1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Realme 12+, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 163 × 75.5 × 7.9 mm | Realme 12+ is slightly smaller, thinner, and easier to handle. S21 Ultra is bulkier and may feel heavier in the hand. |
| Weight | 227g | 190g | Realme 12+ is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. The S21 Ultra is quite dense. |
| Build Material | Unknown | Unknown | Not specified, hard to compare build quality. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | S21 Ultra provides a slightly larger viewing area for multimedia and multitasking, making it better for users who prefer more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra's higher resolution results in a much sharper, more detailed image, ideal for viewing high-res content, text and sharper imagery.. |
| PPI | 515 | 395 | S21 Ultra's higher pixel density leads to noticeably crisper text and images. This is especially noticeable for reading and detailed content viewing. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Both offer similar viewing experience with respect to color and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, making them feel responsive and fluid for gaming and general use. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2000 nits | Realme 12+ is considerably brighter, offering superior outdoor visibility, particularly in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | S21 Ultra's chip is more powerful, resulting in slightly faster app loading and better performance in demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 601,000 | S21 Ultra has noticeably higher benchmark scores, indicating faster performance. In reality the difference is likely to be noticeable when multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Mali-G68 MC4 | S21 Ultra has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better gaming performance, higher frame rates and smoother graphics in intensive games. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery life for typical use, with slight variations depending on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Realme 12+ charges much faster, reducing waiting time for a full charge, and increasing the convenience of topping up. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | None | The S21 Ultra has wireless charging and the ability to act as a power bank. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme 12+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/2", 0.61 µm | S21 Ultra's main camera offers more detail and potentially better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22 µm | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto camera, allowing better portrait shots with background blur. |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70 µm | 16MP, f/2.45, Unknown | S21 Ultra captures more detailed selfies, performs better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22 µm | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for long-range shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2, Unknown | Realme 12+ captures ultrawide field of view for group photos and landscapes, a feature missing on the S21 Ultra |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown | Realme 12+ has a dedicated macro camera to capture detailed close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm | None | The S21 Ultra has a secondary camera that functions as a Wide Angle and Macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 Ultra can record higher resolution videos. Both offer good video quality with stabilization. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not available | S21 Ultra has better confirmed camera quality according to DxOMark. |
| Features | 8K Video, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Continuous shooting, RAW, Night Mode | Triple camera | The S21 Ultra has more advanced camera features overall. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a noticeably sharper and more detailed display.
- More Powerful Performance: A more powerful chipset and GPU lead to smoother multitasking and better gaming performance.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a more advanced camera system with additional telephoto lenses and higher quality.
- Wireless charging: The phone supports the wireless charging and reverse charging feature.
- Premium build quality: The build of the phone is expected to be more premium with Gorilla Glass protection.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: The phone includes additional environmental sensors such as a barometer for advanced features.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra is better for users who prioritize top-tier visual quality, heavy multitasking, advanced camera features, and those who want wireless charging capabilities.
Realme 12+ Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable for long-term use and easier to handle.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster charging times reduce downtime and improve convenience.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility and improved use in bright sunlight.
- Better wide angle and macro: Realme has a dedicated wide angle and macro lens
- Newer Software: Comes with a newer version of Android.
- 2 Microphones: Slightly better for audio quality.
- Price: Likely to be cheaper.
Practical Implications: The Realme 12+ is a more practical choice for users who prioritize portability, longer use, ease of handling, fast charging and better outdoor visibility, but still want a good camera.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Trades bulk and higher weight for a better display and advanced camera capabilities.
- Realme 12+: Trades top-tier performance for a lighter design and faster charging, while having a decent camera system and a better display for outdoor use.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, mobile photographers, gamers, and anyone who values the best possible screen quality. Users who like a better build quality.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, high-end gaming, watching high-resolution videos, video editing, and intensive multitasking.
- Price to Value: The S21 Ultra is likely more expensive, but worth the premium for users who need top-tier performance, camera capabilities and wireless charging.
Realme 12+:
- Ideal User: Everyday users, mobile videographers, those who need good outdoor visibility, and value faster charging and lightweight devices. Users who want good cameras and performance without breaking the bank.
- Use Cases: General web browsing, social media, watching videos, taking casual photos, and users who want a great display in direct sunlight.
- Price to Value: Likely a more budget-friendly option, offering excellent value for those who don't need the absolute best performance.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for potential buyers to consider:
- Do you prioritize camera quality and want wireless charging, or value speed, portability, and fast charging? If camera and screen quality are paramount, the S21 Ultra is the better choice. If portability, charging speed and display in sunlight are your priority, the Realme 12+ will be the better fit.
- Is display sharpness or outdoor visibility more important to you? If you prioritize a sharper and more detailed display for tasks like reading, the S21 Ultra offers superior quality. But if you need better display brightness for better outdoor visibility and bright sunlight, the Realme 12+ will be a better option.
- Do you need the advanced features of the S21 Ultra, like the barometer sensor, and better DxOMark scores or would you prefer a newer device? The S21 Ultra offers a more comprehensive sensor suite and better confirmed camera quality but the Realme 12+ will give you a newer device with the latest software.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A professional photographer or videographer who wants the best camera performance and features should choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- Scenario 2: A person who uses their phone for social media, browsing, videos and takes photos outdoors, and prefers a lighter device with fast charging should choose the Realme 12+.
- Scenario 3: Someone who is on a budget, but still wants a device with a good camera, bright screen and solid overall performance, should consider the Realme 12+.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the Realme 12+ offers compelling advantages in terms of design, weight, and charging speed, the S21 Ultra's superior display quality, more versatile camera system, and enhanced performance are more important to my priorities. I often view photos and videos, and often need to multitask. The wireless charging and the more comprehensive sensor suite are also features that are desirable. While the Realme 12+ has a better screen for outdoor use, and faster charging, they are less important to me than the advantages offered by the S21 Ultra. Although it is an older device, its strengths outweigh the disadvantages in my personal use case.
