Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | S21+ is slightly wider, Edge 30 Ultra is slightly thicker, very similar hand feel |
| Weight | 200g | 198.5g | Both feel very similar in weight |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness and clarity |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Indistinguishable pixel density |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 Ultra is slightly smoother for gaming and scrolling |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1250 nits | S21+ is slightly brighter in direct sunlight but similar in most conditions |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Edge 30 Ultra offers significantly faster processing for all tasks |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,231,300 | Edge 30 Ultra is substantially faster in benchmarks, better for demanding apps and gaming |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Edge 30 Ultra has a more powerful GPU for gaming and graphics |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 200MP | Edge 30 Ultra has higher megapixel count, may offer more detail in ideal conditions |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.76" | 1/1.22" | Edge 30 Ultra has larger sensor, usually better low light performance |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.95 | S21+ has a slightly wider aperture, may offer minor advantages in low light |
| Telephoto + Portrait Lens | 64MP | None | S21+ provides a dedicated lens for portrait and zoom shots |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP | Edge 30 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP (Wide + Macro) | 50MP | Edge 30 Ultra has a dedicated wide-angle lens |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 60MP | Edge 30 Ultra has significantly higher resolution selfies |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | 1/2.8" | Edge 30 Ultra has a slightly larger sensor, may be better in low light |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Very similar video quality |
| DxOMark | 111 (Mobile) | Not Tested | S21+ has a DxOMark Score, a benchmark for camera quality, Edge 30 Ultra doesn't |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4610mAh | Both offer similar battery life, one will not dramatically outlast the other |
| Charging | 25W | 125W | Edge 30 Ultra charges significantly faster |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | Edge 30 Ultra wireless charging is significantly faster |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 4.5W | 10W | Edge 30 Ultra's reverse wireless charging is faster, but neither phone is ideal for using this feature often |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | S21+ has better long-term software update support |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | Edge 30 Ultra supports Wi-Fi MiMO which can offer slightly improved performance in some network configurations |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Edge 30 Ultra has the newer version of Bluetooth |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SUPL, Galileo | Edge 30 Ultra has more GPS systems, better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | S21+ can use an eSIM for digital SIM card management |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Both offer same max storage options |
| RAM | 8GB | 8/12GB | Edge 30 Ultra has a 12GB option for better multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | S21+ has better audio features like Hi-Res Audio |
| Other | |||
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones provide basic fingerprint security |
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | S21+ has superior scratch resistance |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21+ has additional environmental sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better scratch resistance compared to Gorilla Glass 5.
- Longer Software Support: The S21+ is eligible for more OS updates.
- eSIM Support: Can use an eSIM in addition to a physical SIM card, for more flexibility with carriers.
- Better Audio Features: Has features like Hi-Res Audio and noise cancellation microphone.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens and Macro Lens: Offers a versatile camera setup with a dedicated telephoto lens and a wide angle+macro lens.
- DxOMark Score: The presence of a DxOMark provides an indicator of established camera quality.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides much faster processing for all tasks, especially gaming.
- Faster Charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities significantly reduce charging times.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 200MP main sensor offers potentially more detailed images in ideal conditions.
- Better GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 60MP selfie camera captures more detailed self-portraits.
- Telephoto and Wide Angle Lens: Dedicated Telephoto and Wide Angle lens.
- Optional 12GB RAM: Offers a 12GB RAM option for superior multitasking and gaming.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports Bluetooth 5.2 for better connectivity.
- Screen Refresh Rate: Slightly smoother 144Hz display.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21+ sacrifices performance for additional camera features, software support, and slightly better screen protection.
- The Edge 30 Ultra sacrifices the telephoto + portrait lens and macro lens, some software updates, and the higher audio features for a substantially faster processor, faster charging, and a higher-resolution main camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Users who prioritize a versatile camera system with telephoto and macro lenses.
- Those who prefer a phone with a long lifespan of software updates.
- Users who often use wireless charging and reverse wireless charging and want a decent level of performance.
- Individuals who listen to music and appreciate higher audio fidelity.
- Users who value better scratch resistance of their display.
Specific Use Cases for S21+:
- Travel photography, capturing various scenes with different lenses
- Long-term use, knowing the phone will receive several Android OS updates
- Using wireless charging at home or on the go.
- Listening to high-quality music with compatible headphones.
- Users wanting a phone with a well-established camera reputation with a tested benchmark score.
Ideal User for Motorola Edge 30 Ultra:
- Users who prioritize top-tier performance for gaming, heavy multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Those who need exceptionally fast charging, both wired and wireless.
- Users who want a higher resolution main camera, better selfie performance, and the convenience of a dedicated wide-angle and telephoto lens.
- Users who need the best location accuracy with a better GPS system.
Specific Use Cases for Edge 30 Ultra:
- Mobile gaming with demanding titles, needing optimal performance.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks and being on the go.
- Taking high-resolution photos and videos.
- Users who want a large upgrade from an older phone with better all around performance.
- Users that want an all-rounder with the best performance.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Edge 30 Ultra generally offers a higher price-to-performance ratio, providing flagship-level performance at a competitive price.
- The S21+ may offer a better value for users who prioritize camera features, better software support, and good audio features. The price for the S21+ will also likely be lower than the Edge 30 Ultra since it is an older model.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance to me? (Gaming, app loading, multitasking, etc.)
- Which camera features are most important? (Telephoto lens, macro lens, high-resolution main camera, selfie camera, etc.)
- Is long term software support a must? (Software updates, security patches)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming enthusiast needing maximum performance. Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra - Superior chipset, refresh rate, and faster charging make it ideal for demanding games.
- Scenario 2: Photography enthusiast wanting a versatile camera. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G - Dedicated telephoto and macro lenses with a tested DxOMark score, and slightly brighter screen make it a solid choice.
- Scenario 3: User who wants a long lasting phone with consistent updates. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G - This phone has the better software upgrade support and a better screen protection for long term usage.
- Scenario 4: User who values a balance of price and performance and wants the newest features. Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Ultra - Newer and better performance, at a comparable price point.
- Scenario 5: User who values audio features and recording. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G - Additional audio features like Hi-Res Audio and noise canceling microphone.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. Here's why:
Performance: I value performance above all else in a smartphone. The significant jump in processing power with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, along with the faster refresh rate and optional 12GB of RAM, means the Edge 30 Ultra would handle anything I throw at it without breaking a sweat.
Charging Speed: Having exceptionally fast charging (both wired and wireless) is a game-changer for someone always on the go. Not being tethered to an outlet for too long makes a huge difference.
Camera Versatility: While I do appreciate a good telephoto lens, the 200MP main camera and 60MP selfie shooter on the Motorola are compelling, especially when combined with the dedicated wide-angle lens.
Newer Technology: As a tech enthusiast, I like the fact that the Motorola is the newer device and carries some newer technology with it.
While the S21+ has its merits, like better software updates and a telephoto+macro lens, the sheer performance and charging capabilities of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra, plus the additional camera flexibility, make it the more appealing choice for me.
