Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, focusing on their practical impact.
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Fold3 can transform into a tablet-like device, offering a larger screen but at the cost of increased bulk and weight when folded. The S21 Ultra is more pocketable. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 158.2 × 128.1 × 6.4 mm (Unfolded) | S21 Ultra is taller and thicker, Z Fold 3 is significantly wider when unfolded. Fold3 is more compact when folded, but considerably bulkier when unfolded. |
| Weight | 227g | 271g | The S21 Ultra is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for single-handed use and prolonged periods. The Fold3's weight can lead to fatigue. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 7.6" | The Z Fold3 offers a larger screen, better for multitasking and consuming media. The S21 Ultra is more manageable in one hand. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1768x2208 | S21 Ultra's higher resolution means sharper text and images on its screen. The Z Fold3 has a lower resolution spread across a larger area. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 374 ppi | The S21 Ultra's display appears significantly sharper and more detailed. The Z Fold3's display is still good, but the difference in sharpness is noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | The S21 Ultra's AMOLED technology provides superior blacks, contrast and color accuracy. Z Fold 3 has not specified display technology, assuming it is AMOLED based on the technology | |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth experience with fluid animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra has much higher brightness, making it clearly visible even in direct sunlight, which is a critical difference. Z Fold 3 brightness is unknown so it's hard to judge. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Intl. | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Snapdragon 888 benchmarks higher with better raw performance. Daily performance for most apps will be very similar, but the Fold 3 has a better GPU for high-performance tasks. |
| Antutu Score | 749,000 | 898,700 | The Z Fold3 shows a noticeably better performance in benchmarks which translates to snappier performance and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - Intl. | Adreno 660 | The Adreno 660 in the Z Fold3 typically has superior graphics processing capabilities for demanding games and graphics-intensive apps. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | S21 Ultra is likely to have longer battery life due to its larger capacity. The Z Fold 3's larger display and foldable mechanism can require more power. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both support 25W fast charging, allowing for relatively quick battery top-ups. Charging speeds are identical. |
| Features | Wireless charging 15W, reverse charging | Wireless charging 15W, bypass charging , reverse charging | Both offer convenient wireless charging and reverse charging for other devices. The Fold3's bypass charging is for battery conservation during extended use while plugged in. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" sensor | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" sensor | S21 Ultra captures much more detail, better for high resolution images. The Z Fold 3 has larger pixel sizes, better low-light and faster autofocus. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" sensor | N/A | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto + portrait lens, which the Z Fold 3 lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" sensor | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" sensor | S21 Ultra has higher resolution and a larger sensor, resulting in better selfie image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" sensor | 12MP, f/2.4, sensor size unavailable | Z Fold 3 captures more light in lowlight situations due to its wider aperture, but the sensor size is unknown. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06" sensor | The Z Fold 3 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, offering more versatility. The S21 Ultra doesn't have a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | N/A | The S21 Ultra can capture high quality macro shots with its wide angle+macro lens, which the Z Fold 3 lacks. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, comprehensive 4K and 1080p options | Up to 4K@60fps, comprehensive 1080p options | The S21 Ultra has higher video recording capabilities (8K) for professional content creation. Both have impressive video stabilization. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | Main: 115, Photo:121, Video: 100 | Main: 120, Photo: 129, Video: 105 | The Z Fold 3 has a slightly better overall Mobile camera score. However, the S21 Ultra excels at selfies |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | Main: 135, Photo: 133, Video: 140 | Main: 83, Photo: 79, Video: 89 | The S21 Ultra is a significantly better phone for selfies |
| Camera Features | 8K Video, Quad Camera, Continuous Autofocus | Triple camera, Laser AF, dual front camera, under display camera | The S21 Ultra has high video capture resolution and a dedicated Macro camera, the Fold 3 has more cameras, especially useful in different modes. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display Sharpness: Higher resolution and pixel density for a crisper viewing experience.
- Significantly Brighter Screen: Excellent visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Longer battery life for extended usage.
- Superior Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and better performance in video.
- Dedicated Telephoto + Portrait Lens: Enhanced portrait photography capabilities.
- Dedicated Macro Camera: Enhanced close-up photography capabilities.
- Significantly Better Selfie Performance: Higher DxOMark score, which means better selfie performance in pictures and videos.
- Hi-Res Audio & Noise Cancellation Microphone: Better quality audio with higher quality playback.
- Lighter and More Pocketable: More comfortable to hold and carry around.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Transforms into a tablet-like device for multitasking and media consumption.
