Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. vivo V40
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 164.2 × 75 × 7.6 mm | The vivo V40 is slightly shorter and thinner, making it feel more streamlined and pocketable, while the S21 Ultra is a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 227g | 190g | The vivo V40 is significantly lighter, leading to a more comfortable experience for extended use and less strain on your wrist. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (screen), metal frame | Unknown (screen), metal frame | The S21 Ultra offers better scratch and drop resistance with its Gorilla Glass Victus screen. The vivo V40 screen protection is not specified. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Both have virtually identical screen sizes, offering a similarly immersive viewing experience. The 0.02" difference is negligible. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2800 | The S21 Ultra has a noticeably sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images, especially for detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 515 | 453 | The higher pixel density of the S21 Ultra will be apparent in improved clarity and detail in everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast typical of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both displays offer smooth scrolling and animations, leading to a fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 4500 nits | The vivo V40’s significantly higher peak brightness allows for much better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the vivo V40 offers better power efficiency and benchmark performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 855,000 | The vivo V40 shows better overall performance in benchmarks, potentially resulting in faster app launches and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Adreno 720 | The Adreno 720 GPU in vivo V40 may offer slight improvement in gaming performance compared to the Mali-G78. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | The S21 Ultra’s higher resolution allows for more detailed images and larger prints, while the vivo V40’s larger pixel size may improve low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | None | The S21 Ultra offers dedicated telephoto and portrait capabilities for better zoomed and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The vivo V40 has a wider aperture and slightly higher resolution selfie camera, which might result in brighter and more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | None | The S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for more flexible zoom options, while the vivo V40 lacks such lens |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.4 | The vivo V40 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes, a feature missing in the S21 Ultra. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | None | S21 Ultra features wide-angle shots with macro capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The S21 Ultra can record higher resolution video, offering more flexibility for professional video projects. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 115 (Overall) | Not Available | The S21 Ultra's camera performance has been tested by DXOMark, indicating a certain level of image and video quality. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 135 (Overall) | Not Available | The S21 Ultra's selfie camera performance has been tested by DXOMark, indicating a certain level of image and video quality. |
| Camera Features | More extensive with 8K, Optical zoom, Quad Camera | Lacks 8K, Optical zoom, Dual Camera | The S21 Ultra's camera has more capabilities, and it provides a richer suite of features for photography enthusiasts. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo V40 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | The larger battery capacity in the vivo V40 should provide longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | The vivo V40 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless charging, Reverse Wireless, Reverse Charging | None | The S21 Ultra offers more charging convenience with wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a crisper visual experience.
- More Versatile Camera System: Telephoto and macro lenses, and higher 8K video recording capability, provide more creative options.
- Wireless Charging: Offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, adding convenience.
- Higher RAM Options: Up to 16GB of RAM.
- Better Build Quality: Gorilla Glass Victus screen offers superior protection.
- DXOMark Scores: Proven camera performance with official benchmark scores.
- Advanced Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, and Noise cancellation for enhanced audio experience.
Practical Implications: The S21 Ultra excels for users who prioritize the highest level of visual fidelity, advanced photography options, and a premium user experience with more convenience features.
vivo V40 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner Design: More comfortable to hold and carry around.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Better visibility in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Quick charging will make topping up your battery faster.
- Better Battery Life: Larger battery will last longer, better for heavy users.
- Better Performance: Higher benchmark scores for everyday use.
- More Modern Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth version for better connectivity.
- Wide Angle Lens: Dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes.
- eSIM support: Dual SIM + eSIM support for more flexible connectivity.
Practical Implications: The vivo V40 is better suited for those who value portability, long battery life, outdoor visibility, and fast charging.
Trade-offs: The S21 Ultra sacrifices portability for a premium build and a more versatile camera system, while the vivo V40 sacrifices camera versatility for portability and battery efficiency. The vivo V40 offers better outdoor visibility while the S21 Ultra lacks it.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with high resolution, telephoto lenses, 8K video, and more control.
- Visual Content Consumers: Those who value a sharp, high-resolution display with a premium viewing experience.
- Power Users: Users who appreciate wireless charging and a robust build quality.
- Demanding Users: People needing powerful performance with 16 GB of RAM for multitasking.
Use Cases: Professional photography, detailed photo editing, high-fidelity video creation, immersive media consumption, multi-tasking.
Ideal User for vivo V40:
- Frequent Travelers: Users who prioritize a lightweight phone with a long-lasting battery, fast charging, and an expansive screen.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Those who need a phone with excellent visibility under bright sunlight.
- Everyday Users: People who value speed and responsiveness for day-to-day use and want to have a reliable battery.
- Budget Conscious Users: Users seeking a balance between performance and features at a potentially lower price point (speculation based on chipset).
Use Cases: Travel, outdoor photography in bright conditions, long commutes, everyday use with a focus on speed and battery.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The vivo V40 is likely to offer a better price-to-performance ratio, especially if you need a brighter screen, faster charging, and more battery, although pricing specifics were not provided and are speculative.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G may be more expensive, appealing to users seeking a premium camera and display experience and more advanced features like wireless charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera versatility and 8K video recording to you? (If extremely important, the S21 Ultra is the better choice)
- How much do you value portability, long battery life, and outdoor visibility? (If high, the vivo V40 may be more suitable)
- What is your budget and are you looking for a premium phone or a more budget-friendly one? (Consider the potential price difference between the two, factoring in current market conditions)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photographer: Choose the S21 Ultra for its higher resolution, telephoto lenses, 8K video, and advanced features.
- Scenario 2: Frequent Traveler: Choose the vivo V40 for its lightweight design, longer battery life, fast charging, and bright screen.
- Scenario 3: Casual User: Consider the vivo V40 for its balance of performance, battery, and portability. The S21 Ultra remains a good option for those wanting a premium experience, assuming price is not a major concern.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the vivo V40. My main priority is convenience, and the lighter, thinner design, combined with the brighter screen and faster charging, would significantly enhance my everyday user experience. While I do appreciate a good camera, the differences between the two are not significant enough to outweigh the benefits of the vivo V40 for my use case, particularly given the better battery life, newer Bluetooth and better benchmark results. I also value the inclusion of a wide-angle lens, as it provides different options than the standard lens. I'm happy to trade some of the S21 Ultra's camera versatility (telephoto and macro) for the benefits of the vivo V40.
