1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker, might feel less comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 227g | 198.5g | Motorola is significantly lighter, better for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | S21 Ultra offers a slightly larger viewing area for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has a noticeably sharper and more detailed display. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | S21 Ultra provides higher text and image clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; similar quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | Motorola offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1250 nits | S21 Ultra is more easily viewable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola has a more recent, powerful, and efficient chipset. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,231,300 | Motorola provides substantially faster app loading and better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Motorola's Adreno GPU offers higher gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 200MP | Motorola captures more detail in well-lit environments, but megapixel count isn't everything. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.22" | Motorola has a larger sensor, potentially better low light performance |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.95 | S21 Ultra has a wider aperture, better light gathering capability. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP | N/A | S21 Ultra has dedicated telephoto lens for portraits with optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 60MP | Motorola captures more detail in selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.65" | 1/2.8" | S21 Ultra captures slightly more light with larger sensor |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP f/4.9 | 12MP f/1.6 | Motorola has a wider aperture telephoto lens, likely better low light |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 50MP f/2.2 | Motorola has dedicated wide angle lens, for landscape photography |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP | N/A | S21 Ultra has dedicated macro lens for close-up photography |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both capable of high-quality 8K video recording; negligible difference |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 115 | N/A | S21 Ultra's camera quality is well-established, but Motorola's is untested. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 135 | N/A | S21 Ultra's selfie camera performs better, but Motorola's is untested |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4610mAh | S21 Ultra may offer slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast | 125W Fast | Motorola charges significantly faster, less downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 50W | Motorola charges wirelessly much faster than S21 Ultra |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 9W | 10W | Both can charge other wireless devices |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | S21 Ultra is likely to get longer software support |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Both offer fast Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.2 LE | S21 Ultra offers a broader range of Bluetooth profiles. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS (L1+L5), QZSS, SUPL, BeiDou (B1) | Motorola offers more satellite support for more precise GPS |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | S21 Ultra offers an option for more storage for extensive media. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 8/12 GB | S21 Ultra offers more RAM for intensive multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone can use external memory cards. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra has more comprehensive audio feature set |
| Security & Build | |||
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint security. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 Ultra has superior scratch and shatter resistance. |
| Sensors | Barometer, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Compass, Hall, Geomagnetic | Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Compass, Gravity | S21 Ultra has additional sensors for more capabilities |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Higher Resolution & Sharper Display: The 1440p display offers significantly more detail and clarity, which is ideal for media consumption and detailed work.
- Better Display Brightness: 1500 nits brightness makes the screen much more visible in bright outdoor environments, a crucial factor for people who spend a lot of time outside.
- More Comprehensive Camera System: Includes dedicated telephoto and macro lenses offering versatility.
- More RAM Options: Offers 16 GB variant for more intensive multitasking
- More Storage Option: Offers 512GB variant for larger media libraries
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior protection against scratches and drops.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Offers a slightly bigger battery that may translate into slightly longer battery life
- More comprehensive Audio: Hi-res audio and noise cancellation microphone offer premium audio experience
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Barometer, Hall, and Geomagnetic sensors enable more features
- Likely Longer Software Support: The S21 Ultra will likely get more updates than the Motorola
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers significantly better CPU and GPU performance for faster app loading and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging significantly reduces downtime and charging time.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably smoother experience.
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more portable.
- Wider Telephoto Lens Aperture: Better low light zoom performance
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: Offers a unique camera for landscape and large group photos
- More precise GPS: Offers more GPS system support
- Higher resolution main and front camera: higher megapixel count, offering slightly more detail
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra's superior display comes at the cost of a slightly larger and heavier form factor.
- The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra's faster charging and superior performance come at the expense of a lower display resolution and lower brightness.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is more established in the camera department, while Motorola's lacks public benchmarks
- Samsung's software support is likely longer than the Motorola's
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who watch a lot of videos, browse images, and demand high-resolution visuals.
- Photography Lovers: Users who need versatile cameras, zoom capabilities, and detail.
- Power Users: Users who need the very best display, audio, and build quality.
- Users who prioritize longer software support
Use Cases:
- Professional Photography: Capturing detailed images, utilizing optical zoom and macro capabilities.
- Outdoor Use: Easily viewable screen in bright sunlight.
- High-Quality Content Consumption: Enjoying high-resolution videos with rich colors.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Users who need top-tier gaming performance and a high refresh rate.
- Users on the Go: Users who need fast charging, a lightweight device, and good general performance.
- Users who prioritize speed and efficiency: Users who need apps and games to load quickly.
- Those who want a versatile camera system
Use Cases:
- Intensive Gaming: Smooth gameplay with high frame rates.
- Frequent Travelers: Fast charging and lightweight design are highly convenient.
- Daily Multitasking: Quick app loading and seamless switching.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? (Resolution, brightness, and sharpness)
- How critical is gaming performance and fast charging?
- Do you value a highly versatile camera, or fast charging and speed?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "The Media Power User" - If you prioritize the very best display quality, comprehensive camera features, and are willing to sacrifice some gaming performance, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: "The Mobile Gamer and On-the-Go User" - If you need the absolute best gaming experience, blazing-fast charging, and a lighter, more compact device, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is preferable.
- Scenario 3: "The Balanced User" - If you seek a mix of performance and display quality, consider the Motorola. It's more modern and offers better general performance, but it's important to note the S21 Ultra is an amazing phone.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a superior display and more complete camera system (on paper), the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra's combination of significantly faster performance, incredibly rapid charging, and a more modern chipset would be more beneficial for my daily usage. I prioritize speed and efficiency in my phone usage. The smoother experience from the 144Hz display and the convenience of such fast charging would be more impactful for my day-to-day life than the higher resolution screen. While the camera quality is unknown without benchmarks, the addition of a wide-angle and a more powerful telephoto lens adds greater versatility for different shooting scenarios. Given the choice, I would prefer the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra over the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
