1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022), focusing on their practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 168.9 x 75.8 x 9.3 mm | The Moto G Stylus is slightly taller and thicker, making the S21 Ultra slightly more compact in hand. |
| Weight | 227g | 215g | S21 Ultra is slightly heavier, potentially less comfortable for prolonged use, though the difference is not substantial. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Both have large screens, suitable for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2460 | S21 Ultra offers a significantly sharper and more detailed display, noticeable in text and high-resolution images/videos. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | The S21 Ultra provides a crisper image, reducing pixelation for a better viewing experience. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra has superior color reproduction, deeper blacks, and better contrast, especially noticeable in dark environments and HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations; not a differentiator for user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is significantly brighter and offers much better readability outdoors under bright sunlight. The G Stylus brightness is unknown making its outdoor visibility questionable. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) | The S21 Ultra's chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding apps/games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 385,000 | S21 Ultra has substantially better real-world performance; noticeable in gaming, heavy multitasking, and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 619 | The S21 Ultra's GPU provides better graphics performance, making it much more suitable for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life for typical daily use, however, individual battery life can vary based on usage patterns and display settings. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | No Fast Charging Specified | The S21 Ultra charges faster, reducing downtime; the G Stylus charging speed is unknown making it a possible downside compared to the S21 Ultra |
| Battery Features | Reverse, Wireless, No Charger | No special features | S21 Ultra has additional options for power sharing and convenient charging. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", Samsung S5KHM3 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | S21 Ultra offers more detail, better low-light performance due to larger sensor size and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", Samsung S5K3J1 | Not present | S21 Ultra captures better portrait and zoomed-in photos with more detail. |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", Samsung S5KGH1 | 16MP, f/2.2, sensor model unknown | S21 Ultra's selfies have more detail and allow for larger crops. |
| Telephoto lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", Samsung S5K3J1 | Not present | S21 Ultra provides higher-quality zoomed-in pictures |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not present | 8MP, f/2.2 | G Stylus has an ultrawide camera, which is great for capturing landscapes or group shots. |
| Macro Lens | Not present | 2MP, f/2.4 | The G Stylus can take very close-up pictures of tiny subjects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563 | Not present | S21 Ultra takes better wide angle photos and macro shots with significantly better image quality. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@60fps | S21 Ultra can record high resolution videos, suitable for professional or high quality content. |
| Features | Extensive features like 4K/8K video, optical zoom, raw capture, etc. | Basic features like night mode 2.0, etc. | S21 Ultra has more advanced camera features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, pixel density, and vibrant AMOLED display makes it better for media consumption and general use.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset is substantially more powerful, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading and much better gaming experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile camera array with more powerful zoom capabilities, higher resolution sensors and advanced features like 8K video and RAW capture makes it ideal for photography and video enthusiasts.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: The option for fast and wireless charging gives the user more flexibility.
- Enhanced Audio: The S21 Ultra includes Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for better audio experience
- Better build quality: The S21 Ultra uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection for the display.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) Advantages:
- Built-in Stylus: The included stylus is ideal for note-taking, drawing, and navigation.
- Lower Price: Typically more affordable, making it a more budget-friendly choice.
- Wide Angle Lens: Includes a dedicated ultrawide lens for wider shots.
- Macro Lens: Can capture close up images
- Latest Android OS: Ships with Android 12 out of the box, while the S21 Ultra has Android 11 (upgradable to 15).
- Side mounted fingerprint sensor: This is a more modern approach than the basic sensor on the S21 Ultra.
- Lighter weight: The Moto G Stylus is slightly lighter, which can be noticeable during extended use.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra sacrifices some weight and size for a premium build, while the Moto G Stylus offers a more lightweight design with the trade-off being the lower quality display and performance.
- The S21 Ultra is a higher cost, while the Moto G Stylus is a more budget friendly option.
- The Moto G stylus lacks high-end features in camera or display technology for the lower price.
- The S21 Ultra is missing a dedicated macro lens and wide angle camera lens, but does have a macro plus wide angle lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality, zoom capabilities, and advanced video recording features.
- Media Consumers: Those who value a high-resolution, vibrant display for watching videos, browsing content, and consuming HDR content.
- Professionals: Users who need a reliable phone with high processing power, advanced features, and fast charging.
- Users who value build quality: For the higher price tag the S21 Ultra has a premium build using Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a 5G phone with a large screen and good battery life at a lower price point.
- Stylus Users: Individuals who frequently take notes, draw, or prefer stylus navigation for general use.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for social media, web browsing, and media consumption, and don't require top-end performance or camera features.
- Users who want a modern security system: With the side mounted fingerprint sensor the G Stylus has a more updated approach than the basic security method on the S21 Ultra.
Use Cases:
- S21 Ultra: Mobile gaming, professional photography, 4K/8K video recording, HDR content viewing, demanding app usage, running multiple apps, and long periods of use due to fast and wireless charging.
- Moto G Stylus: Note-taking, sketching, social media, web browsing, watching videos, casual gaming, basic daily tasks, and everyday use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is the primary concern, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is a more affordable option.
- How important is display and performance? If you need the best image quality, smoother multitasking, and the highest possible performance, the S21 Ultra is essential.
- What are your camera requirements? For high-quality pictures, better zoom, and 8k video recording, the S21 Ultra is recommended, otherwise, the Moto G Stylus camera is adequate for everyday use with the extra addition of the wide and macro lens.
- Do you need a stylus? If you need a stylus, the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is the only option, though the S21 Ultra does support styluses sold separately.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile gamer/power user: If you prioritize top-tier gaming performance and use heavy apps often, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the clear winner.
- Scenario 2: Casual user/budget buyer: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, social media, and note-taking and are cost conscious, the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) is a good option due to its stylus and lower price.
- Scenario 3: Photography enthusiast: For those who need high quality photos and zoom capabilities, the S21 Ultra is much better. The G Stylus does have the option for ultrawide and macro lenses.
- Scenario 4: Stylus User: If the stylus is a must have, the Moto G Stylus is the only option.
My Choice
Based on the provided specifications, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Here's why:
Despite being an older model, the S21 Ultra's superior display quality (AMOLED, higher resolution, higher brightness), significantly better processing power (Exynos 2100 chipset), and more advanced camera system (including better zoom capabilities and 8K video recording) make it a compelling option for me. These are all critical areas that I prioritize when choosing a phone. While the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) offers a lower price point and has a stylus, those features don't outweigh the vastly better performance and display that the S21 Ultra provides. The S21 Ultra's overall performance and premium feel align with my needs and provide a much better user experience, more than justifying the higher price. I also appreciate the faster charging and wireless capabilities.
