1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 14 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.8 mm | S21 Ultra is taller and thicker, but narrower, making the iPhone 14 Plus slightly more pocketable. S21 Ultra will feel more bulky. |
| Weight | 227g | 203g | iPhone 14 Plus is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding and one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offering a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1284x2778 | S21 Ultra has a sharper, more detailed display with more pixels. Text and images will appear clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 458 | S21 Ultra's higher PPI will make images appear noticeably sharper. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Very similar visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 Ultra offers significantly smoother scrolling, animations and gaming. The iPhone 14 Plus may feel less fluid in comparison. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1200 nits | S21 Ultra will be much more readable in direct sunlight. A significant advantage for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Different chips, making a direct comparison difficult, but the A15 Bionic is known for excellent performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,330,312 | iPhone 14 Plus benchmarks significantly higher and translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Apple GPU (5-core) | The Apple GPU is generally more powerful, translating to superior gaming and graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4325mAh | S21 Ultra has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life under similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | Li-Ion | S21 Ultra offers faster charging and uses Li-Polymer technology, the iPhone 14 Plus does not disclose charging speed. |
| Battery Features | Reverse, 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse Wireless | MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | S21 Ultra has reverse charging for other devices, while the iPhone has MagSafe charging, which is convenient. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP f/1.8 | 12MP f/1.5 | S21 Ultra captures more detail with a higher resolution, while the iPhone 14 Plus has a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP f/2.4 | None | S21 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto capabilities for zoom and portraits, not available on the iPhone 14 Plus |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/1.9 | S21 Ultra captures more detailed selfies, the iPhone has better low-light performance with a wider aperture |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP f/4.9 | None | S21 Ultra has an additional telephoto lens, enhancing optical zoom. Not available on the iPhone 14 Plus |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12MP f/2.4 | iPhone 14 Plus offers wide angle lens, allowing for better landscape shots, not available on the S21 Ultra |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2 | None | S21 Ultra offers a dedicated wide-angle with macro functionality, not available on the iPhone 14 Plus. |
| Video | Up to 8K | Up to 4K | S21 Ultra can record videos up to 8K, while iPhone 14 Plus tops at 4K. Both offer good video quality. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 115 | 133 | iPhone 14 Plus performs significantly better overall in mobile camera tests based on the DXOMark score. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 135 | 144 | iPhone 14 Plus performs slightly better overall in selfie camera tests based on the DXOMark score. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | iOS 16 (upgradable to 18) | Different operating systems with different ecosystems. Android offers more customization, while iOS is known for its simplicity and consistent performance. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Direct, Display | WiFi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards; S21 Ultra has Direct and Display features for enhanced connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE + various profiles | 5.3 LE + AAC | iPhone 14 Plus has a newer Bluetooth version, Samsung offers more audio profiles; Both are relatively similar with different profiles available. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo (L1+L5, E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Both offer excellent location capabilities; S21 Ultra offers more precise GPS; iPhone 14 Plus also uses QZSS. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | S21 Ultra supports two physical SIMs, while iPhone 14 Plus offers the option for a more modern eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 128/256/512GB | Both offer the same storage options with no expandable storage. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 6GB | S21 Ultra has significantly more RAM, which is better for multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise Cancelling, Stereo | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise Cancelling, Stereo | Both offer great audio. iPhone 14 Plus has enhanced spatial audio, while S21 Ultra has Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | S21 Ultra has an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication while the iPhone 14 Plus has basic security features. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra uses the more advanced Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection. The protection for the iPhone is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | S21 Ultra has additional biometric, motion, and environmental sensors such as Fingerprint and Compass; suitable for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density offer a visibly clearer and more detailed visual experience.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid experience for scrolling, gaming, and animations.
- Brighter Display: 1500 nits of brightness makes the S21 Ultra much easier to view in direct sunlight.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens for superior zoom, wide angle + macro lens for detailed shots and higher megapixel standard camera for more detailed shots.
- Larger Battery: Offers a higher capacity, potentially providing longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Supports 25W fast charging.
- More RAM: Offers 12 GB or 16 GB of RAM, compared to 6GB on the iPhone. Better for multi-tasking.
- Wider Range of Connectivity Features: WiFi Direct and WiFi Display.
- Additional Sensors: Fingerprint, Compass, Hall, Geomagnetic
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior screen protection.
Apple iPhone 14 Plus Advantages:
- Better Performance: The A15 Bionic chip offers significantly higher benchmark scores and superior performance in real-world usage.
- Better Camera Performance: Apple iPhone 14 Plus scored significantly higher in the DXOMark tests for both the main and selfie camera, with video quality being a key difference.
