1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 163.1 x 76 x 8.8 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller, Edge 30 Pro slightly wider. Both are very close, negligible difference. |
| Weight | 227g | 196g | Edge 30 Pro is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Minimal difference in screen size, essentially identical in practical use. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has a sharper display, resulting in better text clarity and image detail. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 393 ppi | S21 Ultra's display is noticeably sharper, especially for close-up viewing. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 Pro offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations but it's barely noticeable to the human eye. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra's screen is much brighter, making it significantly more usable in direct sunlight. Motorola Edge 30 Pro data is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Edge 30 Pro generally offers faster processing, quicker app loading times and more efficient performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,061,400 | Edge 30 Pro is significantly faster, translating to a smoother overall user experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Edge 30 Pro is faster in graphically intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Main) | 108MP f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.55" | S21 Ultra captures more detail with higher resolution, better low light performance with bigger sensor. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP f/2.4, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait photography. |
| Selfie | 44MP f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 60MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" | Edge 30 Pro has slightly higher resolution, but the S21 Ultra's larger sensor might give better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP f/4.9, 1/2.65" | None | S21 Ultra has a second dedicated telephoto lens for enhanced zoom. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Motorola has a dedicated sensor for portrait depth. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 50MP f/2.2, 1/2.76" | Edge 30 Pro has much higher resolution for wider and macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@60fps, HDR | Up to 8K@30fps, HDR | Both are excellent for video recording, with very similar features and quality. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 115 Main, 121 Photo, 100 Video | 101 Main, 107 Photo, 102 Video | S21 Ultra's camera is superior overall, especially in photo quality. Motorola has slightly better video. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 135 Main, 133 Photo, 140 Video | Not Tested | S21 Ultra is great for selfies according to DxOMark. |
| Features | Quadruple Camera, OIS, Laser AF, RAW, Optical Zoom | Triple Camera, OIS, LAF, Dual PDAF, Ultra stable video | S21 Ultra offers more flexibility with optical zoom, Edge 30 Pro with better stabilization and more autofocus options. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4800mAh | S21 Ultra offers slightly longer battery life due to its larger battery. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Edge 30 Pro charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse Wireless | 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse Charging | Both offer wireless charging, S21 Ultra has faster reverse wireless. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | Edge 30 Pro is slightly more recent with Android 12, but S21 Ultra will have longer OS support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 128/256/512GB | Same storage options available. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 8/12GB | S21 Ultra has more RAM, making it better for demanding multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows external storage expansion. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer fast Wi-Fi, S21 Ultra has MIMO support for potentially better performance with supported networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, with many profiles | 5.2, with some audio profiles | Both have good Bluetooth, S21 Ultra has more profiles, but Edge 30 Pro has LDAC and AAC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, Dual band GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Dual band GPS | S21 Ultra has more satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Both have good audio, S21 Ultra offers better playback, Edge 30 Pro has more mics. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic In-display | Side-mounted | Motorola's sensor may be more convenient to use while holding. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 3 | S21 Ultra is significantly more resistant to scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21 Ultra has more sensors for more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and brightness offer a noticeably sharper and more viewable screen, especially in sunlight.
- More Powerful Camera System: Offers dedicated telephoto lenses for better optical zoom and overall better photography performance based on DxOMark scores.
- More RAM: Up to 16GB of RAM for heavier multitasking and gaming.
- More Sensors: Extra sensors like barometer can benefit particular users.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus provides much better protection against scratches and drops.
- Longer OS Support: Will likely receive Android updates for a longer period.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Lighter: 31g lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Faster Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and higher benchmark scores lead to a smoother and faster experience.
- Faster Charging: 68W fast charging is much faster than the 25W of the S21 Ultra.
- Slightly Smoother Screen: 144Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations (although marginal).
- Better Wide + Macro Camera: Higher resolution sensor for wider shots and macro photography.
- More Recent OS: Launched with Android 12, while S21 Ultra started with Android 11.
- Better Ultra Stable Video: Edge 30 Pro offers special features for stable video recording.
- More Microphones: Better audio capture quality.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra has a better display and camera but is heavier and charges slower.
- The Edge 30 Pro is faster and lighter but has a less sharp display and a less versatile camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Photographers, videographers, content creators, power users who demand the best display and camera quality.
- Use Cases:
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
- Extensive photo editing, video editing, and content creation.
- Demanding multitasking with multiple apps and large files.
- Outdoor usage where screen visibility in sunlight is critical.
- Price-to-Value: Premium price for top-tier camera and display tech.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, social media users, general users who value speed, lightness, and fast charging.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming where performance and responsiveness matter.
- Heavy social media use where quick loading and responsiveness are desired.
- Users that value lighter devices.
- Users who prioritize fast charging to minimize downtime.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent performance and features for a more mid-range price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera quality and flexibility? If a top-tier camera system is a must, the S21 Ultra is a strong contender.
- How much do you value portability and charging speed? The Edge 30 Pro is much lighter and charges significantly faster.
- What do you value more: Display sharpness or overall speed? The S21 Ultra has a sharper screen, while the Edge 30 Pro is faster overall.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer - S21 Ultra is the better choice due to its advanced camera system, optical zoom, and better photo scores from DxOMark.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer - Motorola Edge 30 Pro with its faster performance, higher refresh rate, and fast charging capabilities, the ideal phone for you.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User - Consider your typical usage. If you prioritize portability and fast charging, the Edge 30 Pro is great. If you value a better display and camera, the S21 Ultra is a strong choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the Motorola Edge 30 Pro is a compelling option with its lighter weight and faster charging, the S21 Ultra's superior display quality, more flexible camera system with better zoom capabilities, and extra RAM give it a significant edge in my priorities. As someone who values high quality photos and videos, I would sacrifice a bit of speed and charging for the vastly superior display and camera experience.
