1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 164.6 × 76.1 × 7.6 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller and wider, but noticeably thicker. C65 is slimmer, potentially more pocketable. |
| Weight | 227g | 185g | C65 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, reducing fatigue. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | S21 Ultra offers a slightly larger screen for a more immersive experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1604 | S21 Ultra's display is dramatically sharper, text and images will be significantly clearer. |
| PPI | 515 | 264 | S21 Ultra has a much higher pixel density, resulting in crisper, more detailed visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra’s AMOLED offers deeper blacks, superior contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the C65's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra's 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra display is significantly brighter, much better for outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. Realme C65 brightness is not specified. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | S21 Ultra’s chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 225,154 | S21 Ultra is significantly faster in real-world usage, handling demanding tasks much more smoothly. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G52 MC2 | S21 Ultra's GPU is much more powerful, providing significantly better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64 µm | S21 Ultra captures much more detail and performs better in low light due to its higher resolution and larger sensor. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22 µm | N/A | S21 Ultra has dedicated telephoto capabilities, allowing for optical zoom and portrait shots, features absent in the C65. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70 µm | 8MP, f/2.0, | S21 Ultra captures significantly more detailed selfies. C65 has a wider aperture which can provide better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22 µm | N/A | S21 Ultra offers an additional telephoto lens for greater zoom flexibility. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75 µm | C65 has a depth sensor to enhance portrait mode effects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40 µm | N/A | S21 Ultra offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more of the scene, also functions as a macro camera. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, with HDR, EIS, Stereo sound | 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra offers significantly higher video resolution and more advanced video stabilization features, resulting in much higher quality videos. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | N/A | S21 Ultra scores higher on DxOMark for mobile and selfie, this indicates better image quality according to this benchmark. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical Zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, Laser AF, RAW, Night Mode | Dual camera, digital stabilization | S21 Ultra offers significantly more features, resulting in a more versatile camera system. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity suggests comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 45W fast charging | C65 charges significantly faster, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging, Reverse wireless charging | None | S21 Ultra has added versatility with wireless charging and reverse charging, providing extra convenience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, AMOLED technology, and brightness, leading to a vastly superior visual experience, especially in bright conditions.
- Much Higher Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and significantly better gaming performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Far more versatile camera system with much higher resolution, multiple lenses (telephoto, wide-angle, macro), optical zoom, and higher video capabilities (8K recording).
- Premium Audio: Superior audio quality with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers.
- Wireless Charging: Offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- More advanced Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth version with more features supported.
- Additional Sensors: Barometer and Gyroscope.
- Higher RAM options: Comes with up to 16 GB or RAM.
Realme C65 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable to hold and carry, better for portability.
- Faster Charging: 45W charging is significantly faster than the S21 Ultra's 25W.
- Newer Android OS: Comes with Android 14 out of the box.
- Side-mounted fingerprint: Easier and more ergonomic to access.
- Cheaper: Likely a more affordable option.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G sacrifices portability and charging speed for a significantly superior display, performance, camera, and audio.
- The Realme C65 prioritizes affordability, portability, and faster charging, but has a significantly weaker display, performance, and camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, photography enthusiasts, mobile gamers, content creators, and anyone who values top-tier display quality.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, professional photography and videography, content consumption, demanding productivity tasks, and users needing a premium experience.
- Price-to-Value: High price, but offers premium features and performance to justify the cost for its target user base.
Realme C65:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious consumers, those prioritizing portability and faster charging.
- Use Cases: Basic daily tasks, social media browsing, casual gaming, media consumption with less critical viewing needs.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for those seeking a functional and affordable device without demanding high-end performance or features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra is a premium device, the C65 is budget friendly.
- How important are display quality and camera capabilities to you? The S21 Ultra is superior in both categories.
- Do you prioritize portability and charging speed, or power and top features? The C65 prioritizes portability and charging speed; the S21 Ultra is focused on providing power and a wide set of premium features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance & Media Creation - If you need the best possible performance for gaming, high-resolution video recording, or media editing, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Daily Use on a Budget - For those looking for a practical, daily device, the Realme C65 offers a good user experience at a much lower price point, while also offering faster charging and a lighter build.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Consumption & Visuals - If you care about visual quality for watching movies, tv shows, or playing games the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G will offer a superior visual experience.
What I Would Choose and Why
Given my preference for performance, camera quality, and overall premium experience, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While the Realme C65 is a decent budget-friendly option, the significant advantages of the S21 Ultra in display quality, processing power, camera versatility, audio, and extra features are crucial for my usage patterns.
I regularly engage in mobile gaming, watch high-definition content, and use my phone as a primary camera. The S21 Ultra's superior screen, powerful processor, and advanced camera system align with these needs. While the C65's lighter weight and faster charging are appealing, they don't outweigh the benefits of the S21 Ultra in areas that I prioritize most. The overall user experience of the S21 Ultra is also significantly enhanced by features such as wireless charging, reverse charging, and better audio.
Therefore, despite the higher price point, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers better value for my specific use case and preferences, while the C65 will be suitable for budget conscious users who don't have specific needs, or who are fine with trading off some features for price.
