Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Nokia G10
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nokia G10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2021-04-26 | The Nokia G10 is slightly newer, but this difference is unlikely to impact most users significantly. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 164.9 × 76 × 9.2 mm | Similar size; Nokia G10 is slightly thicker. Minimal practical difference in hand feel. |
| Weight | 227g | 194g | Nokia G10 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. S21 Ultra feels more substantial and premium, but can be tiring to hold for long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.52" | S21 Ultra offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | S21 Ultra has significantly sharper display, resulting in noticeably clearer text and images. The Nokia G10's display will appear less crisp. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 269 PPI | S21 Ultra has a much sharper display; pixelation on G10 will be more visible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra's AMOLED screen offers better blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy, making media viewing more immersive. G10's IPS LCD will look less vibrant and may struggle more in direct sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | S21 Ultra offers smoother animations and scrolling, enhancing the user experience. The G10's 60Hz display may feel less responsive in comparison. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra's screen is much brighter, making it easily readable in bright sunlight. Nokia G10 screen is not readable in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G25 (12 nm) | S21 Ultra's flagship chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The G10's chipset will struggle with demanding tasks, leading to slowdowns. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 102,700 | S21 Ultra is much faster, providing a smoother overall experience and better performance in all apps and tasks. The G10 performance is very basic and only suitable for light use. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | PowerVR GE8320 | S21 Ultra offers better graphics performance for gaming, video editing, etc. G10 is limited to very basic gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, expect similar battery life for normal usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 10W fast charging | S21 Ultra charges much faster, reducing waiting times. G10 will take significantly longer to charge. |
| Features | Reverse, Wireless charging | None | S21 Ultra offers the convenience of reverse and wireless charging. G10 lacks these features. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear | 108MP, f/1.8 | 13MP, f/2.2 | S21 Ultra captures much more detailed images, especially in good lighting conditions. S21 Ultra excels in low-light and has better image quality. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | None | S21 Ultra offers optical zoom and depth effects for professional-looking photos, G10 lacks the feature. |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2 | 8MP | S21 Ultra captures sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | None | S21 Ultra offers a second telephoto zoom option at different magnification. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | None | 2MP | G10 has a depth sensor for portrait mode, but the overall quality is inferior to the S21 Ultra's implementation. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | G10 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos, but quality can be lower. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | S21 Ultra has a ultrawide lens for capturing larger scenes and also doubles as a macro lens. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra supports higher video resolutions and frame rates, with advanced features like HDR and EIS making it suitable for professional video production. G10 is limited to basic video recording. |
| DxOMark Scores | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not tested | S21 Ultra has excellent scores, indicating superior photo and video quality. G10 is untested, but we can safely assume it performs worse. |
| Camera Features | Extensive features incl. 4K/8K, OIS | Basic features, no OIS | S21 Ultra's extensive features offer creative control and better image stabilization. G10's features are limited to basic photography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | S21 Ultra has support for 2 more OS updates, making it more future proof. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | 802.11n | S21 Ultra supports faster WiFi with better range and efficiency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | S21 Ultra has more modern Bluetooth tech and additional features. |
| GPS | L1+L5 | L1 | S21 Ultra provides more accurate GPS tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both offer dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 32/64GB | S21 Ultra offers significantly more storage space for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 3/4GB | S21 Ultra provides more RAM for smoother multitasking. G10 can struggle with having multiple apps open. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | 2 microphones | S21 Ultra provides much higher quality sound for media consumption and recording. G10 has basic microphone setup. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted is more ergonomic, basic fingerprint on S21 Ultra might be less reliable. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Comprehensive, incl. Barometer, Gyroscope | Basic, incl. Accelerometer | S21 Ultra has much better sensor suite, better for complex applications and augmented reality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, AMOLED technology, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness provides a far superior viewing experience, better for all use cases.
- Flagship Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers unmatched speed and performance for all types of tasks, including demanding gaming and multitasking.
- Professional-Grade Cameras: The S21 Ultra’s versatile camera system provides vastly superior image quality, video capabilities (including 8K), and advanced features for creative photography.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: The 25W fast charging, reverse, and wireless charging features provide convenience.
- More RAM and Storage: Higher RAM and storage options allow for better multitasking and storing more media.
- Advanced Features: Better WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and audio features provide a more complete package.
- Build Quality: S21 Ultra has a very durable screen and a premium build quality.
Nokia G10 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for prolonged use.
- Lower Price: More budget-friendly option for basic smartphone needs.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor offers ergonomic advantage.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Significantly more expensive, bulkier, and the basic fingerprint sensor might be less reliable than a side-mounted sensor.
- Nokia G10: Suffers from slow performance, basic camera capabilities, and a low-resolution display; lacks premium features and cutting-edge technology.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, photography enthusiasts, gamers, and anyone who values top-tier performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Demanding gaming with high frame rates and graphics.
- Media consumption (streaming high-resolution videos)
- Heavy multitasking with numerous apps.
- Users who want the best mobile experience.
- Price-to-Value: High price but offers best in class features, good value for users seeking flagship performance and capabilities.
Nokia G10:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users with basic needs, first time smartphone buyers, or people who want a simple and reliable phone for light tasks and communication.
- Use Cases:
- Basic communication (calls, texts, emails)
- Light social media browsing
- Simple apps and web browsing
- Users who need long battery life
- Price-to-Value: Very affordable, offering basic smartphone functionalities at a low price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? If your budget is very constrained, the G10 is the only option. If you can spend more the S21 Ultra will offer a much better experience.
- What are my primary use cases? If you want a phone for gaming, content creation, and serious photography, the S21 Ultra is the only option. For basic communication, the G10 is sufficient.
- How important are display quality and performance? If you value a high-resolution display and smooth performance, the S21 Ultra is the clear winner. If those are secondary, the G10 will work.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional photographer or videographer: Choose the S21 Ultra. Its advanced cameras and video features are designed for such users.
- Scenario 2: Budget-conscious user for basic tasks: Choose the G10. It fulfills basic needs at a low cost.
- Scenario 3: Mobile gamer or power user: Choose the S21 Ultra. Its flagship performance and high refresh rate screen provide the best gaming experience.
- Scenario 4: User who values a light phone and does not require flagship features: Choose the Nokia G10 for its light weight and basic feature set.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While it's significantly more expensive, the difference in the user experience between the two phones is massive. The vastly superior display, performance, and camera capabilities of the S21 Ultra mean that I can complete all my tasks much more smoothly, quickly, and with better quality.
Specifically:
- The display is a game-changer: The vibrant colors, high resolution, and 120Hz refresh rate make daily tasks more enjoyable.
- The performance is unmatched: I frequently use demanding apps, and the S21 Ultra's smooth performance is crucial for my productivity.
- The camera system is far more versatile: As someone who enjoys photography, the S21 Ultra’s capabilities are incredibly useful.
- The build quality feels premium: The robust construction and the quality materials make it a pleasure to use.
The Nokia G10 is adequate for basic use, but it is too underpowered for my needs. The price difference is justified by the overall experience and the much more advanced features provided by the S21 Ultra. For me, the S21 Ultra is a powerful tool that will significantly enhance my daily workflow and entertainment, making the investment worthwhile.
