1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 162.3 × 78.6 × 9.1 mm | S21 Ultra is taller but narrower, M35 is shorter and wider. Both have similar thickness. M35 may feel a bit bulkier due to the width. |
| Weight | 227g | 222g | S21 Ultra is slightly heavier (5g), but likely unnoticeable during normal use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | S21 Ultra has slightly more screen real estate, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2340 | S21 Ultra has a sharper display, text and images will appear clearer. |
| PPI | 515 | 390 | S21 Ultra offers much higher pixel density, leading to sharper visuals and better clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but the S21 Ultra has a better resolution. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra has superior outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. M35 brightness data missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | S21 Ultra's chipset is slightly faster for demanding tasks, M35 is more energy efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 578,500 | S21 Ultra has noticeably higher performance in benchmarks, will feel snappier overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G68 MP5 | S21 Ultra has a more powerful GPU for better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 1.00µm | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, but M35 has larger pixels for better low light. S21 Ultra's larger sensor captures more light. |
| Telephoto (x2) | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | N/A | S21 Ultra offers an additional zoom range. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | S21 Ultra offers higher resolution selfies, M35's larger pixels may capture better light |
| Telephoto (x1) | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | N/A | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto for long-range zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | M35 captures wider scenes. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | M35 can capture very close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | N/A | S21 Ultra can take ultrawide shots with a macro focus, useful for versatile shooting. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21 Ultra offers 8K resolution, better for video editing and future-proofing. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 115 overall, 121 photo, 100 video | N/A | S21 Ultra has a reputable and tested mobile camera score. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 135 overall, 133 photo, 140 video | N/A | S21 Ultra has a reputable and tested selfie camera score. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | M35 has a larger battery, will likely offer much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 25W fast charging | Both support 25W fast charging, charging speeds will be similar |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse charging | None | S21 Ultra has more wireless charging options. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a much sharper and clearer viewing experience. Significantly brighter display improves outdoor visibility.
- Better Performance: The Exynos 2100 offers better overall performance than the Exynos 1380, particularly for demanding tasks and gaming.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers additional telephoto lenses, an ultrawide + macro lens, and 8K video recording, plus much higher DxOMark scores indicating better overall photo and video quality.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: Adds convenience for charging and sharing power with other devices.
- Higher RAM options: Up to 16GB of RAM, leading to smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding applications.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 6000mAh battery should offer significantly longer battery life, better for users who need all-day power.
- Newer Operating System: Ships with Android 14, will likely receive longer software support.
- Wider and Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated wide angle and macro lens for expanded creative options.
- Newer Bluetooth: Features the latest Bluetooth 5.3, which offers better efficiency and features than Bluetooth 5.2.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient and reliable than basic fingerprint sensor used in S21 Ultra.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Sacrifices battery life and may not be as future-proof in terms of software updates compared to M35.
- M35: Sacrifices high-end performance, display quality, and advanced camera features for battery life and a more modern OS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: People who require top-tier performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and professional photo/video editing.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera versatility, high-quality zoom capabilities, and 8K video.
Media Consumption Lovers: Those who enjoy high-resolution content and need a bright screen for outdoor use.
Specific Use Cases: Mobile photography, 8K video creation, high-end mobile gaming, demanding app multitasking, outdoor use in bright light.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Ideal Users:
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who need all-day battery life and want to avoid frequent charging.
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Those who want good everyday performance and a modern OS at a lower price point.
Casual Photographers: Users who need basic camera functionalities and versatile shooting modes such as wide-angle and macro.
Specific Use Cases: Long days away from a charger, casual social media, web browsing, basic photography, standard mobile gaming.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- S21 Ultra: Higher initial cost but offers premium features and performance. Likely to have depreciated now as it's an older model, but still offers high performance for it's price.
- M35: More affordable, a good choice for users who want excellent battery life and a modern operating system with good value.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What's more important: top-tier performance and camera versatility, or long battery life and modern OS?
- Do you need the best possible display resolution and brightness for outdoor use, or is a standard display acceptable?
- Is wireless charging a must-have feature, or can you manage without it?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you frequently take photos or videos for social media, play games, or need a lot of screen brightness for working outside the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is best.
- Scenario 2: If you primarily use your phone for communication, casual browsing, and need battery life that will comfortably last the entire day, the Samsung Galaxy M35 is best.
- Scenario 3: If price is the main issue, the Samsung Galaxy M35 is the more budget-friendly device with a modern OS, though if the S21 Ultra is discounted, that could change.
What I would Choose
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Reasoning:
Despite being an older model, the S21 Ultra has advantages in several areas that I value more. The biggest difference is the display; the higher resolution and brightness will greatly impact my user experience, particularly since I often consume video and media, read a lot of text, and occasionally work in bright environments. I also appreciate the superior camera system with the telephoto lenses, more complex macro options, and the flexibility of 8K video; even if I don't use these all the time, the quality difference will be noticeable. Finally, even with the smaller battery, the power and versatility of the S21 Ultra will make it more enjoyable to use for me, and it fits my needs far better. For most users, this would be the better option.
While the larger battery and newer operating system of the M35 are appealing, the core advantages of the S21 Ultra—specifically the display and camera quality—are more crucial for my daily usage. If the primary focus were battery and budget, the M35 would be a more logical choice but the S21 Ultra will perform better for my use cases and I can manage the lower battery.
