1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller, while ROG Phone 8 Pro is a bit wider; both share same thickness. Minimal difference in hand feel, mainly a matter of preference. |
| Weight | 227g | 225g | Virtually identical weight; both feel substantial in hand. |
| Build Material | Not specified | Not specified | No practical implications can be determined. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Negligible difference; both offer expansive viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | S21 Ultra provides noticeably sharper visuals, finer detail, and text clarity. |
| PPI | 515 | 388 | S21 Ultra has significantly higher pixel density, resulting in superior sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides smoother animations and scrolling for a more fluid experience, especially during gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers much better visibility under direct sunlight and other bright environments. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a newer, more powerful chip resulting in faster app loading, better multitasking, and improved gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 Pro demonstrates significantly higher performance across all tasks; much faster overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 Pro's GPU provides superior graphics processing power, resulting in better gaming performance and smoother graphics in demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | S21 Ultra captures more detail with higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.56" | S21 Ultra has a physically larger sensor allowing it to capture more light, potentially resulting in better image quality in low-light. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | ROG Phone 8 Pro has larger individual pixel size, which can help gather more light per pixel. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 10.8MP | Not Available | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens for better zoom and portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 32MP | S21 Ultra captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.65" | 1/3.2" | S21 Ultra's larger sensor might offer better low-light selfie performance. |
| Telephoto Lens Resolution | 10.8MP | 32MP | ROG Phone 8 Pro has a higher resolution telephoto lens offering more zoom detail. |
| Telephoto Lens Aperture | f/4.9 | f/2.4 | ROG Phone 8 Pro's wider aperture on the telephoto lens could potentially perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens Sensor Size | 1/2.65" | 1/3.2" | S21 Ultra's telephoto lens has larger sensor. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera Resolution | 12.2MP | 13MP | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides slightly more detail in ultra-wide shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/3" | S21 Ultra's slightly larger sensor may result in better low-light wide angle performance. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps, Various 4K/1080p options | Up to 8K@24fps, Various 4K/1080p options | Both offer a similar suite of high resolution and high frame-rate recording options. |
| Slow-motion | 960fps at 720p | 480fps at 720p | S21 Ultra offers higher slow-motion capabilities with 960fps, capturing more detail in fast-paced events. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 115 Overall, 121 Photo, 100 Video | Not Available | S21 Ultra's camera is rated better in DXOMark tests (though not recent). |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 135 Overall, 133 Photo, 140 Video | Not Available | S21 Ultra's selfie camera is rated better in DXOMark tests. |
| Additional Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Laser AF, PDAF, RAW | Triple camera, Gimbal, Laser Autofocus (LAF) | S21 Ultra offers more versatility with a quad camera setup, while the ROG Phone 8 Pro focuses on better stabilization with a gimbal. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides longer battery life, allowing for extended use without needing to recharge. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ROG Phone 8 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime spent plugged into the wall. |
| Additional Battery Features | Wireless charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 9W, Reverse charging, No charger in-box | None | S21 Ultra offers versatile charging options, whereas ROG Phone 8 Pro charges faster via the wire. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 14, upgradable to 16 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has newer OS with more recent features and is guaranteed to receive the next version. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | ROG Phone 8 Pro has the latest WiFi standard for faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | ROG Phone 8 Pro uses a more recent Bluetooth version with better efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 8 Pro has more satellite systems, leading to more reliable GPS location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both offer dual SIM functionality; users can use two phone numbers simultaneously. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 512GB/1024GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides a much higher maximum storage option for users with large media libraries. |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 16GB/24GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides significantly more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and more demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage, so you're limited to onboard storage only. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | S21 Ultra offers a richer audio experience with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio support. ROG Phone 8 Pro provides a more focused approach on gaming sound with DTS X and more microphones. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both use a standard fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a slightly newer generation of screen protection. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Gravity | Both offer a good set of sensors, with S21 Ultra offering Barometer, Hall and Geomagnetic sensors and the ROG Phone 8 Pro offering Gravity sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper display with more detail and better text clarity.
