1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Blackview A96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 161.8 × 74.2 × 8.6 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for small hands or single-handed use. A96 is more compact, better for portability. |
| Weight | 227g | 193.9g | A96 is significantly lighter making it more comfortable for extended use and reduces fatigue. S21 Ultra is more hefty, may feel more premium to some. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra has slightly larger screen, more immersive for media consumption but A96 is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has a much sharper display with significantly higher pixel density resulting in crisper text and images. A96 is still adequate for everyday usage. |
| PPI | 515 | 405 | S21 Ultra will have noticeably sharper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. A96 has decent colors but not as good contrast or black levels. S21 Ultra has better power efficiency when using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both phones provide a smooth scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra offers dramatically better outdoor visibility with much higher brightness making it significantly better for bright sunlight use. The Blackview A96 brightness is not specified and is assumed to have much lower brightness than the Samsung. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | S21 Ultra offers superior performance, faster app loading, and better multitasking. A96 is suitable for everyday tasks and less intensive gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 423,393 | S21 Ultra has significantly higher benchmark score indicating better real-world performance in apps and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MC2 | S21 Ultra has a more powerful GPU which results in better graphics performance and gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4380mAh | S21 Ultra offers longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 25W | 18W | S21 Ultra charges faster than A96 reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Reverse, wireless | None | S21 Ultra offers wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices. A96 is very basic in its battery features. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 48MP, f/1.6, 1/2" | S21 Ultra captures more detailed photos and performs better in low light due to larger sensor. A96 has a wider aperture allowing for more light, but smaller sensor and fewer megapixels. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait shots. A96 lacks this capability. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 16MP, 1/3" | S21 Ultra offers more detailed selfies and better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom. A96 lacks this capability. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | A96 has an ultrawide lens for capturing expansive scenes, something the S21 Ultra lacks. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | A96 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, while the S21 Ultra lacks this lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | None | S21 Ultra has a wide angle lens with macro capabilities offering detailed close up and wide-angle shots. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps HDR EIS | 1440p@30fps | S21 Ultra has superior video recording capabilities including higher resolutions and stabilization. |
| DXOMark Scores | Mobile 115, Selfie 135 | Not Tested | S21 Ultra is a professionally tested and verified to have a much better camera in every aspect, while the A96 has no scores available. |
| Camera Features | Extensive | Basic | S21 Ultra has advanced features like OIS, laser AF, RAW capture, and Night Mode offering greater flexibility and control. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable) | Android 13 | A96 has a more modern base Android OS but the S21 Ultra should have a path to upgrade to Android 15. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) | S21 Ultra offers faster Wi-Fi speeds, better range, and performance in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | S21 Ultra has newer Bluetooth with wider feature set. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS | Basic GPS | S21 Ultra offers better GPS accuracy using dual band and more satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256 GB | S21 Ultra has storage options up to 512 GB. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 8/12 GB | S21 Ultra offers up to 16GB of RAM for smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra offers enhanced audio with spatial audio, higher quality playback, and clearer calls. A96 offers stereo speakers for basic sound. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | A96 has a more modern and easily reachable sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra's screen is significantly more durable and scratch resistant. The Blackview A96's screen protection is unspecified. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Extensive Suite | Basic Suite | S21 Ultra has environmental sensors like barometer and hall sensor, which make it much more suitable for gaming and advance functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness offer a significantly better viewing experience with better clarity, colors and outdoor visibility.
- Higher Performance: A much more powerful chipset and GPU provide better overall speed and performance, suitable for demanding games and applications.
- Advanced Camera System: More versatile camera system with telephoto lenses, larger sensors, and higher resolutions in each lens, resulting in better photo and video quality, greater zoom capabilities, more stabilization, and 8k video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Faster 25W wired charging along with wireless and reverse wireless charging provide greater convenience.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and noise cancellation microphone offer superior audio quality.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi standard and Bluetooth offer better speeds and range along with more GPS satellite systems.
- More RAM & Storage Options: Higher memory options (16GB) and more storage (512GB) options allow for better multitasking.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection makes it more durable and scratch resistant.
- More Sensors: A greater suite of sensors make it more suitable for gaming and other advanced functionality.
Blackview A96 Advantages:
- More Modern Base Android OS: Has a newer base OS which is better for long term support.
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable to hold and easier to carry due to its size and weight.
- Lower Price: More budget-friendly, suitable for price-conscious buyers.
- Wider aperture on main camera: F/1.6 on the main camera will allow for better low light capabilities, but this is offset by a smaller sensor.
- Ultrawide and Macro Lens: It has a dedicated ultrawide and macro camera which the Samsung does not have.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Expensive and bulkier, and lacks a dedicated ultrawide and macro lens
- A96: Lower performance, inferior display and camera systems.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, professionals, photography enthusiasts, gamers, media consumers who want a premium experience with no compromise.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography
- High-end gaming and heavy multitasking
- Immersive media consumption on a high quality display.
- Users who need all the performance and features they can get.
- Price-to-Value: High initial price, but offers top-tier performance, features, and build quality, providing good value for those willing to invest in a premium device.
Blackview A96:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those needing a secondary phone, those seeking a lightweight and compact device for everyday use.
- Use Cases:
- Basic social media, browsing and communication
- Casual gaming and media consumption
- Those wanting a lighter and more compact phone.
- Those wanting a dedicated ultrawide and macro camera.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value as an affordable smartphone for basic tasks.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, everyday use, etc.)
- How much are you willing to invest? (Budget-conscious vs. premium user)
- What are your priorities? (Display quality, performance, portability, camera system, etc.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You need the best possible camera, display and overall performance for photography, media and gaming, and price is secondary: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- Scenario 2: You need a budget-friendly device that performs well for everyday tasks, is more compact and want a dedicated ultrawide and macro lens, along with a more modern Android OS: Choose the Blackview A96.
- Scenario 3: You need a high quality display, very good performance for gaming, and better battery features, and are willing to pay a premium: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
While the Blackview A96 has a more modern Android version, and is a much more affordable choice, the Samsung offers superior performance in nearly every category. The most important factors for me are the much better display, significantly faster performance, and significantly better camera system. The display on the Samsung will be much more enjoyable for gaming and consuming media. The significantly better camera will allow for more versatile and high quality photos. Finally, the faster performance allows for smoother multitasking. These benefits greatly outweigh the increased weight and bulk of the S21 Ultra, making it a much better phone overall.
