Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Motorola Edge 20 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 163 × 76 × 8 mm | Samsung slightly taller and thicker; Motorola slightly wider. Minimal difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 227g | 190g | Motorola is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Negligible size difference. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | Samsung's display is noticeably sharper, with finer details and text. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 385 ppi | Samsung offers sharper images and text than Motorola. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar display quality overall. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola has slightly smoother scrolling and animations, barely noticeable. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits (unspecified) | Samsung's display is much more readable in bright sunlight; Motorola's is not specified and likely lower. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Motorola has a faster processor, offers better gaming and application performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 813,800 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro shows slightly better benchmark performance, faster in every day usage. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 650 | Different GPUs, but Motorola has an overall slight edge in gaming and graphic intensive operations. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 108MP | Both have high-resolution main cameras; difference in sensor and aperture will impact image quality and low light performance |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.9 | Samsung's wider aperture allows slightly more light, better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.52" | Samsung's larger sensor captures more light, potentially better dynamic range. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | Yes | No | Samsung has dedicated telephoto lens for portraits. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 32MP | Samsung has higher resolution for sharper selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.3 | Samsung's wider aperture allows better low light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | 8MP, f/3.4 | Samsung has higher resolution and smaller aperture for telephoto zoom. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2 | Motorola has higher resolution for ultra-wide shots. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | Similar video recording capabilities; Samsung has a more robust image stabilization, HDR and better sound recording features. |
| DxoMark Score | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not available | Samsung's camera has been tested to be of great quality, Motorola lacks any testing records. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, OIS, Laser AF, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode | Triple camera | Samsung has more camera features, offering greater versatility. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Samsung's larger battery is likely to last longer per charge. |
| Charging Speed | 25W | 30W | Motorola charges slightly faster. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless charging, Reverse Wireless Charging, No charger in-box | Reverse Charging | Samsung offers wireless charging, Motorola does not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | Android 11 | Samsung gets more software support in the long run. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | Samsung has a newer, slightly more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Multiple | Multiple | Motorola Edge has better and more precise location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | Samsung offers a larger 512GB storage option. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 12GB | Samsung offers a larger 16GB RAM version, which is better for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | Samsung offers enhanced audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Motorola has a more convenient fingerprint sensor; Both provide basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung has more durable screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung has additional sensors that may be useful for certain applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and significantly higher brightness for excellent outdoor visibility.
- Versatile Camera System: Quad camera setup with optical zoom, OIS, laser autofocus and RAW image capture, offering more creative control.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and noise cancellation for superior sound.
- Wireless Charging: Includes wireless and reverse wireless charging features.
- More RAM and Storage: Offers up to 16GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage options.
- Better Build Quality: Superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus.
- Software Support: More software updates from the manufacturer.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Much more comfortable to hold and carry.
- Slightly Faster Performance: Faster processor and higher benchmark scores for gaming and app performance.
- Faster Charging: The phone charges slightly faster than the Samsung device.
- More precise GPS: Better location accuracy due to a greater number of satellite systems.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung: Heavier, lacks slightly in pure performance power, more expensive.
- Motorola: Inferior display quality, less versatile camera system, lacks audio features and wireless charging, less software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, photography enthusiasts, content creators, users who value display quality, and users seeking long-term software support.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Mobile gaming and multitasking.
- Outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- Enjoying high-quality media.
- Price-to-Value: Premium price, justified by the top-tier features and performance.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prefer a lightweight phone, gamers, users on a budget, and those who do not need top camera and audio features.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use and social media.
- Mobile gaming and graphic-intensive tasks.
- Users who prioritize charging speed and comfortable use.
- Users who travel often and use GPS navigation a lot.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for performance, budget-friendlier than the Samsung.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? (Brightness, sharpness, outdoor visibility)
- Do I prioritize camera versatility or pure gaming performance?
- Is wireless charging or weight more important for me?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Photography Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its more versatile camera system and RAW image capture.
- Heavy Gamer: Choose the Motorola Edge 20 Pro for its slightly better gaming performance, though the Samsung will still provide a very smooth gaming experience.
- Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Motorola Edge 20 Pro for its good price-to-performance ratio.
- Outdoor User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its significantly brighter display.
- Light User: Choose the Motorola Edge 20 Pro if weight and price are paramount.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. My reasoning is as follows:
- Display is King: The dramatically brighter display and higher resolution will provide a vastly superior viewing experience for all usage scenarios.
- Camera Versatility: I value a robust camera system, and the Samsung's quadruple setup with OIS, telephoto, and RAW support will allow me much greater creative freedom in different scenarios.
- Software Support: The guaranteed longer software support for the Samsung device will also mean that it lasts longer.
- Long-Term Value: Although the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is more expensive, it provides a more comprehensive suite of features, superior build, and a better overall experience for a power user who values a high-end device.
While the Motorola offers better performance and is lighter, these advantages don't outweigh the benefits I find more important, especially the screen and camera quality. The slightly better performance and lighter design of the Motorola are not enough to overcome the dramatically superior display quality, the versatility of the camera system, and the better audio quality that the S21 Ultra has.
