Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, focusing on their real-world impact:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Razr 40 Ultra offers a unique foldable design, enabling a smaller footprint when closed and a larger screen when open. S21 5G is a standard design. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 170.8 x 74 x 7 mm | Razr 40 Ultra is taller and slightly wider. S21 5G is thicker. Razr 40 Ultra is more pocketable when folded. |
| Weight | 169g | 184.5g | S21 5G is noticeably lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.9" | Razr 40 Ultra provides a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2640 | Razr 40 Ultra has a slightly sharper display due to the higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density | 421 PPI | 413 PPI | Both have very sharp displays, with minimal difference noticeable to the naked eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unspecified | S21 5G's AMOLED display likely offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | Razr 40 Ultra has a smoother scrolling experience thanks to the higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1400 nits | Razr 40 Ultra is slightly more visible in bright outdoor conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Razr 40 Ultra has a more powerful and efficient chipset, leading to better performance in demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,238,000 | Razr 40 Ultra offers significantly faster overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Razr 40 Ultra's GPU will provide better graphics performance, especially noticeable in demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", Sony IMX555, 1.8µm | 12MP, f/1.5 | Razr 40 Ultra's wider aperture allows more light, resulting in potentially better low-light performance. S21 5G has detailed sensor information. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", Samsung Bright S5KGW2, 0.8µm | Not available | S21 5G offers dedicated optical zoom capabilities for better quality zoomed photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", Sony IMX374, 1.22µm | 32MP, f/2.45 | Razr 40 Ultra has higher resolution selfies. S21 5G has a wider aperture, which could result in better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.4µm | 13MP, f/2.2 | Razr 40 Ultra provides marginally better wide angle resolution. Both have the same aperture. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, various modes | Up to 4K@60fps, various modes | S21 5G offers higher 8K video resolution, while the Razr 40 Ultra is limited to 4K. |
| DXOMark Scores | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | Not Available | S21 5G has been tested, while the Razr 40 Ultra lacks such scores. |
| Camera Features | Extensive features including Optical Zoom, 8K Video, and Night Mode | Various modes including Time-Lapse and Night Vision | S21 5G has dedicated telephoto zoom and better video capabilities. Razr 40 Ultra has laser autofocus and "Ultra stable video". |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 3800 mAh | S21 5G may offer slightly longer battery life due to a larger capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Razr 40 Ultra charges slightly faster. |
| Other Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse | 8W Wireless | S21 5G has faster wireless charging, and slightly faster reverse wireless charging. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 13 (up to 16) | Razr 40 Ultra has a newer OS and longer potential OS update support. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | Razr 40 Ultra has newer WiFi standard for faster speeds and reduced latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | Razr 40 Ultra has newer bluetooth version. S21 5G has a more comprehensive bluetooth profile support. |
| GPS | More systems (L1+L5, E1+E5a) | More systems (SUPL) | S21 5G can potentially get more precise location in challenging environments; Razr 40 Ultra offers a different system for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | Razr 40 Ultra offers eSIM support, allowing users to easily switch carriers, while the S21 5G only supports physical SIMs. |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Razr 40 Ultra offers larger storage options. Both have non-expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB/12GB | Razr 40 Ultra may offer smoother multitasking with the 12GB RAM option. |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Stereo speakers, 3 mics | S21 5G has a dedicated noise cancellation microphone, Razr 40 Ultra has 3 mics. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Razr 40 Ultra offers a side mounted fingerprint sensor, generally considered faster and more reliable in day-to-day usage. S21 5G has a basic sensor. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both offer the same level of screen protection. |
| Sensors | Barometer, etc | Gravity, etc | S21 5G has a more comprehensive set of environmental sensors. Both have all basic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages
- More Comprehensive Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens for optical zoom, which the Razr 40 Ultra lacks. Offers better overall video resolution (up to 8K) and DXOMark scores for comparison.
- Lighter and More Compact: Significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. More compact in standard form when compared to the Motorola device.
- Faster Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Offers faster wireless charging and a reverse wireless charging speed.
- Advanced Sensor Suite: Includes a barometer and other environmental sensors for added functionality.
