Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Asus ROG Phone 5
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2021-04-26 | Asus is slightly newer, potentially with minor software improvements. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3 mm | Asus is larger and thicker, making it less pocketable; Samsung is more compact. |
| Weight | 227g | 238g | Samsung is slightly lighter, improving comfort during long use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2448 | Samsung has a much sharper display, noticeable in text and detailed images. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | Samsung offers crisper visuals due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Asus offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, beneficial for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Samsung is much brighter, making it significantly better for outdoor use. Note: Brightness data for Asus is missing, assumed to be substantially lower. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Asus typically offers stronger gaming performance due to the Snapdragon chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 883,000 | Asus generally performs better in benchmarks, implying smoother performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 660 | Asus's Adreno GPU often translates to better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" | Samsung offers higher resolution and a larger sensor, generally capturing more detail. |
| Telephoto Camera | 10.8MP (x2) | None | Samsung offers two dedicated telephoto lenses for better zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 24MP, f/2.45, 1/2.8" | Samsung's selfie camera has higher resolution and a wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP | 13MP | Both offer wide angle but implementations vary; the Samsung sensor is larger. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP | Asus offers dedicated macro lens for close up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer high quality video recording. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 115 | N/A | Samsung's main camera has been rigorously tested with good results. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 135 | N/A | Samsung's selfie camera has been rigorously tested with excellent results. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Asus has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 65W | Asus charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse wireless | Bypass Charging | Samsung has wireless charging capabilities; Asus has bypass charging which optimizes battery health while gaming |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 15) | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Samsung has significantly longer OS upgrade support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Both phones have similar Wi-Fi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 | Both offer similar Bluetooth capabilities. |
| GPS | Dual band GPS | Dual band GPS, NavIC | Asus has slightly more GPS options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 128/256/512GB | Both have similar storage options. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 8/12/16/18GB | Asus has RAM configuration options up to 18GB for heavy users and gamers. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | DTS/DTS X, Hi-Res Audio | Asus offers superior audio setup with enhanced surround sound and more microphones, Dolby Atmos on the Samsung is still a good feature. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both use standard fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 6 | Samsung uses the more modern and stronger screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Barometer, Geomagnetic, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Samsung has additional sensors (Barometer and Geomagnetic). |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for sharper visuals, and much higher brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- More Versatile Camera System: Two telephoto lenses, better selfie camera, and advanced camera features (OIS, Laser AF), better DxOMark scores.
- Wireless Charging: Includes 15W wireless charging and 9W reverse wireless charging.
- Longer Software Support: Guaranteed updates up to Android 15, providing extended usability.
- More Compact Design: Slightly smaller and lighter, making it more portable.
- Better Build Quality Stronger screen protection.
- Additional Sensors Barometer and Geomagnetic sensors.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Better Gaming Performance: Higher AnTuTu score, Adreno GPU and likely optimized cooling result in superior gaming.
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh battery offers extended battery life for heavy usage.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging capabilities greatly reduce charging times.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz display provides smoother animations for gaming and scrolling.
- Superior Audio Experience: Enhanced surround sound and more microphones.
- More RAM Options: Available with up to 18GB of RAM, beneficial for extreme multitasking and gaming.
- Bypass Charging: Allows for charging while gaming without damaging the battery.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung prioritizes a more balanced experience with a higher resolution display, a more versatile camera system, wireless charging, and longer software support, but trades some raw performance and battery life.
- Asus focuses on gaming performance, battery life, and audio, but sacrifices display sharpness, camera versatility, and software support duration.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value camera quality, versatility, and features.
- Content Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-resolution, bright display for media consumption.
- Professional Users: Those needing a reliable daily driver with a long software support lifespan.
- General Users: Those who want a good all around phone with all the main features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking detailed photos and videos in various conditions.
- Enjoying multimedia content outdoors.
- Using the phone for productivity and professional tasks.
- Extended use with the confidence that it will get the most software support.
Ideal User for Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Mobile Gamers: Those who prioritize raw performance, smooth visuals, and long battery life.
- Power Users: Individuals who need extreme multitasking capabilities and maximum performance.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Users who value superior audio quality and immersive sound.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive mobile games for extended periods.
- Multitasking between resource-heavy applications.
- Enjoying high-quality audio and using the device for music listening.
- Using the device for long periods without having to recharge frequently.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was a flagship device at its launch, and while it is older, it still offers premium features at potentially lower prices now. It offers a more balanced experience overall.
- The Asus ROG Phone 5 is designed for a very specific niche (gamers), and its value comes from its raw performance and gaming features, potentially being more affordable now, depending on local deals, for what it offers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your primary use case? Gaming, photography, media, or general use?
- How important is camera versatility and quality? Do you need telephoto and advanced features?
- Is longer battery life or faster charging more important? Do you play games often and for long periods?
- How important are software updates and software longevity? Do you want the latest updates for as long as possible?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming Enthusiast - Choose the Asus ROG Phone 5 for its superior gaming performance, longer battery life, faster charging, and enhanced audio.
- Scenario 2: Photography and Multimedia User - Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its more versatile camera system, better display, and longer software support.
- Scenario 3: General Purpose User with Balanced Needs - Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its overall excellent performance and premium features, with a more well rounded approach.
My Choice
If I had to choose one, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the Asus ROG Phone 5 offers superior gaming performance, its focus is too niche for my daily needs. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G provides a more well-rounded experience with a better display, a far more versatile camera system, wireless charging, better build quality, and a longer commitment to software updates. While I am not a heavy mobile gamer, the additional versatility offered by the Samsung is what I prefer for my daily use case, therefore the S21 Ultra 5G would be my choice.
