1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | The Zenfone 11 Ultra is noticeably larger and thicker, making the S21+ 5G more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 224g | The S21+ 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less fatiguing. |
| Build Material | Not specified | Not specified | The impact is unknown since build material isn't listed. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference; both offer a large screen for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness; the naked eye will not perceive a difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 388 | Both screens are very sharp. The naked eye will perceive a negligible difference in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast; both offer similar visual experiences. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a slightly smoother scrolling and animation experience, though the difference might not be noticeable to all users. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers significantly better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight, making it easier to use outside. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Zenfone 11 Ultra's newer chipset offers significantly faster performance, better efficiency, and more advanced features. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra demonstrates significantly higher performance, enabling faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming experiences. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra has a much more powerful GPU, translating to superior graphics performance in games and other graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | The Zenfone 11 Ultra captures more detailed images, allowing for more cropping and editing flexibility. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | The S21+ 5G potentially gathers slightly more light, offering slightly better performance in low-light conditions. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.56" | Zenfone 11 Ultra's larger sensor could result in better low-light performance due to its ability to gather more light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Lens | 64MP | None | The S21+ 5G offers a dedicated telephoto camera for better optical zoom and portrait mode effects. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 32MP | The Zenfone 11 Ultra captures sharper, more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.5 | The S21+ 5G potentially performs slightly better in low-light conditions for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 13MP | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a dedicated ultra-wide lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12.2MP | None | The S21+ 5G allows for close-up macro shots using its wide angle camera. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, multiple options | Up to 8K@24fps, multiple options | Both offer professional grade video recording capabilities. |
| DXOMARK Mobile Score | 111 | 125 | The Zenfone 11 Ultra demonstrates superior camera performance in all areas tested (photo, video, etc). |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, Manual focus, Night Mode | Gimbal, PDAF Omnidericional | The S21+ 5G offers optical zoom and night mode capabilities while Zenfone 11 Ultra offers gimbal stabilization and PDAF omnidirectional focus. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5500mAh | The Zenfone 11 Ultra offers longer battery life, allowing users to go longer between charges. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The Zenfone 11 Ultra charges much faster, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless, No charge in-box | 15W wireless, 10W reverse wired | The S21+ 5G offers more versatile wireless charging options, while the Zenfone 11 Ultra provides reverse wired charging capabilities, although they may not be as convenient. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: More comfortable for prolonged use and easier to carry around.
- More versatile wireless charging options: Supports both regular and reverse wireless charging.
- Telephoto + portrait camera: Provides better zoom and portrait photography.
- Manual Focus: The manual focus feature on the S21+ allows for more control over the shot.
- Night Mode: The inclusion of a dedicated Night Mode allows better low-light shots.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly better performance: The newer Snapdragon chipset provides much faster speeds.
- Significantly brighter display: Better visibility in direct sunlight for clear outdoor usage.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life, allowing more usage without recharging.
- Faster Charging: Charges much quicker, saving a lot of time.
- Significantly better camera performance: Scores significantly higher on DXOMARK and has a higher resolution main and front cameras, along with dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses for greater versatility.
- Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Faster wireless connectivity and better audio transmission.
- Gimbal: The gimbal feature allows for more stable videos.
- PDAF Omnidericional: This feature allows for faster focusing.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with a newer version of Android.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ 5G trades performance and display brightness for a lighter and more compact design with better wireless charging options.
- The Zenfone 11 Ultra is larger, heavier and has less wireless charging options, but offers significantly better performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and a brighter display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Users who value a compact design: Those who prioritize portability and single-handed use.
- Users who want a solid camera with specific features: Users who take a lot of photos and utilize optical zoom or night mode often.
- Users who utilize wireless charging: Those who prefer the convenience of wireless charging.
- Users who want a mid range device: Those who want a phone that performs well but aren't looking for top-tier performance.
Use Cases:
- Everyday use with easy one-handed operation.
- Casual photography and videography, with a focus on portraits and telephoto shots.
- Frequent travelers who want a compact, reliable smartphone with wireless charging options.
Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Ideal User:
- Power users and gamers: Individuals who need top-tier performance for demanding apps and gaming.
- Users who consume a lot of media outdoors: Users who need a bright display for comfortable outdoor usage.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts: Those who need a versatile camera system with high-quality images, gimbal stabilization and telephoto capabilities.
- Users who want the latest software and faster connectivity: Those who want to benefit from the newest technologies available.
- Users who value battery life: Those who need their phone to last all day without needing a recharge.
Use Cases:
- High-intensity gaming and resource-intensive applications.
- Taking photos and videos in varied lighting conditions, with an emphasis on zoom and wide-angle shots.
- Traveling and on-the-go use, with the need for extended battery life and fast charging.
- Consuming multimedia content in bright and outdoor locations.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
What is your priority: Portability or Performance?
- If you value a smaller, lighter design and do not need top-tier performance, the S21+ 5G is better.
- If you need a top-tier smartphone with excellent performance, then the Zenfone 11 Ultra is the better choice.
How often will you be using the phone in direct sunlight?
- If you frequently use your phone outdoors, the Zenfone 11 Ultra's brighter display makes it much more practical.
- If you mainly use your phone indoors, the S21+ 5G may be sufficient.
Which camera features are most important to you?
- If you prefer optical zoom and detailed portraits, the S21+ 5G may be suitable, however the Zenfone 11 Ultra is much better in other areas and provides a telephoto zoom lens, wide angle lens and far better camera performance overall.
- If you need a versatile camera with exceptional image and video quality with gimble stabilization, the Zenfone 11 Ultra is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, and value a light, portable design, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a suitable choice.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: If you are an avid gamer or need your phone for heavy multitasking, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is the clear winner due to its superior performance, larger battery, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you value camera performance and versatility, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra is superior due to its higher quality camera sensors, telephoto lens, and wide-angle lens.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor User: If you spend a lot of time outdoors, the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a brighter screen for outdoor readability.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra. While I appreciate the compact nature of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, the Zenfone 11 Ultra's significant advantages in performance, display brightness, battery life, and camera capabilities are far more important for my use case. I prioritize performance and camera quality, and the Zenfone 11 Ultra offers a much more compelling experience in these key areas. The improved charging speed and better display visibility are also big advantages for me, making it a much more practical choice. Although it's larger and heavier, the benefits in other areas outweigh those disadvantages.