- Established Display Technology: Comes with an AMOLED screen known for vibrant colors.
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra Advantages
- Unique Foldable Design: Offers a distinctive form factor, combining portability with a large display.
- More Powerful Performance: Equipped with a significantly more powerful Snapdragon chipset and Adreno GPU, resulting in faster performance.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Offers smoother display with a 165Hz refresh rate.
- Newer OS and Potentially Longer Updates: Ships with Android 13 and is likely to receive longer OS support.
- Faster Charging: Features a 30W faster charging.
- eSIM Support: Supports eSIM for digital carrier switching.
- Larger Storage Options and RAM: Offers 512GB storage option, and 12GB RAM options for better multitasking.
- Potentially Better Low Light Camera Performance: Has wider aperture in the main camera for more light capture
- Better WiFi Standard: Supports WiFi 6E which is the newer, faster WiFi standard
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Faster and more reliable.
- Latest Bluetooth: Comes with the latest bluetooth 5.3 standard.
Trade-offs
- S21 5G sacrifices the foldable design and top tier performance for a more conventional experience, plus telephoto camera.
- Razr 40 Ultra sacrifices a comprehensive camera system, more compact design, and some charging features for a foldable screen, performance and modern features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with optical zoom and 8K video recording.
- Users Prioritizing Portability and Comfort: Those who prefer a lightweight, standard form factor for comfortable single-handed use.
- Users Looking for Established Brands: Those who prefer Samsung's ecosystem and feature set.
- Cost-Conscious Buyers: Can be found at lower prices, making it a good value option if you don't need a foldable.
Use Cases:
- Taking high-quality photos and videos.
- Comfortable all day use due to its light weight.
- Utilizing Samsung's ecosystem for features and apps.
- Basic to advanced smartphone tasks, with a need for a great camera.
Ideal Users for Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
- Tech Enthusiasts and Early Adopters: Those who want the latest technology and a unique foldable design.
- Power Users and Gamers: Users who need top performance for demanding tasks.
- Users Prioritizing Multitasking: Those who want the option for larger storage and ram.
- Users Seeking Latest Features: Those looking for eSIM, better wifi standards, and better fingerprint sensor.
- Users who prefer a Pocketable Device: Those who need a smaller footprint while still having a large screen.
Use Cases:
- Using the large display for media consumption and multitasking.
- Running demanding games and applications.
- Utilizing the foldable design for portability and convenience.
- Traveling and using eSim for multiple carriers.
Price-to-Value Ratio
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G generally offers better value for cost-conscious consumers seeking a capable all-arounder, especially with discounts for an older model. The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is pricier, appealing to users who value the foldable design, premium performance, and latest features regardless of price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Foldable or Standard? Do you value the unique foldable design and portability of the Razr 40 Ultra, or do you prefer the more standard, conventional design of the S21 5G?
- Performance or Camera? Do you prioritize top-tier processing power and gaming performance, or do you need a comprehensive camera system with optical zoom and high-resolution video?
- Budget and Value? Are you on a budget and looking for a good value, or are you okay with paying a premium for unique features and top of the line performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Photography focused): If your primary need is a great camera with zoom capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is the better choice because of the included telephoto lens and more versatile camera system.
- Scenario 2 (Performance focused): If you're a gamer or a power user who needs top performance and latest features, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is the better choice, thanks to its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, 165hz display, and 12GB RAM options.
- Scenario 3 (Budget-conscious): If cost is a major consideration, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G offers a good balance of features and value, especially as an older device.
- Scenario 4 (Unique Design): If you are drawn to unique technology, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra's foldable design is a unique advantage.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would select the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra. While I appreciate the S21 5G's camera system and more comfortable weight, the Razr 40 Ultra's cutting-edge foldable design, superior performance, newer OS, and modern features (such as eSIM and Wi-Fi 6E) are more appealing to me. The ability to have a large screen that folds to a more compact size is also a big selling point. While the price is definitely higher, the unique form factor and overall experience make it more compelling for my needs. I also enjoy technology and like the performance boost. I do not care as much for having an optical zoom. I am also okay with sacrificing some battery performance for the sake of better charging speeds.
