1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G30 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2021-03-17 | Motorola is slightly newer. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 165.2 × 75.7 × 9.1 mm | Very similar size. Moto G30 is marginally thicker and taller. |
| Weight | 227g | 200g | Moto G30 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | S21 Ultra has a dramatically sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 515 | 269 | S21 Ultra's display is much denser, resulting in significantly crisper images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors; better for outdoor visibility and media. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra's display is smoother, particularly noticeable during scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is significantly better for outdoor visibility, even under bright sunlight. Note: Moto G30 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset is much more powerful, providing significantly faster performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps. |
| Antutu Score | 749,000 | 170,968 | S21 Ultra is substantially faster, resulting in a noticeably smoother and more responsive user experience overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 610 | S21 Ultra's GPU is significantly more powerful, delivering superior graphics performance for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity and may offer comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | S21 Ultra charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Reverse, Wireless, No Charger | Non-removable | S21 Ultra offers wireless and reverse charging, providing more flexibility. Moto G30 lacks those features and includes a charger in-box. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8 | 64.4MP, f/1.7 | S21 Ultra offers higher resolution images, while Moto G30 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | S21 Ultra has a much higher resolution front camera for detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | None | S21 Ultra offers an additional telephoto lens for more versatile zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Moto G30 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Moto G30 has a depth sensor for more accurate portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Moto G30 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes and macro shots. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 1080p@60fps | S21 Ultra records much higher quality video, with 8K and 4K options. |
| Camera Features | Multiple Advanced Features | Basic Features | S21 Ultra has a more versatile set of features better for professional photography |
| DxoMark Scores | Mobile 115; Selfie 135 | None | S21 Ultra's camera performance is significantly higher as verified by independent benchmarking. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 15 | Android 11, up to 12 | S21 Ultra will receive more software updates, extending its useful life. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MiMO | Wi-Fi 5 | S21 Ultra offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.0 LE | S21 Ultra has a newer and more efficient Bluetooth version with more features and better connectivity. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS, More systems | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | S21 Ultra has better GPS accuracy and reliability. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 64/128 GB | S21 Ultra offers much more storage space, suitable for storing lots of media and apps. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 4/6 GB | S21 Ultra offers much better multitasking performance and app loading speeds. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo speakers | Basic audio features | S21 Ultra has much higher audio quality for media and music listening. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones use fingerprint sensors for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra has superior screen protection from scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Compass, Barometer | Basic Sensors | S21 Ultra offers a more comprehensive suite of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, AMOLED technology, higher refresh rate, and much higher brightness offer a dramatically better viewing experience for all types of content, especially outdoors.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and much higher RAM provide a much faster and smoother user experience, better for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming.
- Much Better Camera System: Versatile camera array with more features like 8K video, optical zoom, telephoto lenses, and wide-angle+macro lens, resulting in much better image and video quality across diverse scenarios.
- Advanced Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse charging, better Wi-Fi, newer Bluetooth version, better GPS, and advanced audio features like Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio.
- Longer Software Support: Will receive more Android OS updates extending its life and relevance.
- Premium Build: High quality build and screen protection using Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Motorola Moto G30 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Wide Angle, Depth and Macro lenses: Offers wide-angle, depth and macro lenses as opposed to the S21.
- Included Charger: Comes with a charger in-box.
- Lower Price: Likely to be significantly more affordable, offering better value for basic smartphone needs.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung S21 Ultra is far more powerful and feature-rich but comes at a premium price and slightly heavier weight.
- The Motorola Moto G30 is more budget-friendly and lightweight, but sacrifices significant performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and videos, with versatile options for different shooting scenarios.
- Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos or consume media on their phone, and appreciate the quality and vibrancy of the AMOLED display.
- Users needing premium features: Users who need wireless charging, reverse charging, high-quality audio, advanced connectivity features and require long software support.
- Professionals: Users who require a reliable and capable device for work, with high-quality display, powerful processing capabilities and versatility.
Specific Use Cases:
- High-end gaming with smooth frame rates and detailed graphics.
- Professional photography and videography with advanced zoom and recording options.
- Consuming high-resolution media with vibrant colors and deep blacks, indoors and outdoors.
- Running complex applications and seamless multitasking.
- Long-term reliability, regular updates, and a premium build.
Motorola Moto G30 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability and value over top-tier performance and features.
- Casual Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for basic tasks such as calling, browsing, social media, and light photography.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone: Those who value comfort and lighter weight for longer usage.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks, including browsing the internet, social media, and communication.
- Taking occasional photos and videos.
- Users who need long battery life and basic functionality.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21 Ultra offers a high level of features and performance, but at a premium price point.
- The Moto G30 provides good value for its price point, focusing on basic functionality and affordability.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra is significantly more expensive, while the Moto G30 is budget-friendly.
- What are your primary use cases? If you are a heavy user, media consumer or photography enthusiast, the S21 Ultra will suit you better. If you are looking for basic usage and a lightweight device, Moto G30 will suffice.
- How important are display quality, camera capabilities, and performance? The S21 Ultra outperforms the Moto G30 in all three aspects.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: User needs the best camera, display, and performance, and has the budget for it. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Scenario 2: User has a limited budget but wants a functional smartphone for daily tasks. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G30
- Scenario 3: User needs a lighter phone and prefers a basic device for calls and social media browsing. Recommendation: Motorola Moto G30
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the price difference is significant, the vastly superior display, performance, and camera capabilities make it a much more versatile and enjoyable device for my needs. I prioritize a sharp, vibrant display for media consumption, the ability to take high-quality photos and videos, and smooth performance for various applications, and the S21 Ultra delivers on all of these aspects and future proofs the device for a few more years due to the long software support.
