1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers a unique foldable design, enhancing portability and enabling flexible usage modes. The Galaxy S21+ 5G is a traditional slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 170.8 × 74 × 7 mm (Unfolded) | Razr 40 Ultra is taller when unfolded but narrower, and slightly thinner. Overall volume slightly less than S21+, but this difference is minimized when folded |
| Weight | 200g | 184.5g | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and carrying around. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.9" | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra provides a marginally larger display area for content consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2640 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a slightly sharper display, offering slightly more clarity. |
| PPI | 394 | 413 | Both phones have similar pixel density, offering very sharp images; Razr 40 Ultra is slightly higher |
| Technology | AMOLED | | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G likely has superior blacks, contrast and color vibrancy, better battery efficiency with dark mode |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra delivers noticeably smoother scrolling, animations and gameplay. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1400 nits | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight due to higher maximum brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a newer and more powerful chipset, providing superior performance in demanding tasks and better energy efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,238,000 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra provides significantly faster performance, resulting in quicker app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra’s GPU is more modern and generally faster than the Mali in the S21+ |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 3800mAh | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a larger battery, potentially offering significantly better battery life, suitable for extended use and less frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra supports faster wired charging, reducing the time required to recharge the battery. |
| Features | Wireless 15W, Reverse Wireless 4.5W | Wireless 8W | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has superior wireless charging capabilities and reverse wireless charging, allowing the phone to charge accessories. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 12MP, f/1.5, µm | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a wider aperture, potentially resulting in better low-light performance. S21+ has a larger sensor. |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G features a telephoto lens enabling optical zoom, useful for capturing distant subjects with detail. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra doesn't have a dedicated telephoto camera. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 32MP, f/2.45, µm | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a higher resolution selfie camera, capturing more detailed images, but Samsung has a wider aperture. |
| Wide/Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 13MP, f/2.2, µm | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a slightly higher resolution wide-angle camera. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers higher resolution video capabilities, potentially suitable for professional use. |
| DXOMark | Mobile 111, Photo 118, Video 89 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a tested and respectable camera performance. The Razr does not have a DXOMark score to compare against |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages
- Larger Battery: Significantly larger battery capacity leads to potentially longer battery life, crucial for heavy users or those who dislike frequent charging.
- Telephoto Camera: Dedicated telephoto lens offers optical zoom, enabling better image quality when capturing distant subjects.
- Better Wireless Charging: Faster wireless charging speeds and reverse wireless charging provides more convenience for charging wirelessly and other accessories.
- Comprehensive Camera Features: Extensive set of camera features including 8k recording, optical zoom, and manual settings, providing more creative control.
- Established Camera Performance: Backed by a tested and respectable camera performance according to DXOMark.
- Wider Bluetooth Support: Full featured Bluetooth stack.
- More Satellite Positioning: More accurate GPS system, with dual-band GPS support.
- Environmental Sensors: Barometer offers more comprehensive sensor set for use in environmental monitoring and applications.
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra Advantages
- Foldable Design: Unique foldable design enhances portability and offers multiple usage modes, allowing for more flexibility.
- Superior Performance: Newer and more powerful chipset results in much faster overall performance, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Significantly smoother animations, scrolling, and gameplay due to the 165Hz refresh rate display.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility due to higher peak brightness.
- Faster Charging: Faster wired charging reduces downtime and is convenient for quick top-ups.
- Newer WiFi Standard: Offers faster WiFi speeds and less network interference.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Offers newer Bluetooth Standard.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: Higher resolution selfie camera for more detail in photos.
- More RAM: Larger 12GB RAM option is available.
- More Storage: Larger 512GB storage option is available.
- More Updated Software: The device runs a more modern version of Android.
Trade-offs
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Trade-offs include a less powerful chipset and lower refresh rate display. The standard design may be considered less innovative compared to the foldable Razr 40 Ultra.
- Motorola Razr 40 Ultra: Trade-offs include a smaller battery, lack of telephoto lens, and reduced wireless charging capabilities. The foldable screen may also have potential durability concerns.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, reliable camera performance with optical zoom, and a more traditional, familiar smartphone experience.
- Use Cases:
- Extended periods of use without charging, like traveling or outdoor adventures.
- Photography enthusiasts who appreciate a zoom lens for capturing diverse scenes.
- Users who prefer a more conventional smartphone experience and don't need foldable design.
- Users who value complete camera feature set and manual controls.
- Users who need full-featured Bluetooth support.
- Users who need enhanced location accuracy.
- Users who prefer to use wireless charging often.
- Price-to-Value: The S21+ 5G might offer better value if found at a lower price point due to its age.
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
- Ideal User: Tech-savvy users who want a unique foldable design, high-end performance, and a cutting-edge smartphone experience.
- Use Cases:
- Users who want a compact phone that can be expanded into a large-screen device.
- Users who prioritize fast performance, smooth display, and cutting-edge features.
- Users who want the novelty and convenience of a foldable design for media consumption and multitasking.
- Users who prefer the flexibility of a foldable form factor.
- Users who want a more modern software experience.
- Price-to-Value: Razr 40 Ultra is generally more expensive, reflecting its premium features, newer technology and cutting-edge design.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is more important: Battery life or Performance? The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a much larger battery, while the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a faster processor.
- How valuable is the foldable design to you? The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers a unique foldable design, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is a standard slab phone.
- Do you prioritize wireless charging convenience or wired charging speed? The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers more versatile wireless charging features, while the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has faster wired charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: The Power User - If you heavily use your phone throughout the day and often rely on it for work or multimedia, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G's longer battery life is advantageous despite the better performance of the Motorola.
- Scenario 2: The Tech Enthusiast - If you value the latest tech and want a phone that is cutting edge, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra's foldable design and superior performance make it a better choice.
- Scenario 3: The Photographer - If your passion is mobile photography, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G’s telephoto lens, and extensive camera features may make it the more practical option, especially if video is important and you need 8k recording.
- Scenario 4: The On-the-Go User - If portability and quick charging is a must, then the lighter Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, which charges faster with a smaller profile when folded, would be a better selection.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra. The primary reason is the superior performance and smoother display experience it provides. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has a better battery and telephoto camera, the overall experience on the Razr 40 Ultra would be significantly faster and more enjoyable due to the higher refresh rate, more powerful chipset, and more modern OS. As someone who values fast and smooth performance, this would be my go-to choice.
Additionally, the foldable design, while potentially a point of concern for durability, provides a more unique and convenient experience that I find appealing. The smaller footprint when folded adds to its portability, making it easier to carry around.
While the S21+ 5G is a solid all-around phone, the sheer power and innovative design of the Razr 40 Ultra win out in my personal needs and priorities.
