1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and Samsung Galaxy A04s, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 164.7 × 76.7 × 9.1 mm | S21 Ultra slightly taller and thinner, A04s slightly wider. Minimal difference in everyday usage. |
| Weight | 227g | 195g | A04s is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, especially one-handed operation. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra offers slightly more screen real estate, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | S21 Ultra has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text, images, and videos. Significantly superior viewing experience. |
| PPI | 515 | 270 | S21 Ultra's higher pixel density makes the display significantly clearer and more detailed, making it more enjoyable for everyday use and media consumption. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | S21 Ultra's AMOLED provides deeper blacks, richer colors, and better contrast, offering a superior viewing experience, especially for media. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra's 120Hz refresh rate results in smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra's higher brightness makes the screen clearly visible even in bright sunlight. A04s would be much harder to view under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 117,300 | S21 Ultra offers vastly superior performance for demanding tasks and resource-intensive games. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International (ARM Mali-G78 MC14) | Mali-G52 (ARM Mali-G52) | S21 Ultra's GPU is far more powerful, ensuring smoother graphics in games and better overall visual performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm, Samsung S5KHM3 | 50MP f/1.8 | S21 Ultra captures significantly more detail, better low-light performance and more flexibility for cropping. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm, Samsung S5K3J1 | N/A | S21 Ultra allows for optical zoom without losing quality and allows for portrait mode with more realistic background blur. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70µm, Samsung S5KGH1 | 5MP f/2.2 | S21 Ultra captures much higher quality selfies, with more detail and better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm, Samsung S5K3J1 | N/A | S21 Ultra has additional optical zoom capabilities, allowing for longer zoom distances with better image quality than digital zoom. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | A04s can capture depth data for portrait mode photos but this is likely to be poorer quality than the telephoto-based portrait on the S21 Ultra |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | A04s can capture close-up photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm, Sony IMX563 | N/A | S21 Ultra provides the ability to capture wider shots and close-up macro shots using the same lens for versatility. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound, various 1080/720p modes, slow motion up to 960 fps | 1080p@30fps, slow motion up to 34 fps | S21 Ultra can capture videos at much higher resolution with more advanced features such as HDR, EIS and slow motion. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 115 | N/A | S21 Ultra's camera performance is tested and reviewed by DxOMark. S21 Ultra has a clearly superior camera score. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 135 | N/A | S21 Ultra's front facing camera is clearly superior. |
| Camera Features | Extensive (8K, OIS, zoom, manual mode, etc.) | Basic (digital zoom, autofocus, etc.) | S21 Ultra offers much more versatility and control for serious photographers and videographers. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should provide similar battery life under average usage conditions. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | S21 Ultra charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Features | Reverse charging, wireless charging, no charger in-box | Non-removable | S21 Ultra can act as a power bank, allows for convenient wireless charging and the lack of in-box charger may be a con. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, pixel density, AMOLED technology, higher brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate offer a significantly better viewing experience.
- Exceptional Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset provides substantially better performance for all tasks, including gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Professional-Grade Camera: The versatile quad-camera system, with superior sensors, higher resolution, and advanced features, is capable of producing much higher quality photos and videos.
- Advanced Features: Offers wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, reverse charging, better audio quality, and a wide range of connectivity options.
- Software Updates: While not the newest OS it will receive more updates compared to the A04s.
Samsung Galaxy A04s Advantages:
- Lighter Build: Easier to handle and carry, especially for extended use.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient and modern.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12.
- Cheaper: This is a much cheaper phone, often appealing to users with a tight budget.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Much higher price, heavier, no expandable storage.
- A04s: Significantly inferior display quality, camera performance, and overall performance compared to the S21 Ultra.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G - Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who need top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with advanced features and excellent image quality.
- Media Consumers: Those who want the best possible display for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
- Professionals: Individuals who require reliable performance, advanced connectivity, and a comprehensive feature set.
Specific Use Cases for S21 Ultra 5G:
- High-end Gaming: Enjoying graphically intensive games with smooth frame rates and excellent visuals.
- Professional Photography & Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos for personal and commercial projects.
- Content Creation: Editing videos and photos with high performance for smooth workflows.
- Mobile Office: Multitasking, handling large files and complex tasks.
- Media Consumption: Watching high resolution movies, TV shows and content.
Samsung Galaxy A04s - Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Individuals who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks at a low price point.
- Light Users: People who primarily use their phone for basic communication, browsing, and social media.
- First-Time Smartphone Users: Individuals who are new to smartphones and don't need advanced features.
- Users who value portability: Those who prefer a lighter and easier to handle phone.
Specific Use Cases for A04s:
- Basic Communication: Making calls, sending texts, and using basic messaging apps.
- Social Media Browsing: Lightly using social media and websites.
- Basic Productivity: Simple tasks like email and light document editing.
- Occasional Photography: Taking casual photos and videos for personal use.
- Media Consumption: Low-resolution media consumption for casual viewing.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21 Ultra is a premium device with a high price tag, but the value it offers in performance, camera quality, and display is substantial for those who need it.
- The A04s is a budget-friendly device that provides basic functionality at an affordable price, making it appealing to users with limited budgets.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The S21 Ultra is a premium device, while the A04s is budget-friendly.
- What are your primary use cases? Are you a gamer, photographer, or general user?
- How important are display quality, camera performance, and overall performance? Do you value high-quality media and performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance & Quality - If you need the best possible performance, a top-tier camera, and a premium display and you are prepared to pay a premium for it, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Friendly Basic Use - If you need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks and your priority is price over performance the Samsung Galaxy A04s is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User - If you want a phone with good features without the extreme price tag of the S21 Ultra you may need to consider phones outside of this direct comparison.
Personal Choice
For me personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While I recognize that it's older and more expensive, the difference in overall user experience is just too substantial to ignore. The high-resolution AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, combined with the incredibly powerful processor and versatile camera system, makes it a far more enjoyable and capable device for all tasks. The battery life is comparable and while the A04s is lighter, I'm willing to sacrifice that for everything else that the S21 Ultra offers. Ultimately the vastly superior display and camera are the reasons that the S21 Ultra is the clear winner for me.
