Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Motorola Razr 50 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Razr 50 Ultra can fold, making it more pocketable. The S21 is a traditional slab design. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 171.4 x 74 x 7.1 mm | The Razr 50 Ultra is taller and wider but thinner. The S21 is more compact when unfolded. |
| Weight | 169g | 189g | The S21 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for long use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.2" | 6.9" | The Razr 50 Ultra offers a larger screen for more immersive media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | The Razr 50 Ultra has a slightly sharper display, though both are very similar. |
| PPI | 421 | 413 | Both phones offer similar sharpness, making individual pixels difficult to discern. |
| Technology | AMOLED | The S21 has a superior display technology (AMOLED), offering deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors and energy efficiency for dark themes. The Razr 50 Ultra display tech is missing from the specs. | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | The Razr 50 Ultra provides a smoother visual experience for animations and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 3000 nits | The Razr 50 Ultra is significantly brighter, offering excellent visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Razr 50 Ultra features a newer, more powerful chipset for faster processing and better energy efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,625,000 | The Razr 50 Ultra performs significantly better, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 735 | The Razr 50 Ultra has a significantly more powerful GPU for graphically intensive tasks and gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96" | The Razr 50 Ultra captures more detailed photos. The S21 has larger pixels, allowing it to capture more light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76" | The S21 offers higher resolution and a larger sensor, which could result in better zoom and portrait shots with more detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3" | The Razr 50 Ultra captures higher resolution selfies, though with a slightly narrower aperture. |
| Wide Angle/Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | The S21 offers a wide-angle lens, ideal for capturing landscape and group photos. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | The S21 has higher video recording resolution up to 8K. Both have stabilization features. |
| DxoMark | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | Not available | The S21's camera has a known performance benchmark from DxoMark (mobile and selfie) as a point of comparison while the Razr 50 Ultra is untested. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity for daily usage, however power consumption will vary by use. |
| Charging | 25W wired | 45W wired | The Razr 50 Ultra charges significantly faster, allowing for quicker power replenishment. |
| Features | Wireless 15W, Reverse wireless 4.5W | Wireless 15W | The S21 offers additional wireless charging capabilities. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 17) | The Razr 50 Ultra has a more recent version of Android and offers more years of software updates and security patches. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Razr 50 Ultra supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, leading to faster speeds and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE | The Razr 50 Ultra has a newer version of Bluetooth for more efficient data transfer. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | The Razr 50 Ultra offers eSIM support for more flexibility in carrier options. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | The Razr 50 Ultra has more storage options to accommodate large media libraries. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | The Razr 50 Ultra offers more RAM which makes it more suitable for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage via SD card. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Motorola Razr 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation mic. | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Razr 50 Ultra has better audio capture via three mics, while the S21 offers noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Razr 50 Ultra offers a more advanced fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both have similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The S21 has additional environmental sensors which may be important for niche use cases. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- More Compact: Its smaller size and lighter weight make it more comfortable for single-handed use and portability, it's easy to fit into pockets and purses.
- Advanced Camera Features: Offers 8K video recording, a dedicated wide angle lens and a robust telephoto lens.
- Known Camera Performance: The S21 is a more mature product with a known camera performance benchmark via DxoMark.
- Additional Audio features: Noise cancellation microphone.
- Additional sensors: Has an environmental sensor suite, such as the barometer, which might be helpful to some users.
Motorola Razr 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers unique flexibility and a more compact form factor when folded for more portability.
- Superior Performance: Newer chipset and significantly higher benchmark scores for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness for much better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 45W fast charging offers quicker battery replenishment.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers higher storage capacity and more RAM for better multitasking.
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer version of Android and better software update support.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard and Bluetooth 5.3.
- Better Audio recording: three microphones.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has a better camera array overall with the inclusion of a wide-angle lens and 8k video recording, but lacks the processing power of the Razr 50 Ultra. It is also an older design with less software update support.
- The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is more expensive and has a larger size when unfolded. The camera system, while higher resolution, lacks a wide-angle lens and is untested in the DXOMARK labs.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize portability and a comfortable one-handed use.
- Users who require robust camera functionality and advanced video features for content creation.
- Users who prioritize a known camera performance due to it being tested in DxoMark Labs.
- Users who want a more traditional smartphone experience and don't need the unique aspects of a foldable device.
- Users who are looking for a well-rounded smartphone at a lower price point.
Use Cases for S21 5G:
- Casual photography and videography.
- Everyday social media and communication.
- Mobile gaming on moderate settings.
- Users who need to capture wide-angle shots or 8k videos.
Motorola Razr 50 Ultra Ideal User:
- Tech enthusiasts who value innovation and a unique foldable design.
- Users who prioritize performance for demanding tasks such as gaming, multitasking, and video editing.
- Users who spend a lot of time outdoors and need a bright screen.
- Users who prioritize having the latest software updates.
- Users who are looking for a premium device with modern features and are willing to pay a higher price for a foldable experience.
Use Cases for Razr 50 Ultra:
- Demanding mobile gaming and graphics intensive tasks.
- Heavy multitasking and app switching.
- Viewing content and navigating the screen in bright sunlight.
- Users who want the novelty and flexibility of a folding display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prefer a traditional smartphone design or a foldable device? This is the biggest deciding factor as it determines form factor and portability.
- Do you prioritize camera capabilities and advanced video features or raw performance and display brightness? The S21 has a better video recording and a wide angle lens; Razr 50 Ultra offers better processing and a higher refresh rate screen.
- What is your budget, and are you comfortable with the price for the foldable tech? The Razr 50 Ultra is a newer, more expensive phone, while the S21 5G is an older model with a lower price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a user who wants a reliable, compact, photography-focused phone with excellent camera at a reasonable price: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is suitable due to its advanced camera system and more compact design.
- For a user who wants top-tier performance, the latest software, cutting edge technology, and a brighter screen, and is willing to pay a premium: The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra is the better choice due to its processing power and foldable form factor.
- For a user who needs a new device and plans to use it primarily indoors with limited multi-tasking: Both phones are capable but the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra has better single-core performance, battery charging time, and software/hardware updates with the premium features.
- For a user who wants a phone that can capture high quality video content outdoors: The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G with its 8k recording, wide angle lens and known DxOMark mobile benchmark is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a capable phone, the Razr 50 Ultra's significantly higher performance, brighter display, faster charging, and foldable design provide a more compelling experience for me personally. I also value having the latest Android updates and better long term software support. Though it’s a trade off in terms of camera features and portability, the overall tech and performance of the Motorola is more appealing to me as a tech enthusiast. Additionally, the foldable design offers a unique user experience that I find interesting and more convenient in some scenarios.
