Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Motorola Moto G Power (2022)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G Power (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 167.2 × 76.5 × 9.4 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly shorter, thinner; G Power is taller, thicker, and a bit bulkier overall. |
| Weight | 227g | 203g | S21 Ultra is noticeably heavier, may feel less comfortable for long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | S21 Ultra has a much sharper display with finer detail. G Power will look less crisp. |
| PPI | 515 | 270 | S21 Ultra's display is significantly sharper; text and images will appear clearer. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra has superior color reproduction, deeper blacks, and better contrast. G Power has a less vibrant display with less contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations, noticeable when gaming or navigating the UI. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra offers much better outdoor visibility in sunlight. The G Power is unusable outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | S21 Ultra has a much faster and more efficient processor, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 159,800 | S21 Ultra is significantly faster in benchmarks, indicating superior overall performance. G Power will feel much slower. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | PowerVR GE832 | S21 Ultra has a much more powerful GPU, resulting in better graphics performance in games and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | S21 Ultra captures more detailed images with greater flexibility for cropping and editing. |
| Standard Camera Sensor | 1/1.33" | 1/2.76" | S21 Ultra's larger sensor captures more light, improving low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera | Yes (2 lenses) | No | S21 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without loss of quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 8MP | S21 Ultra produces much more detailed and sharper selfie photos. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Motorola G Power has a slightly wider aperture which helps in low-light condition |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes | Motorola G Power offers the ability to take close-up photos of small objects. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | No | Yes | Motorola G Power enables photos with a blurred background effect. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Yes | No | S21 Ultra has wider field of view for capturing large group of people or scenery. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra captures higher-resolution videos for professional-quality footage. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS, OIS | EIS | Both devices offer electronic image stabilization, but S21 Ultra's optical stabilization provides superior stability. |
| DxoMark Score | Mobile: 115; Selfie: 135 | Not Tested | S21 Ultra's camera performs extremely well based on DxoMark benchmarks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacities; expected battery life will depend on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | S21 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | No | S21 Ultra offers convenient wireless charging option. |
| Reverse Charging | Yes | No | S21 Ultra can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | Android 11 | S21 Ultra receives more software updates, offering access to the newest features and security patches. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | S21 Ultra offers faster Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | S21 Ultra has a newer version of Bluetooth, potentially offering more reliable and efficient connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), Beidou | GPS, SUPL, Galileo | S21 Ultra offers more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Single SIM | S21 Ultra allows for the use of two phone numbers. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 64/128GB | S21 Ultra offers more internal storage for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 4GB | S21 Ultra has significantly more RAM, improving multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD card. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo Speakers | 2 Microphones | S21 Ultra offers superior audio quality with immersive sound, while Motorola G Power has basic audio output. |
| Security & Build | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic In-display | Side-mounted | Motorola G Power's side-mounted fingerprint sensor may be slightly more convenient than S21 Ultra's in-display sensor, but S21 Ultra has advanced biometrics with face unlock. |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra is more scratch and damage resistant. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness offer a dramatically better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Much Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset paired with much more RAM provides significantly faster processing, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers significantly higher-resolution standard and selfie cameras, multiple telephoto lenses, a wide-angle camera, and superior video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging is significantly faster than the G Power's 10W charging.
- Premium Features: Offers wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and enhanced audio features.
- More Storage: Offers a much higher 512GB storage variant.
Motorola Moto G Power (2022) Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter (24g) making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Macro Lens & Depth Sensor: While not a better camera overall, it has macro lens for close up and depth sensor for portrait mode, which the S21 Ultra doesn't have.
- Potentially Lower Price: Typically found at a lower price point, making it more budget-friendly.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Convenient and accessible location of the fingerprint sensor.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Heavier, more expensive.
- Moto G Power: Significantly inferior display, much slower performance, basic cameras, and slower charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Those who demand the best performance for gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile, high-quality camera system with zoom capabilities and advanced features.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who want a large, high-resolution display with vibrant colors and smooth refresh rate for watching videos and playing games.
- Users who want premium features: Want premium features such as wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and enhanced audio.
Motorola Moto G Power (2022) is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a functional smartphone at an affordable price point.
- Users with Basic Needs: Individuals who primarily use their phones for calls, messaging, browsing, and light social media use.
- Users who need long battery life: Users who prioritize a long battery life at low cost, at the cost of other features
- Users who want a lightweight device: Users who want a device that is lighter.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21 Ultra: Professional photographers, gamers, content creators, frequent travelers who need a powerful camera, students using a phone for video editing and advanced apps, or those with a need for maximum storage
- Moto G Power: Casual users, students who don't play graphic intensive games, users who have basic needs and want a lightweight device.
Price-to-Value:
- S21 Ultra: High price but justifies it with premium performance, display, camera, features and overall experience.
- Moto G Power: Low price but reflects limitations in performance, display, and camera.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra is much more expensive.
- How important are display quality and performance for your daily usage? The S21 Ultra has a far superior display and performance.
- What are your camera needs? The S21 Ultra has a much better camera system.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Demanding User, No Budget Constraints: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. It offers significantly superior performance, display, and camera capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User with Basic Needs: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2022). It is a more affordable option for casual users with basic needs.
- Scenario 3: Prioritizing Camera Quality & Performance: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G as the clear winner.
- Scenario 4: Prioritizing Battery Life and a Lighter Device: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2022)
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Despite the higher price, the S21 Ultra offers a significantly better overall experience. The superior display quality, vastly improved performance, and more versatile camera system are well worth the premium for my use case, which includes multimedia consumption, photography, and occasional gaming. The advantages in performance and display alone make it the preferred choice. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2022) has a lighter build and can be an excellent budget option for basic users, the trade-offs in core features and user experience make the S21 Ultra a much more compelling device for me.
