1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nokia G22 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-02-25 | The Nokia G22 is a newer phone by roughly two years, potentially offering newer software features and longer support. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no difference in form factor. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 165 × 76.2 × 8.5 mm | The S21 Ultra is slightly thicker but nearly the same dimensions overall. Differences are barely noticeable during daily use. |
| Weight | 227g | 196.2g | The Nokia G22 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding periods. The S21 Ultra may feel more substantial and premium. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nokia G22 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | The S21 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience for media and gaming, while the G22 is a bit more compact and pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | The S21 Ultra's higher resolution results in significantly sharper text and images, ideal for detailed content viewing. The G22 will have visibly less detail and might appear pixelated to some users. |
| PPI | 515 | 270 | The S21 Ultra has a much higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper display. The difference is significant and readily noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The S21 Ultra's AMOLED offers superior blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy, along with better power efficiency. The G22's IPS LCD will have less vibrant colors and poorer contrast in comparison. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The S21 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations due to its higher refresh rate, but the difference is not drastic. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | The S21 Ultra is exceptionally bright, making it far easier to use outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. The Nokia G22 likely has much lower brightness and will be difficult to use in bright conditions. Note: The value for Nokia is probably incorrect as 0 nits would make the screen unusable. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nokia G22 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | The S21 Ultra's Exynos 2100 is a much more powerful processor, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The Nokia G22 uses an entry level processor which is sufficient for basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 749,000 | 253,300 | The S21 Ultra significantly outperforms the G22 in benchmarks, indicating a substantial difference in real-world performance. The S21 Ultra will feel significantly faster and more responsive. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Mali-G57 MP1 (ARM Mali-G57) | The S21 Ultra’s GPU is much more powerful, leading to better graphics performance in games and graphically intensive apps. The Nokia G22 will struggle in demanding games. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nokia G22 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacities; Expect comparable battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 20W fast charging, Li-Ion | The S21 Ultra's faster charging allows for quicker top-ups. Li-Polymer batteries typically have better cycle life. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W, No charger in-box | In box charger 10W, Non-removable | S21 Ultra offers advanced charging options like wireless and reverse wireless charging, although there is no charger in the box. The Nokia G22 comes with a basic charger. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nokia G22 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | The S21 Ultra has a higher resolution sensor and larger sensor size which should capture more detail, wider dynamic range, and better low light performance. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" sensor | None | The S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto camera with optical zoom, allowing for high quality zoomed photos and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" sensor | 8MP, f/2.0 | The S21 Ultra has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera, likely capturing more detailed selfies. The Nokia has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" sensor | None | The S21 Ultra has an additional telephoto lens for long-range zoom capabilities. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Nokia G22 has a dedicated depth sensor for more sophisticated portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Nokia G22 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | None | The S21 Ultra has a wide angle camera for wider shots and can also be used for macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | The S21 Ultra offers much higher video recording quality, including 8K resolution, suitable for professional content creation. The Nokia G22 offers basic video capabilities. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 115 (Photo: 121, Video: 100) | N/A | The S21 Ultra's camera is objectively better than most smartphones, based on DxOMark testing. No information is available for the Nokia G22. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 135 (Photo: 133, Video: 140) | N/A | The S21 Ultra's selfie camera is exceptionally good based on DxOMark testing. No information is available for the Nokia G22. |
| Camera Features | 4K/8K video, Optical Zoom, Quadruple Camera, OIS, Laser AF, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Triple Camera, Front Flash | S21 Ultra has advanced features like optical zoom, optical stabilization and RAW capture giving more flexibility for photography. The Nokia has features that cater for more basic camera needs. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, AMOLED technology, and higher refresh rate offer a much better visual experience. The higher brightness makes it suitable for use in bright sunlight.
- Exceptional Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers much faster performance, better gaming capabilities and smoother multitasking.
- Advanced Camera System: Features multiple lenses, higher resolution sensors, and a range of advanced features like 8K video, optical zoom, and OIS, resulting in much higher quality photos and videos.
- Premium Features: Offers advanced charging options like wireless and reverse wireless charging. The device also has a comprehensive set of sensors.
- Premium Build: Boasts Gorilla Glass Victus, providing better durability for the screen.
- Better Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio support, with stereo speakers and a noise cancellation microphone.
- Faster Connectivity: Includes newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
Nokia G22 Advantages
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- Newer Device: Launched approximately two years after the S21 Ultra.
- In-box charger: Ships with a 10W charger
- Basic Features: Offers a more basic set of camera and functionality.
Significant Trade-Offs
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G trades a higher price and weight for its superior performance, display, camera, build and connectivity.
- The Nokia G22 offers affordability and a lighter design, but significantly compromises on performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize a top-tier display experience for media consumption, gaming, and general use.
- Photography enthusiasts and content creators who need a versatile and high-quality camera system.
- Power users who need a phone that can handle demanding tasks, such as video editing and gaming.
- Users who value premium features like advanced charging, high quality audio and more comprehensive connectivity.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming: Demanding games run smoothly and look stunning on the high resolution, high refresh rate AMOLED screen.
- Professional photography and videography: The camera system offers flexibility and quality for professional-grade content creation.
- Immersive media consumption: Enjoying movies and shows with vibrant colors, deep blacks and sharp detail.
- Heavy multitasking: Quickly switching between demanding applications without lag.
- Outdoor usage: The high brightness display makes it easy to use the phone in direct sunlight.
Nokia G22
Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users looking for an affordable and lightweight smartphone.
- Users with basic smartphone needs who prioritize battery life and a comfortable form factor.
- Users who don't need demanding performance and don't have demanding camera requirements.
- Users who appreciate newer devices and prefer the latest software.
Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing and social media usage.
- Day to day use where a lightweight phone with good battery is required.
- Casual photography: capturing everyday moments.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a high price-to-value ratio for users willing to pay for a top-tier mobile experience.
- The Nokia G22 offers good value for budget conscious consumers who do not require advanced features and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra is significantly more expensive than the G22.
- How important are display quality and performance? If these are high priorities, the S21 Ultra is a clear winner.
- What are your camera requirements? If you need a versatile and capable camera, the S21 Ultra is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast / Power User - Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Its superior camera system, display, and performance make it ideal for demanding tasks.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Basic User - Choose the Nokia G22. It offers a balance of basic features and affordability.
- Scenario 3: Value-Conscious User - Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you value a high quality display, top performance and a high quality camera system. The S21 Ultra offers much better value for the money when compared to the Nokia G22.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While it is an older device and likely costs more, the performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall feature set provide a vastly superior user experience. The S21 Ultra offers significantly better value for the money given the huge performance and feature differences. The Nokia G22 is a budget phone with significant tradeoffs and therefore, for me, I would opt for the S21 Ultra, despite it being an older model. The difference in overall user experience is so significant that I would happily trade the newer device for the vastly superior experience of the S21 Ultra.
