1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the two phones, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G24 Power | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 163.5 x 74.5 x 9 mm | Samsung is slightly larger; the difference is not very noticeable |
| Weight | 227g | 197g | The Moto G24 Power is significantly lighter (30g difference), making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown | S21 Ultra has superior screen protection against scratches and drops. Moto G24 Power's screen protection is unknown |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G24 Power | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.56" | S21 Ultra provides a slightly more immersive viewing experience with a larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 720 x 1612 | S21 Ultra offers significantly sharper and more detailed visuals, ideal for multimedia. |
| PPI | 515 | 269 | S21 Ultra provides much clearer text and images, making a noticeable difference in daily usage. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra has superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra offers smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 500 nits | S21 Ultra has much better visibility in bright sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G24 Power | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 266,894 | S21 Ultra scores almost 3x higher, indicating a substantial performance difference |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G52 MC2 | S21 Ultra's GPU provides superior graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G24 Power | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm | S21 Ultra offers much higher resolution and larger sensor, capturing more detailed photos. |
| Telephoto Camera | 10.8MP (x2), f/2.4, f/4.9 | None | S21 Ultra provides optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without losing quality. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | S21 Ultra includes an ultrawide camera, enabling creative shooting angles and better macro photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 0.7µm | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | S21 Ultra takes significantly higher-resolution selfies. G24 has a slightly wider aperture |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Moto G24 Power has a dedicated macro lens, suitable for close-up shots |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps | 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra supports much higher quality video recording, including 8K, and high-speed slow motion. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not Available | S21 Ultra has a proven higher camera performance according to DXOMark, while the G24 Power's camera has not been tested on DXOMark. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G24 Power | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | G24 Power has a larger battery, potentially providing longer usage times between charges. |
| Charging | 25W | 33W | G24 Power charges faster, reducing downtime for battery refills. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, reverse charging | None | S21 Ultra offers versatile wireless charging options, useful for users with wireless accessories. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here are the major advantages and trade-offs of each phone:
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Advantages:
- Significantly superior display (AMOLED, high resolution, high brightness, 120Hz).
- Much more powerful chipset and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
- More versatile and higher-quality camera system, including multiple telephoto lenses and 8K video recording.
- Advanced features: wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, Hi-Res Audio
- Better screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus.
- More connectivity features (Wi-Fi 6, newer Bluetooth version).
- Trade-offs:
- Heavier and slightly bulkier design.
- Lower battery capacity than the G24 Power and slower charging speed.
- Older Android version
- More expensive.
Motorola Moto G24 Power:
Advantages:
- Significantly larger battery capacity (6000mAh) for longer battery life.
- Faster charging speed (33W).
- Lighter and easier to handle
- Newer Android OS
- More affordable.
- Includes a macro lens.
Trade-offs:
- Much lower display quality (IPS LCD, lower resolution, lower brightness, 90Hz).
- Substantially weaker chipset and GPU, limiting performance for demanding tasks.
- Less capable camera system.
- Fewer advanced features: No wireless charging or advanced audio features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Ideal For:
- Users who prioritize display quality (content creators, media consumers).
- Gamers and those who need high processing power.
- Photography enthusiasts who want a versatile camera system with high-quality images and videos.
- Users who need additional features: wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, advanced audio features
Motorola Moto G24 Power is Ideal For:
- Users who prioritize battery life above all else.
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable phone for basic tasks.
- Users who prefer a lighter, more ergonomic design.
- Users who don't play games often or perform demanding tasks.
Specific Use Cases:
- S21 Ultra: Professional photography/videography, high-end gaming, multimedia consumption, productivity with heavy apps.
- Moto G24 Power: Everyday social media browsing, communication, extended battery use for travel or field work, light gaming, users who need macro lens.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers to consider:
What is your primary need: Premium features and performance or long-lasting battery and affordability?
- If performance, display quality and better camera are critical, choose the S21 Ultra.
- If extended battery life and lower cost are more important, the Moto G24 Power is better.
How do you prioritize display quality and camera capabilities?
- If you value a vibrant display with high resolution and better cameras, the S21 Ultra is the clear choice.
- If you need a basic display for everyday usage and a decent camera, the Moto G24 Power will suffice.
What's your budget, and what features are worth spending more on?
- If you have a larger budget and value top-tier features, the S21 Ultra justifies the higher cost.
- If you're budget-conscious, the Moto G24 Power offers essential features at a lower price point.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Power User: You game, consume media, and perform demanding tasks on your phone. You have a budget for a high end device. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its superior performance, display, and camera.
Scenario 2: Budget User: You need a basic phone for communication and social media with long battery life. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G24 Power for its excellent battery life and affordable price.
Scenario 3: Camera Enthusiast: You want a phone with great cameras and photography versatility. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for it's versatile set of cameras and better picture quality.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the Motorola Moto G24 Power offers a great battery and is more budget friendly, the overall experience provided by the S21 Ultra is significantly superior. The display is a massive upgrade, offering vibrant colours and sharpness that cannot be matched by the G24 Power. Additionally, the camera system on the S21 Ultra is far more versatile and capable, providing a huge advantage for photography and videography. Lastly, the better performance of the S21 Ultra is a big plus, providing smoother multitasking, quicker app loading and a better gaming experience. Despite the bigger battery of the G24 Power, the S21 Ultra has wireless and reverse wireless charging which is useful for charging other devices. While the S21 Ultra is a more expensive device, it provides a significantly better experience across the board, making it a great all-round device.
