1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 161.7 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm | S21 Ultra is larger and slightly thicker, may feel less comfortable for one-handed use. Realme 11 Pro is more compact. |
| Weight | 227g | 183g | Realme 11 Pro is significantly lighter making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Not Fully Specified | Not Fully Specified | Samsung has screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The build materials of both phones are not fully specified making further comparison challenging. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Both offer large screens, with a minimal 0.1" difference; virtually indistinguishable for most users. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2412 | S21 Ultra has a significantly sharper display, noticeably better for detailed content like high-res photos. |
| Pixel Density | 515 PPI | 394 PPI | S21 Ultra provides clearer text and finer image details; Realme 11 Pro is less sharp but still adequate for general use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED technology, producing excellent contrast and colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 950 nits | S21 Ultra screen is much more visible in bright sunlight, making it much better for outdoor use. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset is older but more powerful, providing a noticeable performance advantage for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 540,800 | S21 Ultra offers significantly faster app loading and smoother overall operation due to higher performance scores. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G68 MC4 | S21 Ultra has better graphics processing power, better for gaming with high-quality graphics. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 100MP, f/1.75, 1/1.8", 0.61µm | S21 Ultra captures more detailed images due to larger sensor size and higher resolution. Realme 11 Pro has a wider aperture for low-light photography. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | N/A | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto + portrait lens for better zoom and portraits. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.7µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.1", 1.0µm | S21 Ultra captures more detailed selfies with better dynamic range, wider aperture, and larger sensor. Realme 11 Pro has larger pixels. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | N/A | S21 Ultra offers an extra telephoto lens for better optical zoom capabilities. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Realme 11 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for extreme close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | N/A | S21 Ultra offers an ultra-wide lens with macro capabilities for expansive landscapes and close-ups |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | S21 Ultra provides superior video quality and features, suitable for professional video recording. |
| DXOMark Scores | Mobile: 115, Photo: 121, Video: 100. Selfie: 135 | Not available | S21 Ultra's camera performance has been professionally rated; no such data for the Realme 11 Pro. |
| Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Manual focus, Laser AF, RAW | UIS, UIS Max, Noise reduction, Dual camera, Ultra stable video | S21 Ultra provides more features for professional photography and video. Realme 11 Pro has extra features focused on image stabilization. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, providing similar daily usage. |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | Realme 11 Pro charges much faster, requiring less time plugged into the wall. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W, No charger in-box | None | S21 Ultra offers versatile charging options for convenient power sharing and device management. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and brightness provide a much sharper and more visible screen, especially in sunlight.
- More Powerful Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and better GPU offer noticeably better app performance and smoother gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Features like higher resolution, multiple telephoto lenses, and 8K video recording provide more versatility and quality. Also higher DXOMARK scores.
- Versatile Charging Options: Includes wireless and reverse wireless charging for more flexible power management.
- More sensors: Includes environmental sensors such as Compass and Barometer.
Realme 11 Pro Advantages
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry, especially for smaller hands.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging is significantly faster than the 25W on the S21 Ultra, reducing downtime.
- Newer Bluetooth: Uses the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard.
- Newer Android OS: Launches with a more recent Android version, potentially offering better support for future updates.
- More GPS systems: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Trade-offs
- S21 Ultra: Larger, heavier, and slower charging. Lacks charger in the box. Older operating system.
- Realme 11 Pro: Less powerful performance, inferior display, less versatile camera system. Lacks wireless charging features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-quality photos, zoom capabilities, and professional-grade video recording.
- Power Users and Gamers: Those who require top-tier performance for demanding tasks and graphics-intensive games.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who value a high-resolution, bright display for immersive media consumption and productivity.
- Users who like Wireless Charging: User who value the ability to charge the phone wirelessly or to use reverse wireless charging to charge other accessories.
Realme 11 Pro Ideal Users
- Everyday Users: Those who prioritize comfort, portability, and fast charging for daily use.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a good balance of features and performance at a more affordable price.
- Users that want the latest OS: Those who want the latest Android OS on release.
Specific Use Cases
- S21 Ultra: Professional photography/videography, high-end gaming, outdoor use in bright sunlight, multi-tasking.
- Realme 11 Pro: Daily communication, social media, casual gaming, consuming streaming content.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- How important is camera quality and versatility to you? If photography is a top priority, the S21 Ultra is superior; if not, the Realme 11 Pro is adequate for most casual needs.
- Do you prioritize smooth, powerful performance for gaming and other demanding apps or is battery life and charging speed more important? The S21 Ultra has an edge in performance, while the Realme 11 Pro excels in charging speed and weight.
- Do you need advanced features or would basic functionality suffice? The S21 Ultra offers a lot more advanced capabilities (e.g., wireless charging, better display) but the Realme 11 Pro is sufficient for typical users.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Pro Photographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its superior camera system, 8K video, and high-resolution display for editing.
- Scenario 2: Casual User: Choose the Realme 11 Pro for its lighter build, faster charging, and good enough camera quality for basic needs.
- Scenario 3: Outdoors Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G because of its brighter screen and higher water resistance.
- Scenario 4: Gamers: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for better graphics and smoother gameplay.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally select the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the Realme 11 Pro offers significant advantages in terms of charging speed and weight, the S21 Ultra excels in areas that are more critical to my personal needs.
Here is a breakdown of my reasoning:
- Display Quality: As someone who consumes a lot of media and often works on my phone, the significantly higher resolution and brightness of the S21 Ultra's display are crucial. This means a much more enjoyable and comfortable experience when watching videos, editing photos or reading text.
- Camera Performance: My primary use case is taking high quality photos and videos and the S21 Ultra's superior camera system, with its multiple lenses, 8K video capability and better overall quality, is non-negotiable. The additional features like optical zoom, RAW support, and the availability of DXOMARK scores further solidify this preference.
- Overall Performance: I frequently use demanding applications for productivity and sometimes gaming. The faster processor and graphics capability of the S21 Ultra would be invaluable in ensuring a smooth and responsive user experience.
- Additional Features: Wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging are features I would find useful in everyday usage.
- Sacrifices I'm willing to make: I am willing to accept the S21 Ultra's heavier build and slower charging speed in exchange for superior display, camera capabilities, and better performance.
While the Realme 11 Pro is a great phone that is easier to handle, charges faster and comes with a more recent OS, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G caters to my specific usage requirements and priorities, making it the more suitable device for me.
