1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 147.6 × 71.6 × 7.8 mm | The S21 Ultra is larger and bulkier, making the iPhone 15 more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 227g | 171g | The iPhone 15 is significantly lighter, reducing strain during prolonged use. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown (screen) | S21 Ultra has superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard non-foldable smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.1" | S21 Ultra's larger screen offers more immersive viewing, ideal for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1179x2556 | S21 Ultra has a sharper display with more detail and clarity, enhancing visual experience. |
| PPI | 515 | 461 | S21 Ultra has noticeably higher pixel density, resulting in a finer and more detailed image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer excellent color accuracy, contrast, and deep blacks. The difference in viewing experience is minor. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 Ultra offers smoother scrolling and animations, which enhances the feeling of responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 provides better visibility in bright sunlight, improving outdoor usability. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Int'l | Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | A16 Bionic offers superior performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| Antutu Score | 749,000 | 1,470,000 | iPhone 15 shows significantly better benchmark performance, reflecting real-world speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - Int'l | Apple GPU (5-core) | The A16 Bionic's GPU provides better graphics performance, enhancing gaming and video editing. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm pixel | 48MP f/1.6, 1/1.5", 1.0µm pixel | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, iPhone 15's sensor has wider aperture and larger pixel size. Differences in image quality depend on usage scenarios. |
| Telephoto Camera | 10.8MP f/2.4, 1/2.65" (x3 Zoom), 10.8MP f/4.9 (x10 Zoom) | None | S21 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto lenses for zoom photography, with 3x and 10x zoom options. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.7µm pixel | 12MP f/1.9, 1.12µm pixel | S21 Ultra offers higher resolution; iPhone 15 has wider aperture and larger pixel size for better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" , 1.4µm pixel | 12MP f/2.4 | S21 Ultra has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps | 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | S21 Ultra supports 8K recording, iPhone 15 has Cinematic Mode. Both offer great video quality and stabilization. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 115 (Photo 121, Video 100) | 145 (Photo 147, Video 153) | iPhone 15 demonstrates significantly superior overall photo and video quality compared to the S21 Ultra 5G. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 135 (Photo 133, Video 140) | Not Tested | S21 Ultra's selfie camera has been independently tested, showing good performance for photos and videos. No score available for iPhone 15. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 15 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3877mAh | S21 Ultra has a larger battery, potentially offering better battery life, though real-world usage varies significantly. |
| Charging | 25W | 20W | S21 Ultra supports slightly faster charging, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Battery Features | Reverse Wireless, Wireless Charging, No Charger in-box | MagSafe Wireless Charging, Qi Wireless Charging | S21 Ultra has extra wireless charging features. iPhone 15 includes MagSafe, but neither include charger in-box. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper Display: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption.
- Higher Refresh Rate (120Hz): Smoother animations and scrolling for a more fluid user experience.
- Versatile Camera System: Offers multiple telephoto lenses for impressive zoom capabilities.
- Bigger Battery: Potentially better battery life for all-day usage.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- More RAM: 12 GB or 16 GB, allowing for superior multitasking capabilities.
- Wider range of bluetooth audio codecs: More audio codecs will allow for higher quality audio through bluetooth.
- More GPS systems: Supports additional GPS systems, which will offer more accurate location services.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a convenient way to unlock the device.
Apple iPhone 15 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Faster processor and better graphics performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Brighter Display: Enhanced visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Better Photo and Video Quality (DXOMark): Independently tested scores demonstrate superior photo and video output.
- Lighter and More Compact: More pocketable and comfortable to hold.
- More up-to-date Bluetooth Version: Supports the newer bluetooth 5.3 standard.
- eSIM Support: Offers more flexibility for digital carrier switching.
- MagSafe Charging: Convenient wireless charging system.
- Cinematic Mode: A unique video mode that allows for a cinematic style shot using focus shifting between subjects.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Trades portability and processing power for a larger screen, versatile zoom camera, more RAM and better battery life.
- iPhone 15: Trades battery size, zoom capabilities and a higher refresh rate for better performance and portability.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos or play games will appreciate the large, high-resolution display and smooth refresh rate.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value zoom capabilities and want a versatile camera system.
- Power Users: Those who need strong multitasking performance and the option for reverse wireless charging.
- Users who enjoy android OS customization and additional features: With android, many features will be customizable to the user's preference.
Use Cases:
- Long commutes: Enjoy movies and podcasts on the large screen.
- Outdoor photography: Capture far-off subjects using the telephoto zoom lenses.
- Multi-tasking: Quickly switch between various apps and games without lag.
- Power users: With plenty of RAM, and all the different sensors included, the user will have a lot of features at their disposal.
Apple iPhone 15 Ideal Users:
- Performance Seekers: Users who want the fastest processor for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Mobile Photographers: Those who prioritize photo and video quality in different conditions.
- Portability Conscious: Users who prefer a lighter and more pocketable device.
- iOS Ecosystem Users: Those who are already invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming: Enjoy smooth gameplay with the powerful processor and GPU.
- Everyday photography: Take high quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- On-the-go use: Carry the compact device comfortably in a pocket or bag.
- Users looking for convenience: With magsafe, the user can use the wireless charging system for a more convenient way to power their phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
Do you prioritize screen size, smooth display, or zoom capabilities?
- If yes, consider the S21 Ultra.
- If no, then the iPhone 15 could be a better option.
Do you prioritize performance, portability, and camera quality?
- If yes, consider the iPhone 15.
- If no, then the S21 Ultra might be better.
Do you prefer android or iOS?
- If you prefer android and all of its customization, then you would prefer the S21 Ultra.
- If you prefer iOS and the apple ecosystem, then you would prefer the iPhone 15.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: You're a student who needs a phone for media consumption, note-taking, and occasional gaming.
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a strong choice due to its larger, smooth display and versatile camera for taking notes and photos.
Scenario 2: You're a professional who needs a phone for work, capturing photos, and on-the-go productivity.
- Recommendation: The Apple iPhone 15 is better for it's enhanced processing power and high quality photos. Its compact form will also make the phone more portable.
Scenario 3: You're a photography enthusiast who wants a versatile camera system and long battery life.
- Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra excels at providing zoom and various capture options, and also has good battery life.
Scenario 4: You value mobile gaming and performance.
- Recommendation: The Apple iPhone 15 will deliver the best experience with its superior processing power.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 15. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a fantastic display, great zoom capabilities, and longer potential battery life, the iPhone 15 offers a more well-rounded experience for my needs.
Here's why:
- Performance: The A16 Bionic chip is significantly faster, which I would appreciate for everyday use, especially in demanding apps and games.
- Camera Quality: The iPhone 15's camera, while having less zoom, produces images with a higher quality overall. It also performs much better in low light scenarios.
- Portability: The lighter and more compact design of the iPhone 15 makes it much more comfortable to carry around and use one-handed.
- Ecosystem: I am already invested in the Apple ecosystem, so the seamless integration is a major advantage for me.
While I do enjoy a larger screen for media consumption, the improved performance, camera quality, and portability of the iPhone 15 outweigh the S21 Ultra's advantages for my specific use case. The smaller screen of the iPhone is also more comfortable for me to use. The better battery life of the S21 ultra is tempting, but the better efficiency of the A16 chip in the iPhone 15 should help compensate.
