1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-05-19 | Motorola is significantly newer, possibly with more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 165.4 × 75.8 × 9.4 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly thinner but larger overall volume. Moto G is thicker by 0.5mm, but this will not make a massive difference in hand. |
| Weight | 227g | 204g | Moto G is significantly lighter (23g) making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | S21 Ultra has a much sharper, more detailed display, better for reading, videos, gaming. |
| PPI | 515 | 270 | S21 Ultra has a significantly higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably crisper image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra has superior color accuracy, deeper blacks, and better contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra has a slightly smoother display, especially noticeable when scrolling or gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is far more usable in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | S21 Ultra's chip is more powerful and efficient, providing smoother, faster performance in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 389,300 | S21 Ultra is significantly faster, with better performance in intensive apps, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MC2 | S21 Ultra offers better graphics performance for smoother gaming and video editing. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar capacity, implying comparable battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 10W fast charging, Li-Ion | S21 Ultra charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W, No charger in-box | Non-removable | S21 Ultra offers wireless charging, more convenient and flexible charging options. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | S21 Ultra captures more detailed photos, has a larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | N/A | S21 Ultra provides optical zoom for better shots of distant subjects. |
| Telephoto Lens Camera | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | N/A | S21 Ultra offers additional zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | N/A | S21 Ultra has a dedicated wide-angle for diverse shooting scenarios. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | S21 Ultra captures more detailed selfies. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Moto G has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode effects. |
| Macro lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Moto G has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra records much higher quality video with more versatile modes and features. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 115 (Overall), 121 (Photo), 100 (Video) | N/A | S21 Ultra has a strong camera performance, backed up by test scores. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 135 (Overall), 133 (Photo), 140 (Video) | N/A | S21 Ultra has an excellent selfie camera with superior performance. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical Zoom, OIS, Laser AF, RAW, Night Mode | Autofocus, PDAF, HDR | S21 Ultra has advanced features for professional quality photos and videos. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and higher brightness for significantly better viewing.
- Much Higher Performance: More powerful chipset, significantly higher benchmark scores for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile setup with multiple telephoto lenses, larger sensors, significantly higher MP main camera, and 8K video recording.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 25W charging and wireless charging options.
- Premium Audio: Enhanced audio features with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers.
- More connectivity options: newer bluetooth and wifi versions, and supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy
Motorola Moto G (2022) Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 12, possibly with newer features and longer support period.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth Cameras: Offers the flexibility for close-up and portrait photos.
- Side mounted fingerprint sensor: A faster unlock method.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Older, heavier, may not have the latest Android updates compared to the Moto G.
- Moto G: Significant performance sacrifice, lower quality display, basic camera features, slower charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Users who demand the best performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who need a versatile and high-quality camera system for various scenarios.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize display quality for watching videos and browsing.
- Professionals: Individuals needing high-quality video and advanced features for productivity.
- Users that require premium features: like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, advanced audio quality, and high quality location accuracy
- Users who value benchmarks: The S21 Ultra benchmarks much higher in Antutu compared to the Moto G (749,000 vs 389,300).
Motorola Moto G (2022) Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who need a functional smartphone at a lower price point.
- Casual Users: People who mostly browse the web, use social media, and make calls.
- Users Prioritizing Lightweight Design: Individuals who prefer a phone that's easy to hold and carry.
- Users who value having Macro and Depth Cameras: Users that find these features helpful for photos.
- Users that want a newer phone: Those who value a newer release and slightly more recent OS
Specific Use Cases:
- S21 Ultra:
- Professional photography/videography on the go.
- Mobile gaming at high graphics settings.
- Watching high-resolution movies and videos.
- Heavy multitasking across multiple apps.
- Moto G:
- Basic web browsing and social media use.
- Everyday communication and calls.
- Casual photography and video capture.
- Light productivity and email checking.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, while older, offers significantly more performance and features for its price point. However, it will come at a higher cost compared to the Motorola Moto G (2022). The Moto G is a budget option with limited features, where the main value is its affordability.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If the price is the main concern, the Moto G is a viable budget option.
- How important is performance and display quality? If you need a fast and smooth experience with a high-quality display, the S21 Ultra is a much better choice.
- How important is the camera system? If you want advanced features and higher image quality, the S21 Ultra is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is primary concern.
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G (2022). It offers basic functionality at a lower price point.
- Scenario 2: Performance and display quality are paramount.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. It offers significantly better performance, screen quality, and camera capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Photography is very important.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. It has a much more versatile and higher-quality camera system.
What I would choose and why!
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Although it's an older phone, its vastly superior performance, display quality, and camera capabilities make it the better choice for my needs. I prioritize smooth performance for multitasking, high-quality display for media consumption, and a versatile camera for various photography scenarios. While the Moto G is lighter and newer, the trade-offs in performance, display, and camera quality are significant. The premium features offered by the S21 Ultra, including wireless charging, better audio, and advanced connectivity options justify my choice, as they align better with my typical use cases, even if it means sacrificing a newer version of android.
