Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Motorola Moto G34
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 162.7 x 74.6 x 8 mm | The S21 Ultra is slightly larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for small hands. The Moto G34 is a bit more compact and thinner. |
| Weight | 227g | 179g | The Moto G34 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | The S21 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | The S21 Ultra offers a drastically sharper and more detailed display, especially noticeable for text and high-resolution content. |
| PPI | 515 | 270 | The S21 Ultra has a much higher pixel density, resulting in noticeably sharper images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The S21 Ultra's AMOLED screen provides deeper blacks, superior contrast, more vibrant colors and better power efficiency for dark themes compared to the Moto G34's IPS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have smooth scrolling and animation at 120Hz. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The S21 Ultra has much higher brightness, leading to significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. The Moto G34 brightness is missing, which limits evaluation of this characteristic, but would be expected to be significantly lower than the S21 Ultra. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The S21 Ultra has a significantly more powerful chipset, enabling faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 424,100 | The S21 Ultra demonstrates notably higher benchmark scores, indicating superior overall performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 619 | The S21 Ultra has a more capable GPU leading to better performance in graphics-intensive tasks and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | The S21 Ultra captures higher-resolution images with more detail. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 10.8MP | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for enhanced zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 16MP | S21 Ultra captures much more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP | None | S21 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed photography. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | Moto G34 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12.2MP | None | S21 Ultra offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in a scene. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The S21 Ultra is capable of capturing professional quality video with greater resolution and HDR. The Moto G34 is limited to FHD recording. |
| DxOMark Scores (Mobile) | Main: 115, Photo: 121, Video: 100 | Not Tested | The S21 Ultra is rated by DxOMark as having very good image and video quality. The Moto G34 does not have published scores to compare. |
| DxOMark Scores (Selfie) | Main: 135, Photo: 133, Video: 140 | Not Tested | The S21 Ultra is rated by DxOMark as having very good selfie image and video quality. The Moto G34 does not have published scores to compare. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical Zoom, Quad Camera, OIS, Laser AF, Night Mode, Continuous autofocus | Dual Camera, Digital Stabilization, LAF | S21 Ultra offers more advanced camera features with superior hardware. The Moto G34 has basic camera capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity for all-day use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | The S21 Ultra offers slightly faster charging, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse charging | None | S21 Ultra has added convenience with wireless and reverse charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 13 | The Moto G34 has a newer Android version out of the box, while the S21 Ultra is upgradeable. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax), MIMO | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | The S21 Ultra has MIMO, which is slightly better for signal strengh and stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE, with more profiles | 5.1 LE, less profiles | The S21 Ultra uses the more advanced Bluetooth 5.2 standard, offering a wider array of profiles. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), GLONASS, Beidou, A-GPS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | The S21 Ultra has more GPS band support for better location accuracy, particularly in dense areas. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 64/128/256 GB | S21 Ultra has a higher maximum storage capacity of 512GB vs 256GB for the Moto G34, ideal for media hoarders. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 4/8 GB | The S21 Ultra has significantly more RAM, enabling superior multitasking and gaming experiences. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both do not support expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The S21 Ultra has higher fidelity audio with more advanced features. The Moto G34 is basic. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Moto G34 uses a more modern side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The S21 Ultra offers superior scratch and impact protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | Accelerometer, Proximity | The S21 Ultra features a more comprehensive set of sensors for advanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, and AMOLED technology for sharper, more vibrant images, and superior outdoor visibility.
- Much Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and higher RAM deliver a much faster and smoother experience for demanding applications and gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: More versatile camera setup with higher resolutions, telephoto lenses, optical zoom, OIS, and 8K video recording. Also benefits from better photo processing and DXOMark scores.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Capabilities: Offers faster 25W wired charging, plus 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging features.
- Enhanced Audio: Includes Hi-Res Audio, a noise-cancelling microphone for clearer calls and recordings.
- Superior Build Quality: Features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection.
- More Advanced Sensors: Includes Barometer, Gyroscope, and Compass for more accurate data and advanced gaming scenarios.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra provides a premium user experience, excelling in display quality, performance, photography, and added features, making it ideal for power users, content creators, and mobile gamers.
Motorola Moto G34 Advantages:
- Lighter & More Compact: Easier to handle and carry for extended periods.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 13 out of the box, although the S21 Ultra can be updated to Android 15.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More modern and convenient fingerprint unlock position.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, which the S21 Ultra lacks.
Practical Implications: The Moto G34 is a budget-friendly option that prioritizes comfort, and basic functionality. It’s suitable for users with less demanding needs and those who value simplicity and affordability.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- S21 Ultra: Higher price point, larger size, and weight.
- Moto G34: Compromises significantly on display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and premium features to achieve its low price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, content creators, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts, users who prioritize visual quality, performance, and premium features.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography with 8K recording, OIS, and multiple lenses.
- Demanding mobile gaming with fast performance, high refresh rate, and large, sharp display.
- Multitasking, heavy app usage, and resource intensive workflows.
- Enjoying high-resolution media content with vibrant colors.
- Power users who want extra features like wireless charging and reverse charging.
Motorola Moto G34:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, first-time smartphone buyers, people who prefer lightweight devices, basic daily users, and users who don't need high performance capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- General smartphone usage such as web browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Light photography and video recording.
- Daily tasks such as streaming videos.
- Users who prefer a lightweight and easy-to-handle device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? (The S21 Ultra is significantly more expensive.)
- How important are display quality and performance for you? (S21 Ultra excels in both.)
- What are your camera needs? (S21 Ultra is much better for versatile photography and video)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you want the best display, camera and performance regardless of price: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- If you need a budget-friendly device for basic tasks and prefer a lighter phone: Choose the Motorola Moto G34.
- If you want a balance between performance and budget: Neither of these phones fit this bill, a mid-range device should be considered instead.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. My choice is primarily driven by my preference for a superior display experience, significantly higher performance, and versatile camera capabilities. The S21 Ultra provides a premium experience that is well worth the added cost to me. Its higher-resolution AMOLED display with vibrant colors and superior outdoor visibility, combined with its powerful processor and multiple camera lenses, aligns with my daily usage for content consumption, gaming, and photography. The added features like wireless charging and more advanced sensors are additional perks. Although it's heavier, the benefits outweigh this drawback for my use case. I am willing to pay the price premium for these advantages.
While the Motorola Moto G34 is a compelling option for those on a very tight budget, its compromises in critical areas like screen quality and performance make it less suitable for my needs.
