1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-01-18 | The ROG Phone 8 is significantly newer, indicating more recent technology and potential for longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | Both are large phones; Samsung is slightly taller, Asus is slightly wider. Feel in hand would be very similar. |
| Weight | 227g | 225g | Virtually identical weight; both are relatively heavy phones. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Nearly identical screen sizes; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has a significantly sharper display; text and images will appear more crisp. |
| PPI | 515 | 388 | S21 Ultra has noticeably higher pixel density, resulting in greater detail and clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 offers a noticeably smoother experience, especially in fast-paced gaming or scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 is significantly better for outdoor visibility, easily viewable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 demonstrates vastly superior performance, ideal for demanding games and resource-intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | The Adreno 750 in the ROG Phone 8 is more powerful, offering superior graphics rendering for gaming and video editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | ROG Phone 8 has slightly better battery endurance, which will likely translate to longer usage per charge. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ROG Phone 8 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | None | S21 Ultra offers greater convenience with wireless charging capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | S21 Ultra captures more detailed photos, allowing for more flexible cropping and editing. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.56" | S21 Ultra captures slightly more light, potentially performing better in low-light situations. |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 1.00µm | ROG Phone 8 captures slightly more light per pixel, potentially offering better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera | Yes (10.8MP, x2) and (10.8MP, x10) | No | S21 Ultra offers greater optical zoom flexibility for various situations. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 32MP | S21 Ultra offers slightly higher resolution selfie images. |
| Macro Camera | No | Yes (5MP) | Asus can take dedicated macro shots, while Samsung cannot. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP | 13MP | Both offer a wide field of view for landscape or group photos. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | Both support high-resolution video with similar quality. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), RAW | Triple camera, Gimbal, Laser autofocus (LAF) | S21 Ultra offers more versatile camera hardware and RAW capture. ROG Phone 8 offers gimbal stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, max Android 15 | Android 14, max Android 16 | ROG Phone 8 has a newer OS with more recent features and longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | ROG Phone 8 supports faster WiFi 7 standard, better for future proofing. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | ROG Phone 8 has a newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS | ROG Phone 8 supports more satellite systems, potentially offering better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 256GB | S21 Ultra has more storage options (including a 512GB variant), while Asus only has 256GB. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 12/16GB | Both offer excellent multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows microSD card usage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | DTS / DTS X | S21 Ultra is optimized for superior audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Both use robust screen protection, but ROG Phone 8 has a newer version. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Gravity | The S21 Ultra has environmental sensors (barometer), while ROG Phone 8 has a gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: The 1440p display offers a sharper, clearer viewing experience for text and images.
- More Versatile Camera System: The S21 Ultra boasts a superior zoom capability, RAW capture, and a dedicated telephoto lens. It also has a better front-facing camera and additional features like Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF).
- Wireless Charging: The S21 Ultra supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, offering more convenience for users.
- Wider Storage options: Offers a 512 GB variant, which is double the storage available in the ROG Phone 8.
- Better Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio, offering a better audio experience for music and videos.
- Additional sensors: The S21 Ultra offers more sensors, including a barometer.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra is well-suited for users who prioritize photography, a high-resolution display, and wireless charging capabilities.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers much faster processing, making it ideal for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Smoother Display: The 165Hz refresh rate provides a much smoother experience, especially noticeable during scrolling and gaming.
- Brighter Display: The 2500 nits of brightness significantly improve outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging is much faster, enabling a full charge in significantly less time.
- Better Battery Life: Larger 5500 mAh battery will likely provide longer battery life.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 14 out of the box, providing newer features and longer software support.
- Newer WiFi standard: Supports WiFi 7, better for future proofing.
- Gimbal camera stabilization: ROG Phone 8 uses a gimbal for smoother video footage.
- Macro Camera: Features a dedicated macro camera.
- Better location accuracy: Features more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Practical Implications: The ROG Phone 8 is the clear choice for mobile gamers and users who want the highest performance, best outdoor screen visibility, and long battery life.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra has a better camera zoom range and quality, but the ROG Phone 8 offers superior performance.
- The S21 Ultra has wireless charging and reverse charging while the ROG Phone 8 has none.
- The S21 Ultra has a sharper display, but the ROG Phone 8 has a smoother, brighter display.
- The S21 Ultra has more storage options, but ROG Phone 8 has newer hardware.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize versatile camera capabilities, optical zoom, high-resolution image capture, and the ability to shoot in RAW.
- Media Consumption: Individuals who appreciate high-resolution displays with sharp text and images and high fidelity audio for watching movies.
- Convenience Seekers: Users who value wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities.
Use Cases:
- Capturing professional-quality photographs.
- Detailed image editing on the go.
- Watching high-resolution video with excellent sound quality.
- Quickly charging other devices via reverse wireless charging.
Ideal User for Asus ROG Phone 8:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who demand the highest performance and smooth graphics for demanding games.
- Power Users: Individuals who require fast processing speeds for intensive tasks like video editing, rendering, or running multiple apps simultaneously.
- Outdoor Users: People who need excellent screen visibility in bright sunlight.
- Frequent Travelers: Users who need long battery life and fast charging, making this phone an excellent option for on the go usage.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games at high refresh rates.
- Editing videos or photos.
- Working outdoors, easily viewing the display.
- Heavy usage throughout the day without needing to charge frequently.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21 Ultra was a flagship device in 2021, and its price has likely come down making it a strong contender in the mid-range category.
- The ROG Phone 8 is a top-tier flagship and likely comes with a premium price, but justifies that price with top performance and features.
- The choice depends on the buyer's budget and the importance of performance versus camera capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is the primary use case? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, general use)
- How important are performance vs. camera quality? (Does the user prioritize raw speed or imaging capabilities)
- What is the budget? (How much is the user willing to pay for performance vs more comprehensive options)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gamer/Performance Seeker: If you primarily play mobile games or need the fastest performance for intensive tasks, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: If camera quality is paramount and you value zoom capabilities and RAW image capture, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better fit.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use & Wireless Charging: If you want a blend of good performance, a high-quality display, and value wireless charging, then the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a good all-around phone at a potentially lower price than the ROG Phone 8.
- Scenario 4: Outdoor visibility and long battery life: If you need a phone with excellent outdoor visibility, long battery life and top of the line performance, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is the clear choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would personally pick the Asus ROG Phone 8. My primary needs revolve around performance, smooth operation, and outdoor visibility. As a user who often works outdoors and occasionally plays games, the ROG Phone 8’s brighter 165Hz display, superior performance, and larger battery would provide a much better experience. Although the Samsung S21 Ultra offers better camera options, and more versatile features, the performance and display of the ROG Phone 8 fit my use case better. It also provides significantly better future proofing with WiFi 7 capabilities.