- Versatile Camera System: Quad-camera setup with a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens and a larger main camera sensor for potentially superior low-light performance.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging options.
- More Comprehensive Audio Suite: Features Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio.
- More Sensors: Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic sensors provides more data for certain applications
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra is a more well-rounded device with superior display clarity and a more flexible camera system. Wireless charging adds to convenience and it has superior audio playback.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, resulting in smoother gaming and faster app loading.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother animations and scrolling for a fluid experience.
- Brighter Display: Superior visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Faster Charging: Significantly quicker charging time, reducing downtime.
- Larger Battery: Longer battery life.
- Newer Software: Runs on a newer version of Android and is guaranteed to have the next one.
- Latest WiFi and Bluetooth: Uses the latest connectivity standards.
- Superior Telephoto Lens: Higher resolution and a wider aperture telephoto lens.
- Superior Location Tracking: More satellite systems for more accurate location data.
- Larger Storage and RAM Options: Offers substantially more storage and RAM.
Practical Implications: The ROG Phone 8 Pro is built for performance. The brighter display, superior speed, faster charging, and longer battery life make it ideal for gaming and heavy use.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra's superior display resolution is traded off for the ROG Phone 8 Pro's superior display brightness and refresh rate.
- The S21 Ultra's more versatile camera system is traded off for the ROG Phone 8 Pro's superior performance, battery, and faster charging.
- The S21 Ultra's wireless charging is traded off for the ROG Phone 8 Pro's wired fast charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is ideal for:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize image quality, versatile camera features and zoom capabilities.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who value display clarity and color accuracy for watching content.
- General Users: Users who want a premium all-round smartphone experience with a strong focus on the camera.
Use Cases:
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various situations.
- Enjoying media consumption on the sharper display.
- Everyday use with an emphasis on a well-rounded feature set.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is ideal for:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who prioritize performance, high refresh rate, and battery life.
- Power Users: Users who need maximum processing power for demanding apps and multitasking.
- Users who require high-performance: Users who require the fastest loading times and the smoothest user experience.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games at high frame rates.
- Running multiple demanding apps simultaneously.
- Using a device for prolonged periods without charging.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Given it's age, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G may have a lower price point, making it a good choice for a high-end phone at a reduced price.
- The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the higher end model, with top-of-the-line performance, this comes with a higher price tag.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is the most important for your daily usage: the camera, display, or raw performance?
- Camera: S21 Ultra
- Display: S21 Ultra (resolution and sharpness) or ROG Phone 8 Pro (brightness and refresh rate), depending on preference
- Performance: ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Do you value wireless charging convenience over the latest performance and fast wired charging?
- Wireless: S21 Ultra
- Latest Performance: ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Do you need the latest OS, WiFi, and Bluetooth standards, or is an older but well-regarded phone sufficient?
- Latest: ROG Phone 8 Pro
- Well-regarded: S21 Ultra
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast on a Budget
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, which can provide a very versatile camera experience with a great display at a lower price point.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer Prioritizing Performance
- Recommendation: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro; Its superior chipset, higher refresh rate, and faster charging would provide a much better gaming experience
- Scenario 3: User Who Needs the Best All-Around Device
- Recommendation: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, Its raw performance, longer battery life, faster charging, and the latest technology, will likely justify a higher price point.
- Scenario 4: Daily User with a focus on display sharpness
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G; its higher resolution display will likely result in better overall user experience if the user requires sharpness over high refresh rate.
My Choice:
I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a very versatile camera system, wireless charging, and a sharper display, the ROG Phone 8 Pro's significant performance advantage, along with its brighter display, higher refresh rate, faster charging, and longer battery life, outweigh the S21 Ultra's strengths. As someone who uses their phone for resource intensive tasks, the ROG phone's top-tier processing, coupled with its latest OS, will provide a smoother and more responsive experience, and its newer connectivity will make it more future-proof. Although the S21 Ultra's camera is impressive, I am not a professional photographer; therefore, the ROG phone will provide better experience in my daily usage.
