1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-05-15 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is significantly newer, indicating more modern features and potentially longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | Motorola is larger, meaning less pocketable but potentially better for media consumption. |
| Weight | 169g | 197g | Samsung is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.7" | Motorola has a larger screen, better for multitasking and media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Motorola has higher pixel density, leading to sharper and more detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 421 | 446 | Motorola display will look slightly sharper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Similar quality, vibrant displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola offers slightly smoother animations, especially in gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | Motorola has significantly better outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Motorola's chip is newer and more powerful, leading to better performance in games and heavy tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,523,879 | Motorola provides significantly smoother and faster performance, particularly in demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 735 | Motorola's GPU offers better graphics processing for gaming and visual tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | Motorola captures more detail and allows for greater cropping. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.6 | Motorola performs better in low-light conditions with a wider aperture. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.3" | Motorola's larger sensor captures more light and detail. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP | None | Samsung has a dedicated telephoto camera for portraits. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 50MP | Motorola offers much higher detail and greater cropping for selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.9 | Motorola selfies perform better in low-light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP | 50MP | Motorola provides a dedicated wide angle camera for wide perspective shots. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP | Motorola offers a dedicated telephoto camera for zoomed in shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | None | Samsung has dedicated wide angle and macro camera for close up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Samsung supports higher video resolution, making it suitable for professional content creation. |
| DXOMARK Mobile Score | 111 | 146 | Motorola's camera performs significantly better overall, particularly in photo and video. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | Motorola likely offers better battery endurance. |
| Charging | 25W | 125W | Motorola charges significantly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | Motorola's wireless charging is much faster. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 4.5W | 10W | Motorola charges other devices faster wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 14, upgradable to 17 | Motorola offers a more modern OS with longer update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Motorola offers faster speeds, lower latency and access to 6GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | Motorola supports newer Bluetooth version with LDAC codec for better audio. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), Beidou | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), SUPL, NavIC | Motorola supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Motorola offers eSIM for easier carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 512 GB/1TB | Motorola offers significantly more storage space. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12/16 GB | Motorola is more suitable for multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both are similar in quality, Samsung includes noise cancelling mic and Motorola offers 3 mics. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Similar basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both phones have good screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung provides a barometer sensor, not available on Motorola. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and pocketable.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher video resolution for professional use.
- Dedicated Telephoto + Portrait Camera: Good for portraits.
- Barometer Sensor: Useful for measuring atmospheric pressure, and related apps.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages
- Significantly better performance: Newer chipset leads to faster app loading and smoother gaming.
- Larger and brighter display: Superior for media consumption and outdoor visibility.
- Much better camera system: Larger sensors, higher resolutions, and better DXOMARK scores.
- Faster charging: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging.
- Larger battery: Improved battery life.
- More RAM and storage: Better multitasking and more space for photos/videos.
- Newer Software: Android 14 with longer upgrade support.
- Latest WiFi and Bluetooth: Faster and more reliable connectivity.
- More advanced GPS: Better location accuracy.
- eSIM Support: Easier switching between carriers.
Trade-offs
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Sacrifices performance and camera quality for a more compact design and 8K video capability.
- Motorola Edge 50 Ultra: Larger and heavier, lacking dedicated macro lens and 8K video, and barometer sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight phone.
- Users who need 8K video recording capabilities.
- Users who prefer a phone with a barometer sensor.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use for calls, messaging, and light browsing.
- Capturing 8K video footage.
- Use of apps requiring atmospheric pressure readings.
- Users who want a more pocketable phone.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
- Ideal User:
- Users who want a powerful phone for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who consume a lot of media and prioritize display quality.
- Users who need a great camera for photos and videos.
- Users who want the fastest charging and latest connectivity.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
- Watching movies and videos.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
- Using the phone for all-day tasks without worrying about battery life.
- Users that need to switch between carriers easily.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- How important is size and weight? If a compact phone is essential, the Samsung is better. If screen size is important, the Motorola is better.
- How crucial is camera quality? For demanding users, the Motorola significantly outperforms the Samsung.
- How critical is performance and battery life? The Motorola is far superior for gaming, demanding apps, and battery endurance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you mostly browse the internet, check social media, and send messages, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G might be sufficient, especially if you value its compact size.
- Scenario 2: Content Creator: If you record videos and need high video resolution (8K) and a barometer, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G will fit the bill. However, the Motorola will have better photo quality and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Power User/Gamer: If you need a smooth and powerful phone for gaming and demanding apps, and value camera quality, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the better choice.
- Scenario 4: Media Consumption: If you watch a lot of videos and movies and need a large and bright display, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is significantly better.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra.
Reasoning:
While I appreciate the compact size of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, the significant advantages of the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra are simply too compelling. The dramatically better performance, larger and brighter display, superior camera system, faster charging, increased storage and RAM, and the latest connectivity standards make it a more future-proof and versatile device.
I value smooth performance for day-to-day tasks and occasional gaming. The Motorola's faster chipset, higher RAM, and larger battery would provide a better user experience. As an avid photographer, the superior camera system on the Motorola with its higher-resolution sensors and better low-light performance, would also be more appealing to me. The improved battery life and faster charging is an added bonus, reducing range anxiety. The faster connectivity would also allow me to take advantage of the newer WiFi standards on my home network. While I understand some users may value the compactness of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra's benefits outweigh this trade-off for my needs.
