1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme C67 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 165.7 × 76 × 7.9 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly thicker; Realme C67 is negligibly taller and wider, but has a slimmer profile. |
| Weight | 227g | 190g | Realme C67 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme C67 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.72" | Both are large screens, negligible difference in size. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra's higher resolution provides a noticeably sharper image, with finer details, which is especially noticeable when viewing text, images and videos with lots of detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 392 | S21 Ultra's higher pixel density results in sharper, clearer images and text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, while being more power efficient with dark themes. IPS LCD of the C67 will not have the same vibrancy. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 950 nits | S21 Ultra is much brighter and more legible in direct sunlight, enhancing outdoor visibility significantly. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme C67 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset offers much greater performance and efficiency for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 338,900 | S21 Ultra demonstrates a significantly higher performance in benchmarks, indicating smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MC2 | S21 Ultra's GPU is much more capable, offering better gaming performance, especially for graphically intensive titles. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme C67 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", Samsung S5KHM3, 0.80 µm | 108MP, f/1.75, 1/1.67", Samsung HM6, 0.64 µm | S21 Ultra has a larger sensor size, generally leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. Realme C67 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", Samsung S5K3J1, 1.22 µm | N/A | S21 Ultra provides dedicated telephoto capabilities for optical zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", Samsung S5KGH1, 0.70 µm | 8MP, f/2.0 | S21 Ultra has a significantly higher-resolution front camera, allowing for more detailed selfies. Realme C67 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", Samsung S5K3J1, 1.22 µm | N/A | S21 Ultra provides an additional telephoto zoom lens for more versatility. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme C67 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.40 µm | N/A | S21 Ultra has an ultrawide camera, also capable of macro shots with its lens design. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps with EIS, HDR, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra offers significantly higher video recording capabilities, including 8K resolution and higher framerate options, including 4k. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 115 (Photo 121, Video 100), Selfie: 135 (Photo 133, Video 140) | N/A | S21 Ultra has superior camera quality based on DxOMark scores. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Realme C67 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, so endurance is likely comparable. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Realme C67 will charge faster. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse Charging | Reverse Charging | S21 Ultra offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for added convenience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, and AMOLED technology resulting in a sharper, more vibrant display with better outdoor visibility.
- Higher Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU for smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming experience.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile camera system with multiple lenses, including telephoto and ultrawide, higher resolution for stills and video, superior video recording capabilities, and high DxOMark score, leading to better quality photographs and videos.
- Wireless Charging: Includes wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features.
- Better Connectivity: Includes Wifi 6, MIMO and better bluetooth.
- More Sensors: Includes additional sensors for a richer feature set including compass, barometer, hall and geomagnetic sensors.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res Audio and a noise-cancelling microphone.
Realme C67 Advantages
- Lighter Weight: Significantly lighter for more comfortable handling and extended use.
- Faster Charging: Supports faster charging speeds, reducing downtime.
- Macro Camera: Dedicated macro camera for close up photography.
- Newer OS: Ships with a newer version of Android, which may mean it has an additional year of software support.
- Potentially Lower Cost: As a mid-range device, it is likely to be more budget friendly.
Significant Trade-offs
- S21 Ultra sacrifices weight and charging speed for a significantly better display, camera, and performance.
- Realme C67 sacrifices camera quality, performance and overall display quality for a lower cost and lighter design.
- S21 Ultra lacks a macro lens
- Realme C67 lacks telephoto and ultrawide lenses.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User
- Power Users: Individuals who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photography and videography, with versatile zoom and advanced features.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching movies and videos on their devices and appreciate a high-resolution and vivid screen.
- Professionals: Individuals who need a reliable and high-performing device for work, including advanced camera features and strong connectivity.
Realme C67 Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a reliable smartphone that offers good value for money without the premium price tag.
- Everyday Users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for communication, social media, and casual browsing.
- Users who value lighter devices: Those looking for a lightweight device which is comfortable for prolonged use.
- Users who do not need a premium camera: Those who primarily use their phone camera for social media or taking snapshots.
Specific Use Cases
- S21 Ultra:
- Mobile Gaming: High performance for smooth gameplay, advanced graphics, and responsiveness.
- Professional Photography and Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos for content creation or documentation.
- Media Consumption: Watching movies and shows with vibrant colors and high detail, especially while outdoors.
- Realme C67:
- Daily Commute: Lightweight design and fast charging make it convenient for daily use.
- Social Media Browsing: Handling everyday social media use and casual picture taking.
- General Productivity: Suitable for general office tasks, email, and communication.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra, being a high-end phone, is likely to be significantly more expensive than the Realme C67.
- How important is camera quality? If high-quality photography and videography are a priority, the S21 Ultra is the better choice.
- Do you prioritize a superior display and performance over weight and charging speed? The S21 Ultra provides significant upgrades in these areas at the cost of weight and fast charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- If you need a top-tier camera, display and performance: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- If you prioritize a light device with good charging speeds and are on a budget: Choose the Realme C67.
- If you want the best experience possible for all areas regardless of budget: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While it's an older device, it offers a superior experience in nearly every aspect that matters to me. The significantly better display with its AMOLED technology and higher resolution is a major draw, especially for someone who watches videos and reads articles frequently. Additionally, I value the versatility of its multi-lens camera system, including the telephoto lens, and its video capabilities. The better performance, thanks to its more powerful chipset and GPU, also means that the phone will be smoother and more responsive in daily use and will handle more demanding applications with ease. Although it lacks the weight advantage and faster charging of the Realme C67, the premium features of the S21 Ultra justify its higher price point and slightly less convenient design aspects for me. The overall quality and features that come with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra make it the clear winner for my personal needs and usage.
