1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 159.4 x 74.2 x 6.8 mm | S21 Ultra is noticeably larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for smaller hands; Edge 30 is slimmer and easier to pocket |
| Weight | 227g | 155g | Edge 30 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (screen) | S21 Ultra has better screen protection, more resistant to scratches and drops |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra offers significantly sharper visuals, making text and images crisper |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 405 ppi | S21 Ultra provides a more detailed and clearer display, more noticeable in close-up viewing |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and high contrast |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 has slightly smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is significantly brighter, with dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight. Motorola Edge 30 brightness is unknown, making it potentially difficult to use outdoors |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | S21 Ultra has a more powerful chipset, offering better performance for demanding apps and games |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 609,900 | S21 Ultra generally shows faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 642L | S21 Ultra's GPU is generally more powerful, providing better graphics for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" sensor | S21 Ultra has higher resolution and larger sensor for more detailed photos |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" sensor | Not Available | S21 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto capabilities |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" sensor | 32MP, f/2.25, 1/3.14" sensor | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, larger sensor, and a wider aperture for better selfies, especially in low light |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" sensor | Not Available | S21 Ultra offers a second telephoto lens, enhancing zoom capabilities |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Edge 30 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" sensor | Edge 30 has higher resolution, while S21 Ultra has a larger sensor |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 Ultra can record higher-resolution videos, suitable for professional content creation; both support EIS |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Overall: 115, Photo: 121, Video: 100 | Not Available | S21 Ultra's camera performance has been officially rated, while Edge 30 does not have a score |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Overall: 135, Photo: 133, Video: 140 | Not Available | S21 Ultra's selfie camera performance has been officially rated, while Edge 30 does not have a score |
| Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Laser AF, Continuous AF | Triple Camera | S21 Ultra offers advanced features for photography enthusiasts and professionals |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | S21 Ultra has larger battery, likely to provide longer battery life |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Edge 30 charges faster, reducing downtime |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging (15W), Reverse wireless charging (9W) | None | S21 Ultra offers additional flexibility with wireless charging and reverse charging |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Edge 30 ships with a newer Android version, but S21 Ultra has more years of OS updates planned |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both have similar wifi connectivity |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Both have similar Bluetooth connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | S21 Ultra uses more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both have similar dual sim capabilities |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | S21 Ultra has 512GB option for users needing more space |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 6/8 GB | S21 Ultra offers significantly more RAM, resulting in better multitasking and gaming experience |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither offer expandable storage, users are limited by internal capacity |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | S21 Ultra offers a superior audio experience, while both include stereo speakers |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both provide standard biometric security via fingerprint sensor |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | S21 Ultra's screen offers better protection against scratches and drops |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | S21 Ultra has more sensors, enabling more features |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness. This makes it better for viewing detailed content and outdoor use.
- More Powerful Performance: More powerful chipset, GPU, and higher benchmark scores lead to snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experience.
- Versatile Camera System: More camera sensors including two telephoto lenses and a larger sensor on the main camera, along with higher resolution selfie camera.
- Larger Battery: The larger battery capacity provides better battery life and it also includes wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- More RAM: More RAM makes it better for running demanding apps and for heavy multitasking.
- Advanced Audio: Offers Hi-Res Audio and noise-canceling microphone, which enhances both listening and voice quality.
- Advanced Connectivity: More GPS systems for more accurate location tracking.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for greater resistance to scratches and drops.
- Environmental Sensors: Includes barometer for weather and altitude tracking and Hall sensor.
Motorola Edge 30 Advantages:
- Lighter and Slimmer Design: Much lighter and slimmer, making it more comfortable to hold and easier to pocket.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging for quicker battery top-ups.
- Newer Android Version Out of the Box: Ships with a newer version of Android, but limited to a single OS upgrade.
- Potentially Better Ergonomics: Lighter and thinner design may be more comfortable for some users.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Larger size and weight make it less pocketable and more cumbersome for some. It has a slower charging speed.
- Edge 30: Significant compromises in performance, display quality, and camera versatility compared to the S21 Ultra. The lack of brightness info is also concerning for outdoor use.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Ideal For:
Motorola Edge 30 is Ideal For:
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera quality and versatility to you? (Do you need telephoto zoom, high-resolution photos, and 8K video, or is a decent camera enough?)
- How important is raw performance for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking? (Do you need the most powerful processor and GPU, or is smooth performance for everyday apps enough?)
- Do you prioritize portability and ergonomics or advanced features and a high-end display? (Is a light and slim design more important than a larger, brighter display and extra features?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast/Professional
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Its versatile camera system, advanced features, and high-quality video capabilities make it the clear choice for photography.
Scenario 2: Everyday User with a Focus on Portability
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30. Its lighter design and decent performance for general tasks make it a solid option for those who value comfort.
Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer/Power User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Its superior processor, GPU, and RAM will provide a smoother gaming and multitasking experience.
Scenario 4: User on a Budget
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30. Usually available at a lower price point than the S21 Ultra, it represents good value for money while having decent performance for everyday tasks.
What I Would Choose and Why
Based on my own needs and priorities, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Here's why:
- Camera Versatility: I am a keen photographer and videographer, and the S21 Ultra's advanced camera system, including dual telephoto lenses and 8K video, is a significant advantage for me. Its significantly better DxOMark scores and the availability of a professional mode that provides advanced controls and RAW capture is ideal for my style of photography and videography.
- Display Quality: The higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness of the S21 Ultra are crucial for media consumption and outdoor use. The clarity and sharpness provided by the 1440p display is noticeably better.
- Performance for Demanding Tasks: I often use demanding apps and play graphically intensive games, where the S21 Ultra's more powerful processor, GPU, and RAM make a significant difference.
- Long Battery Life: The larger battery means I can confidently use the phone all day without worrying about running out of charge. The reverse wireless charging feature is also valuable for my other gadgets.
- Long term Support: Despite being older, the S21 Ultra is eligible for more OS upgrades from Samsung than Motorola will provide for the Edge 30.
While I acknowledge that the Motorola Edge 30 is lighter and more portable, the S21 Ultra's superior camera, display, and overall performance are more important for me. The trade-off in size and weight is acceptable given the benefits. The Motorola's edge brighter display is unknown, which for me is a big concern, as I live in a sunny climate, and bright sunlight visibility is important to me.
