1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | S21 Ultra is taller and thicker, potentially less pocket-friendly. iPhone 15 Plus is wider, impacting one-handed use. |
| Weight | 227g | 201g | iPhone 15 Plus is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Front | Unknown Front | S21 Ultra screen is more scratch-resistant. iPhone 15 Plus screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Very similar sizes, minimal difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1290 x 2796 | S21 Ultra has a significantly sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 460 | S21 Ultra offers a noticeably crisper image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, negligible practical difference. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 Ultra has smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2000 nits | iPhone 15 Plus is significantly better for outdoor viewing in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Apple A16 Bionic (4nm) | iPhone 15 Plus has a much newer and more powerful chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,470,000 | iPhone 15 Plus offers significantly faster performance for all tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Apple GPU (5-core) | iPhone 15 Plus offers superior graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/1.5", 1.0µm | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, iPhone 15 Plus captures more light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Lens | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | Not Available | S21 Ultra has dedicated telephoto zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.7µm | 12MP, f/1.9, 1.12µm | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, iPhone 15 Plus has better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | Not Available | S21 Ultra offers long zoom. |
| Wide Angle/Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 12MP, f/2.4 | S21 Ultra has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21 Ultra can record 8K video, but both offer high-quality options. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 115 | 145 | iPhone 15 Plus demonstrates significantly better overall camera performance. |
| DxOMark Photo Score | 121 | 147 | iPhone 15 Plus offers better photo quality. |
| DxOMark Video Score | 100 | 153 | iPhone 15 Plus offers better video quality. |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Quadruple camera, Laser AF, Digital image stabilization | Cinematic Mode, Noise reduction, Face unlock, Pro Video Mode, Dual camera, Ultra stable video | S21 Ultra has more zoom options, iPhone 15 Plus has modern features. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4383mAh | S21 Ultra has a larger battery, potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | S21 Ultra charges slightly faster. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse Wireless | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi Wireless | S21 Ultra offers more wireless charging options, no charger included. iPhone 15 Plus has MagSafe. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages
- Higher Display Resolution & Refresh Rate: Sharper and smoother display experience for browsing and gaming.
- More Versatile Camera System: Dedicated telephoto lenses for optical zoom and macro capabilities.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Potentially longer battery life and faster charging times.
- More RAM: Better for multitasking and demanding apps
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Ability to charge other devices wirelessly.
- More GPS Satellite Support: Potentially better location accuracy in certain regions.
- Additional Bluetooth Audio Codecs: Supports a wide variety of audio formats.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers biometric security and faster unlocking.
- More Audio Features: Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra is great for users who prioritize a high-resolution, smooth display, versatile camera with lots of zoom, and a longer lasting battery.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Advantages
- Superior Performance: A16 Bionic chip provides significantly faster processing and graphics.
- Brighter Display: Excellent outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Better Camera Performance: Higher DxOMark scores mean overall better photo and video quality.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Better energy efficiency and connectivity.
- eSIM Support: Offers digital carrier switching and convenient travel options.
- MagSafe Wireless Charging: Compatible with Apple's MagSafe ecosystem.
- Software Ecosystem: Benefit from Apple's streamlined iOS and app ecosystem.
- More Modern Camera Features: Noise reduction, Cinematic mode, Ultra Stable Video
Practical Implications: The iPhone 15 Plus is ideal for users who demand top-tier performance, a brighter screen, better overall image quality, and a seamless iOS experience.
Trade-offs
- Samsung S21 Ultra: Older chip leading to less performance, heavier and thicker, lower overall camera performance according to DxOMark
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus: Lower refresh rate, less zoom capabilities, less ram, smaller battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want maximum zoom options and versatile camera features.
- Power Users: Those who need smooth performance with a high refresh rate screen and enjoy demanding games.
- Users Who Value Screen Resolution: Those who prioritize sharpness, detail, and smooth animations.
- Users who require specific Audio Codecs: Those that need a wide variety of supported bluetooth codecs.
Use Cases:
- Taking photos/videos with different zoom levels and macro.
- Gaming with high refresh rate.
- Watching high resolution videos.
- Using multiple apps simultaneously without performance degradation.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Ideal User
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want the fastest mobile performance possible.
- Outdoor Users: Individuals who need a bright display for easy visibility in sunlight.
- iOS Ecosystem Users: Users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem.
- Average daily users: Individuals that want a smooth, easy to use phone for everyday use.
- Users who value video: Those who want good quality video with modern features.
Use Cases:
- Heavy gaming and running performance-intensive apps.
- Viewing and taking photos in bright outdoor environments.
- Seamlessly connecting with other Apple devices.
- Having a simple user interface.
Price-to-Value
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is older and likely to be priced lower, potentially offering a better value for its feature set, but it is an older phone.
- The Apple iPhone 15 Plus comes at a premium price but has better performance. It is a more future-proof option.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions
- Performance Needs: Do you need the absolute best performance for demanding tasks or would mid-level performance be sufficient?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need more versatility and zoom capabilities, or is better overall photo and video quality more important?
- Ecosystem Preference: Are you already deeply invested in the Apple or Android ecosystem, and does this matter for you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: You're a gamer who plays demanding games a lot. Recommendation: iPhone 15 Plus for its superior processing power. The S21 Ultra could be good if you value high refresh rate and have a budget.
- Scenario 2: You take a lot of pictures in bright conditions and care about the overall image quality. Recommendation: iPhone 15 Plus for its better camera performance and brighter screen.
- Scenario 3: You are on a tighter budget and just want a versatile phone that has some great features. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its versatile camera and high-resolution display.
- Scenario 4: You need a phone with best battery life. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its bigger battery.
- Scenario 5: You value having the latest features and support, with the best performance possible. Recommendation: iPhone 15 Plus because its newer.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Apple iPhone 15 Plus. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers some compelling features, especially in the display and camera zoom areas, the raw performance of the A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 15 Plus is a significant advantage. As someone who values speed, a brighter screen, and the overall better image quality, the iPhone 15 Plus is a better fit for my needs. The seamless integration with the iOS ecosystem is also a plus. While the S21 Ultra has a larger battery, the iPhone's power efficiency usually compensates making it a worthy choice for me. I acknowledge that the Samsung S21 Ultra's high resolution and smoother refresh rate are desirable, but the performance advantage of the iPhone is more important. Finally, the iPhone is a more modern device with longer software support than the Galaxy S21 Ultra, so it has better future-proof value.
