Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Motorola Moto G14
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G14 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 161.5 x 73.8 x 8 mm | The S21 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker, potentially making it less comfortable for smaller hands. The Moto G14 is more pocketable and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 227g | 177g | The Moto G14 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. The S21 Ultra's weight is noticeable, particularly during longer phone sessions. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown (screen) | The S21 Ultra has superior screen protection from scratches and drops. The Moto G14's screen protection is unknown, increasing the risk of damage. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G14 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. The Moto G14 is a bit more compact, potentially easier to use one-handed. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has a much sharper display with noticeably higher detail. Text and images are crisper, making for a better visual experience, especially for high-resolution content. |
| PPI | 515 | 405 | The S21 Ultra provides a noticeably sharper image with higher pixel density, resulting in clearer text, sharper images and more detailed visual content. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The S21 Ultra's AMOLED display offers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. The Moto G14's IPS LCD is less vibrant and has lower contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | The S21 Ultra offers much smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the fluidity of the user interface and gaming. The Moto G14's 60Hz display feels less responsive. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The S21 Ultra has a much brighter display, making it far more readable in direct sunlight. The Moto G14's brightness is not listed, meaning its visibility in sunlight will be limited. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G14 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | The S21 Ultra's chip provides significantly faster processing, app loading, and better gaming. The Moto G14's chipset is significantly slower, making it less responsive, especially under heavy loads. |
| Antutu Score | 749,000 | 220,000 | The S21 Ultra has substantially higher performance, leading to smoother multitasking and faster app performance. The Moto G14 will struggle with demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The S21 Ultra offers much better graphics performance, enabling smoother gaming at higher settings and better image processing. The Moto G14's GPU is suitable for basic tasks and light gaming. |
| RAM | 12GB or 16GB | 4GB or 8GB | The S21 Ultra provides vastly better multitasking performance, allowing users to run many apps simultaneously without performance issues. The Moto G14 will suffer from RAM limitations for heavy multitasking. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G14 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | S21 Ultra captures more detailed images, allowing for greater cropping and printing flexibility. The Moto G14 provides adequate quality for everyday use but with less detail. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/2.76" | S21 Ultra's larger sensor gathers more light resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. Moto G14's smaller sensor is less capable in challenging light conditions. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | Yes (10.8MP) | No | The S21 Ultra can capture high-quality zoomed photos, offering more versatility for capturing various perspectives. The Moto G14 is limited to digital zoom, resulting in lower quality zoomed images. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 8MP | S21 Ultra provides much more detail in selfies, making it suitable for high-quality social media posts and video calls. Moto G14's selfie camera is suitable for basic use. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes (10.8MP) | No | The S21 Ultra offers a second telephoto lens which provides superior zoom capabilities. The Moto G14 lacks a dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes (2MP) | The Moto G14 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos. S21 Ultra lacks a dedicated macro lens but has a wide angle that can function as a macro. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | Yes (12.2MP) | No | S21 Ultra offers a wide angle lens which captures more of the scene, and can function as a macro lens. Moto G14 lacks a wide angle lens. |
| Video Resolution | Up to 8K @ 24fps | 1080p @ 30fps | The S21 Ultra provides professional-grade video recording capabilities with 8K resolution and various frame rates, while the Moto G14 is limited to 1080p. |
| Camera Features | Extensive (OIS, 4K/8K video, RAW, etc.) | Basic (digital zoom, HDR) | S21 Ultra offers a wider range of manual controls and creative shooting modes, providing greater flexibility for photography enthusiasts. |
| DxOMark Score (Main) | 115 (Photo 121, Video 100) | Not Available | The S21 Ultra has a highly rated camera based on DxOMark testing. The Moto G14's camera performance is untested by DxOMark. |
| DxOMark Score (Selfie) | 135 (Photo 133, Video 140) | Not Available | The S21 Ultra has a highly rated selfie camera based on DxOMark testing. The Moto G14's selfie camera performance is untested by DxOMark. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G14 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage. However real life battery life depends on display usage, applications used and other settings. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | The S21 Ultra charges faster, reducing the waiting time for a full charge. The Moto G14 charges slower. |
| Additional Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | None | S21 Ultra offers more flexibility and convenience. The Moto G14 lacks these features. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G14 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (Upgradeable to 15) | Android 13 | The Moto G14 offers a more up-to-date version of Android. S21 Ultra is older but offers the same level of software as it is planned to upgrade to version 15. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | The S21 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6 which offers faster speeds and more efficient data transfer, leading to better connectivity in crowded environments. The Moto G14 uses older Wi-Fi standard. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.0 | The S21 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version that can connect to more devices, offers more features and is more efficient. |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | The S21 Ultra offers the option for more storage, which is beneficial for users who need to store a lot of photos, videos, and apps. Both devices lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Noise Canceling Mic, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra offers superior audio quality, clearer calls, and an enhanced listening experience with its Hi-Res Audio and noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | The Moto G14 has a more modern, convenient, and quicker fingerprint sensor. Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | Compass, Barometer, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | The S21 Ultra has a more comprehensive sensor suite which enables a broader range of applications including those used in gaming and navigation. The Moto G14 has fewer sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, vibrant AMOLED technology, smoother 120Hz refresh rate, and much brighter, making it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and outdoor use.
