Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | The S21 Ultra is slightly smaller and thinner, which might feel better in the hand, but both are similarly sized. |
| Weight | 212g | 227g | The Motorola is 15g lighter, potentially making it more comfortable for long use. |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S21 Ultra has significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Negligible difference, both provide a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | S21 Ultra has a much sharper display with noticeably more detail. |
| PPI | 393 | 515 | S21 Ultra's higher pixel density results in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | S21 Ultra's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21 Ultra's 120Hz display provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | S21 Ultra offers superior visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset is significantly more powerful, providing faster processing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 749,000 | S21 Ultra offers much better performance for demanding tasks like gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G78 MP14 | S21 Ultra's GPU provides better graphics performance for games. |
Camera
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 108MP, f/1.8 | S21 Ultra captures significantly more detailed photos. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | N/A | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | S21 Ultra offers zoom capabilities and portrait mode. |
| Selfie | 16MP, f/2.2 | 44MP, f/2.2 | S21 Ultra captures higher-resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | S21 Ultra has an additional telephoto zoom lens for further zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Motorola offers a wide angle lens for capturing wide shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Motorola offers a macro lens for capturing close ups. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | S21 Ultra offers a combination lens for flexibility. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | S21 Ultra offers much higher video resolution and frame rates for professional video recording. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | N/A | Main: 115, Photo: 121, Video: 100 | S21 Ultra has a verified camera quality. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | N/A | Main: 135, Photo: 133, Video: 140 | S21 Ultra has a verified selfie camera quality. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | S21 Ultra provides optical zoom, OIS, higher quality video features. |
Battery
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have a similar battery capacity for all-day usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | S21 Ultra charges faster. |
| Features | 10W charger in-box | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W, No charger in-box | S21 Ultra offers more convenient charging features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- In-box charger: Includes a charger, saving the user an extra purchase.
- Macro Lens and Wide Angle Lens: Offers more photographic flexibility at the expense of telephoto capabilities.
Practical Implications: The Motorola is a more budget-friendly option that still offers solid performance for everyday tasks and includes some handy camera features for those who like to explore macro and wide-angle photography. The included charger adds value for those not wanting to buy additional accessories.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness for significantly improved viewing experience.
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for demanding tasks and smoother multitasking.
- Professional-Grade Camera System: Higher resolution, telephoto lenses, 8K video recording, and OIS provide a more versatile and higher quality camera experience.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Faster wired charging plus the convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more reliable connections.
- Dual SIM: Capability to use two SIMs at the same time.
- Better audio experience: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Additional Environmental Sensors: Includes a Barometer and Hall, Geomagnetic sensors.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra offers a premium smartphone experience with unmatched performance, a stunning display, and a professional-grade camera system. Its advanced charging features and connectivity options cater to users needing top-tier features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Motorola: Lower display quality, significantly weaker performance, less versatile camera system, and slower charging.
- Samsung: Higher price, slightly heavier, and lacks an included charger, requiring additional expenditure if one is not already owned.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing affordability and good value for basic smartphone functionality.
- Casual users: Primarily using their phones for web browsing, social media, and general communication.
- Users who prioritize battery life and comfortable weight.
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication (calls, texts, emails).
- Social media browsing.
- Casual photography (macro and wide-angle).
- Streaming videos and music.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Power users: Demanding high performance for gaming, multitasking, and content creation.
- Photography enthusiasts: Seeking versatile and top-tier camera quality for photos and videos.
- Users who want a premium mobile experience: Appreciating the high-quality display, build, and advanced features.
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Resource-intensive multitasking.
- Demanding mobile editing and productivity.
- Enjoying high-quality media consumption.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Motorola One 5G Ace: Offers a better price-to-value ratio for budget-conscious users looking for a reliable phone.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: Justifies its premium price with its exceptional features and performance, but the higher cost needs to align with users' budgets.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The price difference between the two phones is significant.
- How important is performance and camera quality? The S21 Ultra is vastly superior in these areas.
- What are your main use cases? Casual use vs. gaming/professional photography will heavily influence the choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If your budget is very limited, and you only need basic smartphone functionality, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a sensible choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Photography Matters: If you need the best performance, photography and display quality, and budget is not a major concern, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Balancing Features and Price: If you need good performance and camera quality, but want to keep costs down, you may want to consider other phones in this price range, as neither of these phones is a middle-ground option.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Reasoning:
While the Motorola One 5G Ace is a more budget-friendly option, the superior performance, display, and camera capabilities of the S21 Ultra make it the clear winner for me. As someone who values a high-quality camera for photography and video, and someone who does multitask and play games on their phone, the S21 Ultra's power is a must have. I am willing to pay the premium for those aspects of the phone, and I am ok with the added weight. The faster charging and wireless charging options are also desirable features for me. Although the lack of in-box charger is a drawback, I would make that compromise to receive all of the other benefits. Ultimately, the S21 Ultra better fits my needs and preferences, making it a worthwhile investment.