- Larger Screen: More immersive experience for videos and gaming.
- Better Main Camera Performance: Higher DxOMark scores, which means better overall main camera performance, especially in photos and videos.
- Better Performance: Higher Antutu Benchmark score and a better GPU.
- Wide-Angle Lens: Greater versatility in photo composition.
- Bypass Charging: Battery conservation feature during gaming while plugged in.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient and faster unlock.
- eSIM Support: Provides an extra SIM option, allowing for more flexible use.
Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra: Lacks the foldable design, less versatile main camera system.
- Z Fold3: Lower pixel density, bulkier and heavier, less suitable for single-handed use and has less battery life. The Z Fold 3 has a significantly worse selfie camera in terms of resolution, sensor size and DxOMark score.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize excellent photo and video quality with a versatile camera system including macro and telephoto.
- Media Consumers: People who enjoy consuming high quality video content and want a sharp, bright, and detailed display.
- Single-Handed Users: Those who prefer a more compact phone that's easy to hold and operate with one hand.
- All-day Users: Users who need reliable battery life and want a phone with long lasting battery.
- Selfie takers: People who prefer high-quality selfies and video calls.
- Audio Enthusiasts: Users who value superior audio quality.
Use Cases:
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos in diverse settings, including professional and personal photography.
- Enjoying high-definition content with a sharp display, even in bright sunlight.
- Using the phone for extended periods without frequent recharging.
- Regular use for daily tasks, social media and streaming.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G Ideal Users:
- Multitaskers: Those who need to work on multiple apps simultaneously, the larger screen allows for a multi-screen experience.
- Media Creators: Those who need a large screen for video editing, content review and graphic design.
- Gamers: Those who need high performance for demanding games, and prefer a large display.
- Business Professionals: Users who need to access documents, emails, and video conference on the go.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who are interested in new cutting edge technology and are willing to pay a premium for it.
Use Cases:
- Working on multiple apps, documents, and spreadsheets simultaneously.
- Gaming with improved graphics performance and a larger screen.
- Viewing and editing media with greater detail and on a larger screen.
- Video conferencing and presentations.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions to help buyers decide between these two phones:
- Do you need a foldable device?
- If yes, the Z Fold3 is the obvious choice.
- If no, consider other priorities.
- How important is camera performance for you?
- If a great all-rounder camera is important with a dedicated macro, telephoto and superior selfie camera, choose S21 Ultra.
- If slightly better main camera performance is most important to you and less selfie performance is acceptable, choose the Z Fold 3.
- Which do you prefer: portability or larger screen?
- If portability and comfort are essential, pick the S21 Ultra.
- If a large screen is vital for media or multitasking despite weight and bulk, choose the Z Fold3.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
For the professional photographer or selfie enthusiast: The S21 Ultra is better due to the dedicated macro, telephoto, higher quality video features and better selfie camera.
For the mobile professional or business user: The Z Fold3 is better due to the larger screen for multitasking, e-sim support, multi-window functionality and productivity focus.
For the gamer: The Z Fold3 is the better choice due to better performance.
For the average user: The S21 Ultra is a more balanced all-rounder and a better pick for most users due to its brighter, sharper display, superior battery life, lighter weight, better selfie camera and lower price.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would opt for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Here's why:
- Balanced Performance: While the Z Fold3 has a slightly faster chipset, the S21 Ultra provides more than enough power for my daily use. The performance difference is not significant enough to justify the major compromises in other areas.
- Superior Display: The higher resolution, brighter screen on the S21 Ultra offers a noticeably better viewing experience especially when using the phone outdoors. The difference in clarity is a game changer.
- Better Camera Versatility: The S21 Ultra has a more versatile camera system with dedicated Telephoto and Macro lens, allowing for a range of photography styles. This is crucial for a user like myself who enjoys capturing different kinds of images. The selfie camera is also considerably superior on the S21 Ultra.
- Portability: The S21 Ultra is more comfortable to hold and carry around, especially for long periods of use and when I'm on the go. The heavier and bulkier Z Fold3 is not suitable for single handed use.
- Better Audio: The Hi-Res audio and noise cancellation microphone make the audio output superior to that of the Z Fold3, providing a more complete experience.
- Price to Value: The S21 Ultra will likely offer a better price to value, as it is an older model while still providing superior overall performance for my use case.
While the Z Fold3 has an innovative foldable design and is great for multitaskers, I value the S21 Ultra's superior display, better camera, better portability, and better battery life. The S21 Ultra is the overall better package for my needs.
