1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 14 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-09-16 | iPhone 14 is newer by roughly 1.5 years, potentially offering longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm | S21 Ultra is larger and bulkier, harder to use one-handed; iPhone 14 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 227g | 172g | S21 Ultra is significantly heavier, which might lead to fatigue during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.1" | S21 Ultra offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking; iPhone 14 is more compact for single-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1170x2532 | S21 Ultra has a sharper display, leading to finer details and crisper text. |
| PPI | 515 | 460 | S21 Ultra provides better clarity, especially noticeable for detailed images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but AMOLED usually has better contrast and brightness. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations, noticeably better for gaming and social media. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1200 nits | S21 Ultra is significantly brighter, offering better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | iPhone 14 chipset is newer, it handles complex tasks smoother and faster than S21 Ultra, offering better gaming performance and smoother app experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,324,887 | iPhone 14 offers a significantly faster experience overall, handling demanding apps and games with ease. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Apple GPU (5-core) | iPhone 14 generally has better graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and enhanced graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3279mAh | S21 Ultra has a larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life between charges; However, battery life depends on various factors. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | S21 Ultra offers slightly faster charging speeds, minimizing downtime spent charging. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless (15W), Reverse Wireless (9W) | MagSafe (15W), Qi (7.5W) | S21 Ultra has more flexibility in charging options; iPhone 14's MagSafe is convenient for compatible accessories. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66" | S21 Ultra captures more detail in ideal conditions, however, the iPhone 14 has larger pixels for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" & 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra offers more versatility in zooming capabilities, allowing detailed close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55" | S21 Ultra offers a Macro + Wide Angle lens. iPhone 14 has a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 12MP, f/1.9 | S21 Ultra has much higher resolution for selfies. iPhone 14 has wider aperture resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | S21 Ultra provides higher resolution video, suitable for professional video recording. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 115 | 133 | iPhone 14 provides a superior overall mobile camera experience. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 135 | 144 | iPhone 14 has a superior selfie camera experience. |
| Features | 8K, Optical Zoom, Quad Camera | Ultra Stable Video, Dual Camera | S21 Ultra offers advanced zoom, while iPhone 14 focuses on smooth video capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | iOS 16 (Upgradable to 18) | iPhone 14 will likely have longer software support; Android offers more customization. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both phones have the same wifi standard; S21 Ultra offers Wifi direct and display |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | iPhone 14 has a more up-to-date version, potentially with better power efficiency. |
| GPS | L1+L5, E1+E5a | QZSS | S21 Ultra offers more satellite options. |
| SIM | Dual Nano | Dual Nano + eSIM | iPhone 14 offers eSIM which is convenient for switching networks digitally; S21 Ultra supports using two physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both offer the same storage options, choose based on your personal needs. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 6 GB | S21 Ultra has more RAM, likely better for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, pick a storage size that matches your needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X | iPhone 14 provides a slightly better spatial audio experience; S21 Ultra offers hi-res audio for music lovers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Security Features | S21 Ultra has a convenient fingerprint sensor; iPhone 14 does not |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra has a known superior glass protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Compass, Hall, Geomagnetic | None | S21 Ultra offers a richer suite of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper Display: The 6.8" 120Hz AMOLED display with higher resolution and brightness provides a superior visual experience for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- More Flexible Cameras: Telephoto lenses and 8K video capabilities make it a more versatile camera system with higher zoom capabilities for those who need it.
- Larger Battery and Charging Flexibility: The 5000mAh battery and versatile charging options (including reverse and wireless) offer potentially longer battery life and convenience.
- More RAM: Up to 16GB RAM provides better multitasking and app performance for power users.
- More sensors: S21 Ultra has additional sensors such as a fingerprint sensor, compass, hall, and geomagnetic sensors.
Apple iPhone 14 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A15 Bionic chip provides significantly better processing and graphics performance, resulting in smoother and faster overall experience.
- Better Camera Quality: Despite lower megapixel counts, the iPhone 14 offers superior photo and video quality, particularly in low-light, and also in DxOMark scoring.
- More Compact & Lighter Design: The smaller size and lower weight make it much more comfortable for one-handed use and portability.
- Newer Software: iOS 16 with longer update support provides a newer software experience and future-proofing.
- Audio Quality: Slightly better spatial audio experience with Dolby Digital Plus and DTS / DTS X.
- eSIM: Easier to switch between carriers using an eSIM.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- S21 Ultra: Bigger, heavier, and potentially slower performance in real-world use compared to the iPhone 14. Less refined low-light photos
- iPhone 14: Smaller display, less flexible camera system, lower refresh rate, smaller battery, fingerprint sensor, fewer sensors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Ideal For:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize a large, vibrant display for watching videos, playing games, and browsing content.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value versatile camera zoom, higher resolution images, and 8K video recording.
- Power Users: Those who multitask heavily and need lots of RAM to run demanding applications.
- Users who need longer battery life.
- Users who want fingerprint security.
Specific Use Cases for S21 Ultra 5G:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Capturing detailed close-up photos with its telephoto lenses.
- Editing photos and videos, and performing graphic intensive tasks
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Long days away from a power outlet.
Apple iPhone 14 is Ideal For:
- General Users: Those who prioritize ease of use, consistent performance, and a polished user experience.
- Mobile Photographers: Users who want a reliable camera with excellent image and video quality, especially in low-light situations.
- Portability Seekers: Users who prefer a compact and lightweight phone that's easy to carry and use with one hand.
- Users invested in the Apple Ecosystem: Those who already use other Apple devices.
- Users who need superior video quality and stability.
Specific Use Cases for iPhone 14:
- Quickly capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Smoothly running apps and games with great performance.
- Navigating daily tasks with a smooth and easy-to-use operating system.
- Daily use, for quick photos, emails, social media etc
- Video Recording.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21 Ultra 5G, being older, can often be found at a more affordable price compared to the iPhone 14. This could make it a higher value choice for some users. The iPhone 14 has a high price, but it packs a superior performance, camera, and overall daily user experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize display quality and flexibility, or performance and portability?
- How important is camera zoom flexibility vs. low-light camera performance?
- Is having the latest OS and ecosystem integration important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Consumption & Photography: If a large, high-resolution screen and a flexible camera system (with great zoom) are key factors, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- Scenario 2: Daily Use & Performance: If you want a compact, fast phone with great photos, an easy to use OS, and a polished user experience, the Apple iPhone 14 is the better pick.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Buyer: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G might be a better value, since it can be found at a lower price now that it is older.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 14. Despite the Samsung S21 Ultra's advantages in screen size, resolution, battery, and zoom, the iPhone 14's significantly better performance and superior camera experience are more compelling for my personal use case. I prioritize a fast, smooth user experience and the best camera quality, which the iPhone 14 excels at. The portability of the iPhone 14 is also a significant factor for me. Although the S21 Ultra has the potential for better battery life, the iPhone 14's battery is still sufficient for a full day. The software experience with iOS and the guaranteed long software support also aligns with my preference. Finally, the video quality of the iPhone 14 is also superior to the S21 Ultra.
