Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Z Flip5 offers a unique, compact foldable design. S21 Ultra is a traditional slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm | S21 Ultra is wider and thicker, making Z Flip5 more pocketable when folded. Both are same height. |
| Weight | 227g | 187g | Z Flip5 is lighter, enhancing comfort for extended use. S21 Ultra feels more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | Both offer similar large screen sizes, S21 Ultra is negligibly larger. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2640 | S21 Ultra has noticeably sharper visuals due to higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 515 | 425 | S21 Ultra displays text and images with greater clarity and detail. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unknown | S21 Ultra offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and better power efficiency, but we do not know Z Flip5's tech. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1750 nits | Z Flip5 is easier to view in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | Z Flip5 offers significantly faster performance and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,531,700 | Z Flip5 handles demanding apps and games more smoothly. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | Z Flip5 has better graphics processing capabilities for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8 | 12MP, f/1.8 | S21 Ultra captures higher resolution images with more detail, but Z Flip5 has larger pixels for better low-light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | None | S21 Ultra has dedicated telephoto camera for portrait and zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2 | 10MP, f/2.4 | S21 Ultra takes significantly higher-resolution selfies; wider aperture for better low-light performance in selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom. |
| Wide Angle lens | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | Z Flip5 has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for expansive shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | S21 Ultra has a dedicated lens for wide and macro photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K | Up to 4K | S21 Ultra captures higher resolution videos. Both have similar stabilization and slow-motion. |
| DXOMARK Mobile | 115 (Photo: 121, Video: 100) | 127 (Photo: 132, Video: 128) | Z Flip5 has a significantly better camera performance, especially in video recording. |
| DXOMARK Selfie | 135 (Photo: 133, Video: 140) | Not Tested | S21 Ultra scores great in selfie, but Z Flip5 has not been tested. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3700mAh | S21 Ultra is likely to offer significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both support 25W fast charging, time will vary depending on battery size. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W Wireless | 15W Fast Wireless | Both offer wireless charging, Z Flip5 has fast wireless charging. |
| Reverse Charging | 9W Reverse Wireless | 4.5W Reverse Wireless | S21 Ultra can reverse charge other devices faster, even if it has less features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 13 (up to 14) | Z Flip5 ships with a newer OS, but S21 Ultra can be updated further. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both phones support similar WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 LE | Z Flip5 has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | Dual band | Dual band | Z Flip5 has more satelite systems, it may provide more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Z Flip5 offers the flexibility of an eSIM, S21 Ultra has dual physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512 GB | Both offer ample storage, S21 Ultra offers a cheaper 128 GB option. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 8 GB | S21 Ultra excels in multitasking and RAM-intensive applications with 16GB option. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise Cancellation | Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra provides a better audio experience with Dolby Atmos and a dedicated noise cancellation microphone for clear calls. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic in-screen | Side-mounted | Z Flip5's side-mounted sensor is more convenient for quick unlocks. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a sharper, more detailed viewing experience.
- Better Camera Versatility: Features a telephoto lens, wide angle + macro, and significantly higher resolution main and selfie cameras. Also features more manual camera controls
- Larger Battery: Significantly higher battery capacity for extended usage without needing to recharge.
- More RAM: Available with up to 16GB of RAM, providing smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding applications.
Enhanced Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and a noise cancellation microphone for superior audio output and clearer calls.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra is ideal for users who prioritize visual quality, photography versatility, battery life, and audio capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 Advantages:
- Unique Foldable Design: Highly pocketable and fashionable form factor with a cover screen for quick interactions.
- Significantly Better Performance: A newer chipset with a 4nm process for much faster performance in all areas.
- Higher Display Brightness: Better outdoor visibility with 250 nits more brightness.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports Bluetooth 5.3 for more efficient and reliable connections.
- Improved Camera Performance: DXOMARK shows better photo and video scores.
eSIM Support: Allows for digital carrier switching without physical SIM cards.
Practical Implications: The Z Flip5 is tailored for users who prioritize portability, performance, style, and want to have a modern phone.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Bulkier and heavier compared to the Z Flip5. Older chipset and lower benchmark scores.
- Z Flip5: Smaller battery capacity resulting in shorter battery life. Less camera versatility. Fewer camera modes and less control.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users, photography enthusiasts, media consumers, and those who value long battery life.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Long days without needing to charge.
- Heavy multitasking and demanding gaming.
- Immersive media consumption.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for users seeking top-tier camera features, display quality, and battery capacity.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5:
- Ideal User: Style-conscious users, those who value portability, and anyone who wants a unique modern smartphone experience.
- Use Cases:
- Fashion-forward individuals who prioritize aesthetics and compactness.
- Users who appreciate one handed use, even while unfolded.
- Users looking for better performance for gaming.
- Users who want a compact phone that still provides flagship-like features.
- Price-to-Value: A higher price point for the innovative foldable form factor, better performance, and updated modern features.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider:
- What is your priority for phone size and design?
- If a compact, pocketable design is preferred, the Z Flip5 is a clear winner. If a more traditional large slab phone is fine, then the S21 Ultra is better.
- How important is camera versatility and performance?
- For comprehensive camera features (including more lens options and higher resolution capabilities), the S21 Ultra is the better choice. But for overall photo and especially video quality, the Z Flip 5 is superior.
- What are your needs regarding battery life, performance and budget?
- If battery life and large screen for media consumption are crucial, the S21 Ultra is a better option. For better performance and a newer phone, the Z Flip5 is recommended, but users will have to deal with a smaller battery and higher price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Professional Photographer: Choose the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its telephoto lens, wide + macro, higher resolution cameras, more manual camera controls, and video modes.
Scenario 2: On-the-Go User: The Galaxy Z Flip5 is the superior choice for its pocketable design, better performance and unique features.
Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Media Consumer: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a large screen, great audio, and battery, providing a better all round experience.
Personal Choice and Explanation:
If I had to choose, I would select the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5. While the S21 Ultra offers a better camera versatility, battery and display resolution, the Z Flip5's performance, modern features and, most importantly, its innovative foldable design makes it more compelling to me. I value the portability and unique functionality of the flip design, especially since I often use my phone one-handed. The significantly better performance provided by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the brighter screen, and the better camera performance is worth the trade-off in battery size and display sharpness for my daily usage patterns. The Z Flip5 feels like a more modern and exciting device, pushing the boundaries of smartphone design.
