging, No charger in box | S21 offers superior wireless charging options, but you need to buy a separate charger. |
Storage and RAM
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | S21 offers more storage options, especially important without expandable storage. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB | S21 has more RAM, improving multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | No expandable storage on either. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi ac | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | S21 offers faster Wi-Fi speeds, better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Motorola uses slightly newer Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, SUPL | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S21 offers more accurate and reliable positioning due to a wider range of supported systems. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | S21 is a better choice for users who need to use two SIM cards simultaneously. |
Other
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | S21 has a newer OS, and more future updates. |
| Audio | 2 Microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | S21 has far better speakers and spatial audio. |
| Security | Rear Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Functionality is similar, though sensor type not specified on S21 |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | S21 has more advanced sensor array, including a barometer, expanding capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages
- Larger Screen: The 6.7" display provides more screen real estate, which is beneficial for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Bigger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Provides additional flexibility for close-up photography.
- Included Charger: A charger is included in the box.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness offers superior visual experience, and better sunlight legibility.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and 8GB RAM delivers much better performance for all use cases including gaming, multitasking and app loading.
- Better Camera System: Offers a much more versatile camera system with optical zoom, a better sensor, OIS, and superior video capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging reduces charging times.
- Wireless Charging: Includes wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Advanced Connectivity: Features Wi-Fi 6 and more satellite support for better network and location.
- Superior Build Quality: Stronger screen protection.
- Stereo speakers: Far better audio capabilities.
Trade-offs
- Motorola: Larger size and weight, lower performance, inferior display quality, and weaker camera system compared to S21.
- Samsung: Smaller battery, smaller screen, missing charger in box.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace - Ideal User
- Budget-conscious users: Seeking a large screen and decent battery life at a lower price point.
- Casual users: Primarily interested in basic tasks such as browsing, social media, and media consumption.
- Users who prefer a bigger screen and are less concerned about display quality.
- Users who want a charger in the box.
Use Cases
- Watching videos and movies on a large screen.
- Casual gaming and light app usage.
- Longer battery life for day-to-day tasks.
- Basic photography with macro lens capabilities
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G - Ideal User
- Power Users: Individuals seeking top-tier performance and advanced features.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile and high-quality camera system.
- Multimedia Lovers: Users who value superior display quality and excellent audio.
- Users who prefer premium build quality, and more future updates.
- Users who need to use two SIM cards simultaneously.
Use Cases
- Demanding mobile gaming and intensive app usage.
- Professional-quality photo and video capture.
- Enjoying HDR content with high display quality.
- Smooth multitasking and fast app loading.
4. Decision Framework
Here are key questions to help buyers decide between these phones:
- What is your budget?
- If budget is a primary concern, the Motorola is the cheaper option.
- How important are display quality and performance to you?
- If these are critical, the S21 is vastly superior with its AMOLED display, higher refresh rate and much stronger chipset.
- What are your specific camera needs?
- If you need a versatile camera system with optical zoom and video recording features, S21 is much better. The Motorola has a macro lens, if this is a requirement, it might be an advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Casual user with a limited budget
- Recommendation: Motorola One 5G Ace is the practical choice due to its large screen and better battery, at a lower price point.
Scenario 2: Demanding user who wants the best performance and camera
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the clear winner with better display quality, camera capabilities, and performance.
Scenario 3: User who values a large screen and long battery life, but doesn't need advanced features:
- Recommendation: Motorola One 5G Ace is suitable due to its larger screen and bigger battery.
Scenario 4: User who values future-proofing and premium experience
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. The better screen, better performance and build quality will last longer.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. While the Motorola One 5G Ace offers a larger screen and bigger battery, the S21 delivers a significantly superior user experience in key areas that are most important to me. The much better display, far stronger performance, far superior camera, and faster charging justify the higher price for a user looking for a high-end experience. For me, a premium display, great performance and better image quality are more valuable than a bigger screen and battery alone.
