1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Motorola ThinkPhone, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm | The S21 Ultra is larger and slightly bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. The ThinkPhone is more compact. |
| Weight | 227g | 188.5g | The ThinkPhone is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard non-folding smartphones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | The S21 Ultra has a slightly larger display, better for immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | S21 Ultra has a sharper and more detailed display, text will appear clearer and images more vivid. |
| PPI | 515 | 399 | S21 Ultra offers noticeably crisper visuals due to the higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both technologies provide vibrant colors and good contrast; the difference is negligible for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1200 nits | The S21 Ultra is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The ThinkPhone's Snapdragon chip provides significantly better performance, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,232,700 | The ThinkPhone demonstrates a much higher benchmark score indicating better real-world performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | The ThinkPhone's Adreno GPU offers better graphical performance, especially for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | S21 Ultra captures more detail in photos, beneficial for large prints or cropping. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.55" | S21 Ultra captures slightly more light for better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.00 µm | ThinkPhone's larger pixels may offer better light sensitivity. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Lens | Yes (10.8MP) | No | S21 Ultra excels in portrait and zoom capabilities due to the dedicated lens. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 32MP | S21 Ultra provides more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | S21 Ultra's wider aperture allows more light for low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes (10.8MP) | No | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for superior zoom shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | No | Yes (2MP) | ThinkPhone has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effects in portrait mode. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar features, with S21 Ultra having a slightly wider aperture for slightly better low-light performance. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24/30/60 fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer excellent video recording options, with slightly more framerate choices on the S21 Ultra |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 115 | Not Tested | S21 Ultra has established its quality with a known benchmark, the ThinkPhone's camera is untested |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 135 | Not Tested | S21 Ultra has excellent selfie camera performance. |
| Camera Features | More features including Laser AF and Night Mode | Triple camera setup, lacks laser autofocus | S21 Ultra provides more advanced focusing and low light capabilities |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both have comparable battery life for typical daily use. |
| Charging Speed | 25W | 68W | ThinkPhone charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 15W wireless, 9W reverse | 15W wireless | S21 Ultra offers more versatile wireless charging options. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Motorola ThinkPhone | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 13 | ThinkPhone offers a more modern software experience out of the box and Samsung S21 Ultra is limited to version 15. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256 GB | S21 Ultra has more storage options, including 512GB. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 8 GB | S21 Ultra allows for more demanding app usage and improved multi-tasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows external storage expansion. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone | Dolby Atmos | S21 Ultra provides a more immersive and higher-quality audio experience. |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both devices provide basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | More comprehensive set of sensors (Compass, Barometer) | Standard sensors | S21 Ultra supports more advanced features such as air pressure reading via barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density resulting in a sharper, more detailed screen, with brighter screen, ideal for outdoor use.
- More Versatile Cameras: Boasts more lens options, including dual telephoto and larger sensors, delivering better zoom capabilities and overall photo quality, confirmed by DxOMark scores.
- More Ram Option: Available with up to 16GB RAM and 512 GB of storage
- Advanced Audio Features: Hi-Res audio and noise cancelling microphone gives better overall audio experience for playback and calls.
- Wider Wireless Charging Capabilities: Reverse charging capability and 9W reverse wireless charging.
- Comprehensive Sensors: Includes a barometer, useful for weather tracking and other altitude related features.
Motorola ThinkPhone Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers notably faster processing speeds and better gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: The 68W fast charging is a major advantage for those always on the go.
- More Compact and Lighter: Better for one-handed use and long-term carrying without fatigue.
- Newer OS: Out of box Android 13 experience with updated features.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Older chipset means less power than the ThinkPhone, more expensive at launch, heavier build.
- ThinkPhone: Less refined camera setup, lacking dedicated telephoto lenses, lower resolution display, fewer audio features and less comprehensive sensor package.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Content Creators & Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a top-tier display for video and photo editing, along with excellent image quality from the camera system.
- Power Users: Those needing high RAM options, large storage, and a full sensor suite.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Benefit from its versatile camera system with multiple telephoto lenses and high DxOMark scores, more options for different shooting styles and scenarios.
- Users that care about all round device: With more sensor and audio capabilities this phone is great for those that want a complete device.
- Users who need wireless charging: With a wider array of wireless charging options including reverse wireless charging
Motorola ThinkPhone Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Users who need raw processing power for demanding tasks like gaming or running resource-intensive apps.
- Professionals and Business Users: Who require a reliable, fast charging phone.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: Those who prefer a lighter, more compact design for ease of carrying.
- Users who want the latest OS: If a newer operating system is important, the ThinkPhone is better.
- Users who need fast charging: ThinkPhone offers a very quick 68W charge.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is display quality and camera versatility? If a top-tier display and multi-lens camera are priorities, the S21 Ultra is the clear choice.
- How crucial is raw processing speed and fast charging? For intensive usage and quick power-ups, the ThinkPhone is superior.
- Do you prefer a larger phone with more features or a lighter, more compact phone with a fast charging? The S21 Ultra is larger and has more features whereas the ThinkPhone is more compact and offers faster charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For a User Primarily Using the Phone for Media Consumption and Photography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Its superior display and versatile camera system will enhance the overall experience.
- For a User Who Needs a Fast, Reliable Phone for Gaming and Heavy Multitasking: Opt for the Motorola ThinkPhone. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and 68W charging is a more practical choice.
- For a User Who Needs a Well Rounded Device: The Samsung S21 Ultra is the better choice as it offers better specs in the display, camera and audio areas.
- For a User Who Wants Latest Software: The Motorola ThinkPhone is the better choice as it has a newer OS.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Here's why:
While the Motorola ThinkPhone offers a significant performance boost and faster charging, my priorities lean towards a superior display experience and camera versatility, areas where the S21 Ultra excels. The higher resolution display, brighter screen, and the more comprehensive camera system including additional telephoto lenses and the higher DxOMark score make it the better overall choice for me.
Although the ThinkPhone has a more modern processor, for my use case which includes more photos, videos and general media consumption, the S21 Ultra's other features hold a higher value. The additional audio features also provide an overall better user experience for me.
I also value the additional features like the barometer, and the more comprehensive wireless charging capabilities, making it a more versatile and well rounded option.
Ultimately the decision would come down to personal needs but the S21 Ultra with it's higher quality screen, better camera performance, and additional features make it my choice.
