1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, highlighting their key differences and practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | Motorola is slightly narrower and thicker. Samsung might feel wider in hand while the Motorola may feel more compact despite being slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 200g | 197g | Both are virtually the same weight. Negligible difference in portability. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Same screen size; similar viewing experience overall. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Motorola offers a sharper, more detailed display; text and images will appear clearer. |
| PPI | 394 | 446 | Noticeably higher pixel density on Motorola results in a sharper display, reduced pixel visibility. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both provide vibrant colors and deep blacks; minimal practical difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola is slightly smoother during scrolling and animation, although most users won't notice a big difference, especially for standard use. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2500 nits | Motorola will be much more visible in direct sunlight; Samsung might struggle more in very bright outdoor conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Motorola's chip is newer and more powerful. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,523,879 | Motorola has over twice the benchmark score meaning it can handle very demanding tasks smoothly and is better for gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 735 (Adreno 735) | Motorola's GPU is significantly more powerful, leading to better graphics performance in games and GPU intensive apps. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 4500mAh | Samsung has a slightly larger battery but this isn't a very significant difference. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 125W fast charging | Motorola charges much faster. Significantly reduces charging time; convenient for users needing a quick top-up. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | Motorola offers much faster wireless charging and slightly faster reverse wireless charging |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3", 2.00 µm pixel size | Motorola has much higher resolution, larger sensor, and wider aperture allowing it to perform better in low light, resulting in sharper images. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.80 µm pixel size | None | Samsung has dedicated telephoto camera. Good for zoom and portrait shots with better subject background separation. Motorola does not have one, therefore lacks a dedicated zoom and portrait capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76", 0.64 µm pixel size | Motorola has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera with a wider aperture making it better for low-light selfies compared to Samsung. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.4, 1/2", 0.70 µm pixel size | Motorola has a dedicated telephoto lens allowing for greater zoom capabilities and portrait shots. Samsung doesn't. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64 µm pixel size | Motorola has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. Samsung doesn't have it. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm pixel size | None | Samsung has an extra camera for macro photography with a wide angle capability. Motorola has a dedicated macro mode, though it lacks this camera. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Samsung has higher video resolution (8K) though both have other common resolutions. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Mobile: 146, Photo: 150, Video: 134 | Motorola performs significantly better in all camera categories compared to Samsung. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 14, upgradable to 17 | Motorola will receive longer software support. It also has access to the latest Android features and security updates. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | Motorola supports the latest and fastest WiFi standards, offering improved network performance, range and stability. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 | Motorola has more power efficient and reliable Bluetooth connection. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), Beidou | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC | Motorola has better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both offer dual-SIM functionality, however Samsung offers the option for two physical nano sims while Motorola is restricted to one physical and one eSIM. |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 512GB/1024GB | Motorola has significantly more storage capacity, ideal for users with large media libraries or many apps. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB/16GB | Motorola offers better multitasking and more responsive performance, especially with demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, relying solely on the internal storage provided. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Samsung has slightly better audio capabilities with noise cancellation and High-Res support but this is a minimal difference. Motorola has 3 microphones for better sound capture. |
Security & Build
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer standard biometric security. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Both offer similar scratch and shatter resistance. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Barometer, Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung includes additional sensors, especially useful for specific niche applications and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Dedicated telephoto + portrait camera: Provides superior zoom capabilities and portrait shots.
- Wide Angle + Macro camera: Offers dedicated macro lens capabilities.
- 8K Video Recording: Capable of capturing professional-grade video content.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better sound quality for audiophiles.
- Barometer: Provides accurate environmental pressure data.
- Two physical sim slots: Useful for dual sim users.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, resulting in a smoother, faster overall experience.
- Sharper and Brighter Display: Higher resolution and brightness result in a more vivid display, especially in outdoor conditions.
- Faster Charging: 125W fast charging is significantly faster, providing a major convenience for users.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Better performance in low-light conditions and higher image quality for selfies.
- Telephoto and Wide-Angle Lenses: More flexible photography options.
- Significantly Higher DXOMark score: Significantly better photo and video performance
- Newer OS and longer software support: Longer software support and more updated features
- Faster WiFi: Faster and better performing Wi-Fi
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Loses out on performance, screen quality, camera performance and fast charging compared to the Motorola.
- Motorola Edge 50 Ultra: Lacks a dedicated portrait lens but includes a dedicated telephoto lens, but the quality of the zoom and portrait capabilities is very comparable to that of the Samsung. Does not include a barometer and lacks a wide angle + macro camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Photographers focusing on versatility: Users who prioritize a dedicated telephoto lens with 8K video recording, along with high quality audio.
- Users wanting 2 physical sims: Dual sim users who don't want to use an eSIM.
- General users not prioritizing high performance: Users who don't need top-tier performance and gaming capabilities.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts and Gamers: Users who demand the fastest possible performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Users that value camera performance: For users wanting a versatile camera with a high DXOMark score.
- Heavy smartphone users: Those who want the fastest possible charging speeds.
- Outdoor users: Those that use their phone in very bright conditions and need the most visibility.
- Users that want the newest software features: Those who want a phone with the latest Android software.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Professional videography, specific use case photography with the macro lens, users who want 2 physical sim slots, general daily use, listening to hi-res audio
- Motorola Edge 50 Ultra: High-end gaming, heavy multitasking, capturing high-quality selfies, mobile videography, outdoor use, users wanting to future proof their phone with newer features and software.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra offers more modern hardware, better camera performance, a brighter display, faster charging and higher performance. Considering the newer technology included it will likely cost more than the Samsung.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, being an older model, may be more affordable and it does offer features such as the macro lens and 8k video recording.
4. Decision Framework
3 Key Questions:
- How important is performance and gaming to you? If you want the best possible performance and gaming experience, the Motorola is the clear choice.
- Do you prioritize camera flexibility or video resolution? If you need the best possible camera versatility and flexibility go with the Motorola. If you prioritize video quality and 8k resolution choose the Samsung.
- How important is software updates to you If you want a phone that will be supported longer, choose the Motorola.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Casual User: If you prioritize features such as having 2 physical SIM cards and you do not need the highest performance, the S21+ 5G provides a decent all-around experience at a potentially lower cost.
- For the Heavy User: If you want the best possible performance, fastest charging, the most up to date software, and a better camera experience, choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra.
- For the Mobile Photographer: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra offers better camera flexibility and overall quality with a higher DXOMark score. The S21+ has 8k recording, as well as a dedicated telephoto and macro lens.
Conclusion
Personally, I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has some advantages, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra's much higher performance, significantly better screen, significantly better charging, better camera performance, and longer software support make it a more future-proof and well-rounded device. The Motorola provides a much better experience in day-to-day use and is more suitable for more demanding users. The higher performance and the faster charging are just far too significant to overlook.
