1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G31 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly larger and bulkier, may be less comfortable in hand for some users |
| Weight | 227g | 181g | Moto G31 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use |
| Build Material | (Not Specified) | (Not Specified) | Without further info, no conclusion can be drawn regarding build quality |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G31 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.4" | S21 Ultra has a larger display for more immersive viewing and better multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has a much sharper and more detailed display. |
| PPI | 515 | 411 | S21 Ultra offers a significantly crisper image quality. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 Ultra provides much smoother animations and a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra offers significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight (Moto G31 brightness not specified) |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G31 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset is much more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 225,154 | S21 Ultra offers drastically superior performance in most tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Mali-G52 MC2 (Arm Mali-G52 MC2) | S21 Ultra has a much more powerful GPU for graphics-intensive tasks and gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G31 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.80µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm pixel size | S21 Ultra has a higher resolution and larger sensor, suggesting better image quality and low light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm pixel size | N/A | S21 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto capabilities for better zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70µm pixel size | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | S21 Ultra offers higher resolution front-facing photos. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm pixel size | N/A | S21 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto lens for superior zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel size | Moto G31 offers wide-angle shots for capturing more in the frame. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | Moto G31 offers dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm pixel size | N/A | S21 Ultra offers wide-angle and macro combined in one lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra offers much higher resolution and more advanced video features, professional quality video capture. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 115, Photo: 121, Video: 100 | N/A | S21 Ultra has been tested and has a significantly higher performance when compared to the Moto G31. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 135, Photo: 133, Video: 140 | N/A | S21 Ultra has been tested and has a significantly higher performance when compared to the Moto G31. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, 8K Video, OIS, Manual focus, Laser AF, Night Mode | Triple camera, Laser autofocus (LAF) | S21 Ultra has more advanced features, including optical image stabilization and higher quality recording options. Moto G31 features Laser Autofocus (LAF) |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G31 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, so should offer similar battery life under similar use conditions. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 10W Fast Charging | S21 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Other Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | None | S21 Ultra offers more charging flexibility and convenient wireless charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, and brightness offer a significantly better visual experience.
- Massive Performance Boost: Much faster chipset and GPU leading to better performance in all tasks.
- Advanced Camera System: Significantly better main camera, dedicated telephoto lenses, more advanced video recording, and higher-resolution front-facing camera.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Enables more convenient and quicker charging.
- Premium Audio Features: Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers for better overall audio experience
- Future Proofing: Better connectivity with Wifi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and more extensive GPS.
- More RAM and Storage options: 12 or 16 GB RAM and storage variants of 128GB, 256GB or 512GB for the S21 Ultra 5G compared to 4GB and 64GB or 128GB for the Moto G31.
Practical Implications: S21 Ultra offers a premium experience with better visuals, smoother performance, better photography, more flexible charging options and more RAM and storage.
Motorola Moto G31 Advantages:
- Lighter: More comfortable to hold for longer periods.
- Affordable: Likely more budget-friendly (price not provided).
- Wide Angle and Macro Camera: Dedicated lenses offer versatility for close-up and wide angle shots.
Practical Implications: Moto G31 is more budget friendly and lighter, offering more basic functionality.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Is larger, heavier, and likely more expensive.
- Moto G31: Has significantly less performance, lower quality display, less advanced camera system, and slower charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who multitask heavily, play demanding games, and need top performance.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value high-quality photos and videos with advanced features.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who want a large, high-resolution display with a smooth refresh rate.
- Professionals: Need dependable high performing devices.
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional photography/videography.
- Mobile gaming.
- Content creation and editing on the go.
- Business users needing high performance.
Motorola Moto G31 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks, social media, and browsing.
- Users who prefer a lighter device Those who find the size and weight of the S21 Ultra 5G too cumbersome.
Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday communication and social media use.
- Basic photography.
- Light gaming.
- Users who don't demand top performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? (S21 Ultra is likely to be considerably more expensive).
- How important is performance? (Do you need a very high-performance device or will basic tasks suffice?)
- How important is the camera quality? (Do you need advanced features and quality or will basic functionality suffice)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (High Budget, High Performance): If you have a high budget and prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2 (Limited Budget, Basic Needs): If you have a limited budget and mainly need a phone for basic tasks and casual use, the Motorola Moto G31 is a more sensible option.
- Scenario 3 (Camera Focused): If you're a photography enthusiast and need high quality versatile shots, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G would be a much better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Despite the unknown cost, the superior performance, vastly superior display, and much more capable camera system, as well as additional features like wireless charging make it the obvious choice for me. The S21 Ultra is better suited for more demanding users, and while the Moto G31 is a fine phone, it is not the device for those seeking high performance. The much more performant chipset, 120Hz display, higher resolution, and advanced camera system are far more important to me than the weight difference. For my needs, the S21 Ultra is simply the better device for my personal use case. While the Moto G31 serves its purpose for a more basic phone, the S21 Ultra provides features and capabilities for a more demanding user.