- Exceptional Performance: Much faster processor, GPU, and higher RAM, ensuring a lag-free experience with demanding apps, heavy multitasking, and high-end gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Far more versatile and higher quality camera with higher resolution sensors, multiple telephoto lenses, and 8K video recording, making it suitable for serious photographers and videographers. It also has a higher DxOMark score.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Faster 25W charging with the added convenience of wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Better Connectivity: Faster Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring faster speeds and more reliable connections with various devices.
- Superior Audio: Hi-Res audio and noise cancellation microphone which gives a richer audio experience.
Motorola Moto G14 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Significantly lighter, easier to handle, more pocketable, and comfortable for longer usage.
- More Recent Operating System: Comes with a more recent Android version out-of-the-box
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and quick, as the fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button.
- Dedicated Macro Camera: Has a dedicated macro lens, lacking on the Samsung.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Higher price, more fragile due to glass construction, bulkier and heavier than the Moto G14.
- Moto G14: Significantly lower performance, inferior display, basic camera capabilities, no wireless charging, much slower charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who demand top-tier performance for heavy multitasking, gaming, and running resource-intensive applications.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos, movies, and playing games.
- Photography Lovers: Individuals who want a versatile, professional-grade camera system with multiple lenses and advanced features.
- Professionals: Users who need a reliable device for productivity, with fast processing, and excellent connectivity.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile Gaming: The higher refresh rate, powerful GPU, and large, high-resolution display make it an excellent choice for gamers.
- Content Creation: The 8K video recording, detailed image quality, and various lenses allow users to create professional-quality content on the go.
- Photography & Editing: The versatile camera system and high-resolution display are ideal for photography and photo editing, especially for those needing telephoto and high-quality zoom capabilities.
Motorola Moto G14 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a functional smartphone without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Users who prioritize comfort and portability: Individuals who value a lighter, easy-to-handle device, such as the elderly.
- Users who need a basic device for calls and media consumption: Such as students and people who may want to separate their primary phone.
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic Communication: Suitable for calls, messaging, and light social media use.
- Casual Media Consumption: Good enough for watching videos and browsing the internet.
- General Daily Use: Ideal as a backup device, travel phone or for general day to day usage without intensive processing.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? Is it gaming and content creation, or basic communication and social media?
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra is significantly more expensive, while the G14 is budget-friendly.
- What features do you prioritize? A superior display and camera, or comfort and practicality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1 (High-Performance User): If you are a gamer, content creator, or power user, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the clear winner due to its superior performance, display, and camera capabilities, despite the higher price.
Scenario 2 (Budget-Conscious User): If your budget is tight and you only need a basic phone for daily tasks, the Motorola Moto G14 is the better option as it provides an adequate user experience at a fraction of the cost, and is more comfortable to handle.
Scenario 3 (Balanced User): If you desire an excellent display and camera system but are not overly concerned about having top performance, you may consider looking for a discounted Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. However, if you want to prioritise comfort, portability and a basic phone for communication, the Motorola Moto G14 is more suitable.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While it's older, its superior display, performance, and camera capabilities would benefit me more. Although the Moto G14 is more recent and lighter, the advantages of the S21 Ultra outweigh these for my needs. I often use my phone for media consumption, photography, and occasionally gaming, which are all areas where the S21 Ultra excels. While I value a light phone, the benefits of the S21 Ultra make the trade-off of extra weight worth it. I would look for the 256GB storage version to ensure I have sufficient space. If price was a major concern, I would instead consider a mid-range phone.
