1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 161.7 × 76.3 × 8.6 mm | S21 Ultra is taller and thicker, potentially feeling less ergonomic. Nothing Phone (2a) is slightly wider. |
| Weight | 227g | 190g | Nothing Phone (2a) is significantly lighter, leading to greater comfort during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen size; both feel similar in hand. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2412 | S21 Ultra has a sharper display; text and images will appear clearer with more detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 394 | S21 Ultra's higher pixel density translates to a noticeably sharper, more detailed image. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1300 nits | S21 Ultra will be more visible in direct sunlight due to higher peak brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm) | Different chipsets; Exynos 2100 is older but provides slightly more performance, while Dimensity 7200 Pro is newer and more power efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 688,952 | S21 Ultra demonstrates slightly better benchmark performance. Real-world differences will likely be subtle. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G610 MC4 | S21 Ultra has a more powerful GPU for graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" | S21 Ultra has a higher resolution sensor and slightly wider aperture for better detail and low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | N/A | S21 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto zoom for portrait photography, which Nothing Phone (2a) lacks |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.74" | S21 Ultra takes higher-resolution selfies with a slightly larger sensor, potentially capturing more details. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" | N/A | S21 Ultra has dedicated telephoto zoom capability that allows much higher magnification than digital zoom, while nothing phone (2a) does not have optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" | Nothing phone (2a) has a higher resolution for its wide-angle, but S21 Ultra has a larger sensor for better light gathering. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps | S21 Ultra allows higher resolution video recording and a higher fps at 4k resolution |
| DxoMark (Mobile) | 115 (Overall) | N/A | S21 Ultra has a tested camera and it demonstrates better photos and videos than most phones |
| DxoMark (Selfie) | 135 (Overall) | N/A | S21 Ultra has a tested selfie camera and it demonstrates better photos and videos than most phones |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, Optical Zoom | Dual Camera | S21 Ultra has more camera lenses and optical zoom for more shooting flexibility. Nothing Phone (2a) has a simpler dual-camera system. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity. |
| Charging | 25W | 45W | Nothing Phone (2a) charges faster than S21 Ultra. |
| Features | Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging | None | S21 Ultra offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, which Nothing Phone (2a) does not. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density lead to a noticeably sharper and more detailed visual experience.
- More Versatile Camera System: Multiple dedicated lenses offer greater flexibility, especially with telephoto zoom. Offers 8K recording capabilities.
- Wireless Charging: Includes wireless and reverse wireless charging, offering more convenience.
- Higher Benchmarks: Although its an older chipset, the phone offers slightly better benchmark performance.
- Better Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone.
- More RAM: Comes in 16GB variants, which will be optimal for heavy multitasking.
- More Internal Storage: Comes in a 512GB variant, which is useful for people who need to store large amounts of data on their phone.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior screen protection compared to Gorilla Glass 5
Nothing Phone (2a) Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Significantly lighter weight makes it more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.
- Faster Charging: 45W fast charging allows for quick battery top-ups.
- Newer Operating System: Ships with Android 14, meaning more potential OS upgrades
- Newer Bluetooth Version: The phone offers a newer bluetooth version.
- More Navigation Systems: Supports more navigation systems, which leads to better accuracy.
- Lower Price: The Nothing Phone (2a) is usually sold for a lower price than the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra trades a more bulky design for a more complete, premium experience with better display, camera and charging features.
- Nothing Phone (2a) offers a lighter, more modern experience but sacrifices camera versatility, display sharpness, and wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a versatile camera system with telephoto capabilities and 8K video recording.
- Power Users: Those who value top-tier performance, higher RAM, and more internal storage for demanding tasks.
Multimedia Consumers: Those who value a high-resolution, high-brightness display and good audio for an immersive experience.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, video editing, mobile gaming, media consumption.
Nothing Phone (2a) Ideal Users:
- Everyday Users: Those who want a reliable, comfortable phone with good performance for day-to-day tasks.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those who want a good price-to-value ratio without sacrificing essential features like fast charging.
Design-Oriented Users: Those who appreciate a unique, lightweight phone with a newer OS experience.
- Use Cases: Social media browsing, casual gaming, general productivity, fast charging on-the-go.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera versatility and quality? If photography is a high priority, the S21 Ultra is better.
- How much do you value screen sharpness and detail? The S21 Ultra has a much sharper, higher resolution display.
- Is fast charging or wireless charging more important to you? Nothing Phone (2a) provides much faster wired charging while the S21 Ultra has wireless charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Photography & Videography: Choose Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. The superior camera system and 8K video capabilities are ideal for content creators and photography enthusiasts.
- Scenario 2: Daily Usage and Comfort: Choose Nothing Phone (2a). The lighter design, fast charging, and newer operating system are more suited for everyday use and convenience.
- Scenario 3: Gaming and Heavy Multitasking: Choose Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. The more powerful chipset, high RAM and high display quality makes this phone slightly better for gaming and multitasking.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious: Choose Nothing Phone (2a). The lower price point while providing a good experience and fast charging is ideal for people with a tighter budget.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the Nothing Phone (2a) is a compelling device with its lightweight design and fast charging, the S21 Ultra offers a superior overall experience in areas that matter most to me: display quality, camera versatility, and overall performance. As a mobile photography enthusiast, having dedicated telephoto lenses, 8K video, and the option for optical zoom provides much more creative flexibility. The higher-resolution display, despite being on an older phone, also provides a much better experience in daily use. Although it may be a bit heavier and have slower charging speeds, the benefits that it provides are more important to me personally. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) is a very solid choice for people who want a lighter and more affordable phone.