- Lighter and Slightly Smaller: More comfortable for one-handed use and easier to carry.
- Wider Aperture on Main Camera: The main camera on the iPhone has a wider aperture than the S21 ultra (f/1.5 vs f/1.8), leading to better low light photos.
- Newer Bluetooth: The iPhone offers the newer Bluetooth version for potentially improved connection performance.
- MagSafe charging: Convenient for charging and accessories.
- eSIM Support: Offers a more modern eSIM option.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: While having a more versatile camera system, it falls behind in camera quality, especially video, and performance compared to the iPhone 14 Plus. Its bulkier design might not be preferred by all.
- iPhone 14 Plus: Lacks the versatile camera features of the S21 Ultra. It has a standard 60Hz refresh rate display and a lower resolution, which might not be as satisfying for users coming from a higher refresh rate or higher resolution device. It also has a smaller battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who desire a versatile camera system with high-resolution images, optical zoom and macro capabilities will find it beneficial.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a smooth, vibrant display for watching videos and browsing content.
- Power Users: Multitaskers who will benefit from the extra RAM.
- Gamers: Users who appreciate smoother gameplay and more consistent frame rates.
- Users working in bright sunlight: The increased brightness of the screen will be a major benefit for outdoor use.
Specific Use Cases for S21 Ultra 5G:
- Professional Photography/Videography: Capturing high-resolution photos and 8K videos.
- Mobile Gaming: Taking advantage of the 120Hz refresh rate for smooth graphics.
- Outdoor Use: Using the phone in direct sunlight for clear visibility.
- Heavy Multitasking: Running multiple applications without performance degradation.
- On-the-go charging: Using the reverse charging feature to power other devices
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 14 Plus:
- Performance Seekers: Those who prioritize the fastest app loading, smooth multitasking, and overall snappy performance.
- Social Media Users: Great video camera for social media content.
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Those who are already invested in the Apple ecosystem, seeking seamless integration.
- Users that Prefer Simplicity: The iOS platform has a simple user interface that users may find appealing.
- Users that prefer better camera quality: The iPhone 14 Plus scored higher in Dxomark tests for its mobile and selfie camera.
- Users that prefer lighter phones: The lighter weight and thinner design make it a lot more comfortable to use.
Specific Use Cases for iPhone 14 Plus:
- Mobile Gaming: Playing graphically intensive games with consistent performance.
- Social Media Content Creation: Recording high quality video for platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
- Everyday Productivity: Smoothly switching between apps and tasks.
- Users that rely on mobile payments: The inclusion of Apple Pay is a benefit to users.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The price-to-value ratio of the two phones is highly dependent on the user's needs. The S21 Ultra offers a wide range of functionality, but is ultimately outmatched in terms of speed and camera. The iPhone 14 Plus may be a better value for users looking for a top level camera and performance experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize display quality and smoothness, or overall performance and camera quality?
- If display is key, S21 Ultra is better. If performance and camera are more important, iPhone 14 Plus is better.
- Do you need the versatility of multiple lenses in your camera, or a consistent and high quality primary camera experience?
- S21 Ultra offers versatile zoom, while iPhone 14 Plus excels in overall photo and video quality.
- Are you already invested in the Android or Apple ecosystem?
- Choose the phone that aligns with your existing ecosystem for seamless integration.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Content Creator: If you are capturing lots of 4K video and require zoom functionality, the Samsung S21 Ultra 5G is the best choice.
- Scenario 2: Gaming Enthusiast: If you want the highest gaming performance and don't mind a smaller battery, the Apple iPhone 14 Plus is superior.
- Scenario 3: Casual User: If you prioritize a smooth and simple experience, choose the Apple iPhone 14 Plus. If you want a more versatile experience with more advanced features and do not mind a slightly heavier device, choose the Samsung S21 Ultra 5G.
- Scenario 4: Users Frequently in Bright Sunlight: The Samsung S21 Ultra 5G will provide better visibility due to its high screen brightness.
- Scenario 5: Users who need to charge other devices on the go: The Samsung S21 Ultra 5G is the best choice due to reverse wireless charging.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Apple iPhone 14 Plus. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has some impressive features such as its sharper, smoother and brighter display, I prioritize a fast and seamless user experience. The A15 Bionic chip is significantly faster and more efficient. The iPhone 14 Plus's camera is also superior when looking at the DXOMark scores. I'm not as fussed with having the extra camera lenses and ultimately value the simplicity and consistent performance that iOS offers. Additionally, the lighter weight and thinner profile makes the iPhone more comfortable to hold.
