Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Nothing Phone (1)
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2022-07-16 | Nothing Phone (1) is newer by approximately 1.5 years. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm | S21 Ultra is taller and thicker, thus potentially feeling bulkier. The Nothing Phone (1) is slightly wider. |
| Weight | 227g | 193.5g | Nothing Phone (1) is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and prolonged holding. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.55" | S21 Ultra offers a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has a much sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 402 ppi | S21 Ultra's display looks noticeably clearer and more detailed due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Similar quality. Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1200 nits | S21 Ultra has better outdoor visibility, particularly in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset provides higher overall performance and handles demanding tasks better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 624,253 | S21 Ultra performs noticeably better in benchmarks, translating to smoother app performance and faster loading times. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Adreno 642L (Adreno 642L) | S21 Ultra generally offers better gaming performance due to a more powerful GPU. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 50MP | S21 Ultra captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/1.56" | S21 Ultra captures more light and potentially performs better in low-light scenarios. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80µm | 1.00µm | Nothing Phone 1 captures slightly more light per pixel. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Camera | 10.8MP | None | S21 Ultra offers more versatile zoom capabilities, useful for portrait shots and distant objects. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 16MP | S21 Ultra captures more detailed selfie photos. |
| Selfie Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.65" | 1/3.13" | S21 Ultra's larger sensor size might perform slightly better in low light. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 12.2MP | 50MP | Nothing phone 1 captures more detailed wide angle photos |
| Wide Angle Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/2.76" | S21 Ultra captures slightly more light for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP | None | S21 Ultra offers optical zoom, providing better image quality compared to digital zoom on other phones. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 Ultra captures higher resolution videos and offers more versatile video recording options. |
| DxoMark Mobile | 115 (Main) | N/A | The Samsung S21 Ultra has significantly higher scores on DxoMark (115) as compared to N/A for the Nothing phone, indicating significantly better photo and video quality |
| DxoMark Selfie | 135 | N/A | The Samsung S21 Ultra has significantly higher scores on DxoMark (135) as compared to N/A for the Nothing phone, indicating significantly better selfie camera performance |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | S21 Ultra generally offers longer battery life, especially with heavier use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Nothing Phone (1) charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 15W | Both offer convenient wireless charging. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 9W | 5W | S21 Ultra can charge other devices faster. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (1) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (upgradable to 15) | Both phones will be using Android 15 when available |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 8GB / 12GB | S21 Ultra can handle more apps running simultaneously, better for heavy multitaskers |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB | S21 Ultra offers more internal storage options, especially for users with large media libraries |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | S21 Ultra offers better scratch and drop resistance |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | S21 Ultra provides enhanced audio with more advanced features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (1) offers more accurate location tracking |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and brightness provide a sharper, more vivid viewing experience, especially in bright sunlight.
- Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers better performance in demanding apps and games.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a telephoto lens with optical zoom and an additional portrait lens, providing greater flexibility for photography. Supports 8K video recording. Also has better performance according to DxoMark tests.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher storage and RAM capacity enables you to store more data and run more apps at once, improving the performance for power users.
- Better Screen Protection: Offers better protection against scratches and drops.
- Enhanced Audio: Offers more advanced audio features.
Nothing Phone (1) Advantages:
- Newer Design: More modern design and a unique, eye-catching aesthetic.
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more comfortable for one-handed use.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging reduces downtime spent plugged in.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Main Camera Pixel Size: Captures slightly more light per pixel.
- Wide Angle Camera Resolution: Captures more detailed wide angle photos
- Lower Cost: Typically more affordable, representing better value for money
- More advanced OS: Ships with a newer operating system version
Trade-offs:
- Samsung S21 Ultra 5G: Heavier and bulkier, higher price.
- Nothing Phone (1): Lower display resolution, less powerful chipset, less versatile camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who prioritize performance, multitasking, and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who need a versatile camera system with zoom capabilities.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who value a larger, sharper display for watching videos and browsing content.
- Professional Users: Individuals who utilize their phone for work and require excellent performance
Use Cases:
- High-end gaming and graphic-intensive applications
- Professional photography and video recording
- Long hours of media consumption and multitasking
- Any tasks that require maximum processing power
Nothing Phone (1) Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Users looking for good value without sacrificing essential features.
- Design-Oriented Users: Those who appreciate a unique and stylish aesthetic.
- Everyday Users: Individuals who need a reliable smartphone for daily tasks, social media, and general use.
- People who like lighter phones: The phone is noticeably lighter, thus it would be preferable for this type of user.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication and social media browsing
- Casual gaming and multimedia playback
- Everyday photography and videography
- For people who don't want something extremely heavy, this is lighter than the other phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: Is price a major consideration, or do you prioritize top-of-the-line features regardless of cost?
- Performance vs. Portability: Do you value raw processing power and a large, high-resolution screen, or do you prefer a lighter and more comfortable design?
- Camera Needs: Do you need a versatile camera system with advanced zoom capabilities, or is a good main camera sufficient for your needs?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer/Professional Photographer - Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its superior performance, advanced camera system, larger, sharper screen, and better audio.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User / Everyday User - Choose the Nothing Phone (1) for its lighter design, faster charging, and more affordable price.
- Scenario 3: Design-Conscious User: The Nothing Phone (1) is definitely the pick for its unique design and is very aesthetically appealing.
- Scenario 4: User who enjoys consuming a lot of video content: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the pick here due to its high screen quality and high-resolution display.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would go with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the Nothing Phone (1) is a great phone for its price with its unique design and faster charging, the S21 Ultra simply offers a superior overall experience, particularly in the areas that matter most to me: performance, display quality and camera quality. The S21 Ultra has a significantly better display, which is extremely important for consuming multimedia content and browsing. The main reason for my pick is the camera; as I value a high quality camera on my phone, and the Samsung S21 Ultra seems like it is the better choice here according to all the specs, such as the higher main camera resolution, the telephoto lenses, and the superior performance on the DxoMark tests. Finally, the extra RAM and internal storage will enable me to run more apps at once and have more space for my files. Although it is heavier and bulkier, I am willing to make that trade-off for the superior overall experience.
