Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Motorola Moto G13
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 162.7 × 74.7 × 8.2 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker; G13 is more compact and thinner. S21 Ultra occupies more volume. |
| Weight | 227g | 183.5g | S21 Ultra is noticeably heavier, might feel less comfortable for prolonged use. G13 is lighter, better for single-handed operation. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus Front | Unknown Screen Protection | S21 Ultra has much better protection against scratches and damage. G13 screen protection is not defined and might be less durable. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption, gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | S21 Ultra provides much sharper images with significantly higher detail. G13 will have a noticeably lower clarity |
| PPI | 515 | 270 | S21 Ultra's display will look much crisper and clearer due to its significantly higher pixel density. G13 will show lower detail |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra has better color reproduction, contrast, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency especially with dark mode. G13 will have poorer color and contrast |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra offers smoother scrolling and animations. G13 might have slightly less fluid motion compared to the S21 Ultra. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is vastly superior for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. G13 brightness is not defined and might be very hard to see in bright conditions |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | S21 Ultra's chip is much more powerful, leading to faster performance. G13 will show noticeable lag for demanding tasks |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 225,154 | S21 Ultra is significantly faster for app loading, multitasking, and gaming. G13 will be significantly slower at performing any task |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G52 MC2 | S21 Ultra has superior graphics, better for gaming and graphically intensive applications. G13 will struggle with 3D games and graphic heavy apps |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Rear | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8 | S21 Ultra captures more detail, better low-light performance due to larger sensor and higher resolution. G13 will show less detail |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | None | S21 Ultra offers optical zoom and portrait capabilities. G13 does not have these options. |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" sensor | 8MP, f/2.0, 1/4" sensor | S21 Ultra provides much higher resolution selfies, though smaller aperture might affect low-light performance. G13 has a wider aperture but lower detail and smaller sensor |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | None | S21 Ultra has a telephoto lens for additional optical zoom options. G13 does not offer this option. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | G13 includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. S21 Ultra does not have a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | G13 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. S21 Ultra does not offer this. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | S21 Ultra has a wide-angle camera, which can also function as a macro lens. G13 does not have a dedicated wide angle. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra can record much higher resolution videos, more frame rate options, and more advanced video capture. G13 recording is limited to 1080p@30fps |
| DxOMark Mobile | 115 (Photo:121, Video:100) | Not Tested | S21 Ultra's camera performance is rated as higher quality. G13 has no comparable ratings. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 135 (Photo:133, Video:140) | Not Tested | S21 Ultra's selfie camera performance is rated as high quality. G13 has no comparable ratings |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Optical Zoom, Laser AF, RAW, Night Mode | Digital Zoom, PDAF, RAW | S21 Ultra has more advanced features and better stabilization. G13 has only basic options. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery life, assuming similar power consumption, however S21 Ultra may use more battery due to its more powerful processor |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | S21 Ultra charges faster, reducing waiting time. G13 charging might take slightly longer. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging, No charger in box | None of those features | S21 Ultra offers convenient wireless charging and the ability to charge other devices. G13 is limited in its charging capabilities. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | Android 13 | G13 has a more recent base Android version. S21 Ultra is upgradable to 15 |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Dual band, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11ac, Dual Band | S21 Ultra has the latest standard, faster, more reliable Wi-Fi. G13 will show slightly lower performance in crowded networks |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.1 | S21 Ultra has more advanced features with better power efficiency. G13 has only basic options. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, SUPL, Galileo | S21 Ultra offers more precise GPS positioning. G13 will show slightly lower performance in dense areas |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 64/128 GB | S21 Ultra offers more storage options for media and apps. G13 might fill up faster for heavy usage. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 4 GB | S21 Ultra allows for more seamless multitasking with more apps running in the background. G13 can show slowdowns while multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage expansion. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic | Dolby Atmos | S21 Ultra provides higher-quality audio playback, noise cancelling for clearer calls and richer audio experience. G13 has a simpler audio output. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | G13 is easier to access while holding the phone. S21 Ultra provides basic biometric security, location is not defined |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G13 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Compass, Barometer, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | S21 Ultra offers comprehensive sensor data for more applications. G13 is limited to only basic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, significantly higher brightness, and pixel density, making for a vastly better visual experience.
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly more powerful chipset and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile camera setup with multiple lenses, 8K video, OIS, and high DxOMark scores.
- Advanced Features: Wireless charging, reverse charging, more sophisticated audio, and more sensors.
- More RAM and storage: Offers options for more RAM (12/16GB) and more storage space.
Motorola Moto G13 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for single-handed use and better portability.
- More Recent Android Version: Ships with Android 13, although S21 Ultra is upgradable.
- Lower Price: Likely significantly more affordable than the S21 Ultra.
- Dedicated Macro and Depth: It does have dedicated macro and depth sensor cameras.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Heavier and more expensive.
- G13: Significantly lower performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Ideal For:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality images and versatile camera features.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who enjoy high-resolution streaming, vibrant displays, and rich audio.
- Professionals: Users requiring advanced features like wireless charging and high processing power for work.
Example Use Case: A photographer uses the S21 Ultra to capture professional-quality images, edits them on the phone using its powerful processor, and then displays them on its vibrant AMOLED screen.
Motorola Moto G13 is Ideal For:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a basic smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Individuals who mainly use their phone for calls, texts, and light browsing.
- First-Time Smartphone Owners: The lighter and easier to use nature of the phone will benefit those not accustomed to more complicated devices.
- Users Who Prioritize Portability: Those who want a lighter, more pocketable phone for daily use.
Example Use Case: A student uses the Moto G13 for basic note-taking, occasional social media, and calls, valuing its light weight and affordability.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- S21 Ultra: High price but high performance, suitable for those who need its advanced features and performance.
- G13: Lower price with a lower spec list, suitable for casual users with basic needs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The S21 Ultra will be a more expensive option than the G13.
- How important are performance and display quality for me? Those needing advanced performance and screen will want the S21 Ultra.
- What are my camera needs? For quality photos and videos, the S21 Ultra is the obvious choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget Priority): If the budget is the primary concern and you are a casual user, the Motorola Moto G13 is a more affordable and practical choice.
- Scenario 2 (Performance & Camera Priority): If you need top-tier performance, advanced camera features, and superior display quality, and the budget allows, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better option.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced Needs): If you want a balance of features and performance, with a mid-range budget, neither phone will be the best option and it might be better to search for other more balanced options in between these two.
My Choice
Given the specifications, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for personal use. Although it is a heavier and more expensive phone, the vastly superior display, performance, and camera system make it a much more versatile and enjoyable device for my needs.
I prioritize a high-quality display for media consumption, a powerful processor for demanding tasks, and a capable camera system for photography. The wireless charging and reverse charging capabilities are a plus, and the additional sensors also add a layer of future-proofing. The Motorola Moto G13, while having a newer Android version and lighter design, makes too many compromises in areas crucial to my needs. For me, the superior user experience that the S21 Ultra provides outweighs the higher price and weight.
