1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo X100 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-11-21 | vivo X100 is significantly newer, likely having more updated tech and software. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 164.1 × 75.2 × 8.5 mm | vivo X100 is slightly smaller and thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 227g | 202g | vivo X100 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, less fatigue in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Negligible difference, both provide large viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2800 | S21 Ultra has a significantly sharper display with more detail, resulting in better visual clarity. |
| PPI | 515 | 452 | S21 Ultra offers a noticeably sharper image with higher pixel density, less pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks common with AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth scrolling and fluid animations experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 3000 nits | vivo X100 has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, very useful for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9300 (4 nm) | vivo X100’s newer chipset offers much better performance and efficiency, leading to faster apps and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,881,325 | vivo X100 demonstrates much higher performance, indicating a significantly faster user experience in all tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | vivo X100 has a more advanced GPU, better for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery life under comparable usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | vivo X100 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse charging, No charger in-box | Non-removable | S21 Ultra offers wireless and reverse charging; vivo X100 lacks these, but includes the charger in-box |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.57, 1/1.31", 1.2µm | S21 Ultra has higher MP, vivo has larger pixels for better low-light and wider aperture for better light capture. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | N/A | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens. |
| Selfie Lens | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.7µm | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | S21 Ultra has higher MP, vivo has wider aperture and larger pixels for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2", 0.7µm | vivo X100 has much higher resolution and wider aperture on its telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | vivo X100 has better ultrawide resolution. S21 Ultra has a wider angle lens with macro. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | Yes, Slow motion | S21 Ultra offers 8K recording while both have similar video capture features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 15 | Android 14 | vivo X100 has a more recent Android version out of the box, with ongoing updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | vivo X100 supports newer WiFi standard, potentially faster and more reliable. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.4 | vivo X100 has a newer Bluetooth version, potentially more efficient and better quality. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5),Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | vivo X100 has more GPS systems for more accurate location tracking, especially in urban areas. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 256GB/512GB/1024GB | vivo X100 provides higher storage options, better for heavy media consumers, no expandable storage on both. |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 12GB/16GB | Sufficient RAM for seamless multitasking on both devices. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Stereo | Both have great audio, with S21 Ultra offering noise cancellation for clearer audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic security with fingerprint sensors |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Motion, Environmental | Biometric, Proximity, Motion | S21 Ultra has environmental sensors and additional sensors for advanced functions compared to vivo X100. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution (1440x3200) and pixel density (515 PPI) for clearer images and text.
- Wireless Charging and Reverse Charging: Convenient options for charging other devices and avoiding cables.
- More Versatile Camera System: Dedicated Telephoto/Portrait lens and macro lens which the vivo lacks. More options for different photography needs, and 8k Video.
- Noise Cancellation Microphone: Enhanced audio quality during calls, making calls clearer.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides enhanced protection against scratches.
- More Sensor Variety: Barometer and additional sensors for more data analysis.
vivo X100 Advantages:
- Newer Chipset and Significantly Higher Performance: The Dimensity 9300 offers superior performance (1,881,325 AnTuTu score vs 749,000), which translates to faster apps and gaming.
- Much Brighter Display: 3000 nits vs 1500 nits provides much better outdoor visibility, significantly better for use in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 120W fast charging reduces charge time significantly, minimizing wait time.
- Newer Operating System: Comes with Android 14, which has new features and likely longer update lifespan.
- Newer WiFi and Bluetooth: WiFi 7 provides better wireless internet, and Bluetooth 5.4 for better connections to devices.
- Better Telephoto and Wide Angle Lens: Higher Resolution telephoto and wide angle lenses compared to Samsung.
- More Storage Options: 1024 GB option for those that need large storage space.
- More GPS Satellites: More accurate location tracking.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra offers a more versatile camera system, but the vivo X100 provides a newer and stronger chipset and brighter display.
- The S21 Ultra has wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and noise-canceling microphone, whereas the vivo has faster charging and better GPS.
- The S21 Ultra has better screen protection, but the vivo X100 is lighter and thinner.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is Ideal for:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who need a versatile camera system with excellent telephoto, portraits, and macro capabilities. Those that need 8k Video.
- Power Users: Users that use the wireless charging and reverse charging, or prefer the noise cancellation microphone.
- Users who are outdoors alot: Those that appreciate the superior screen protection.
Use Cases:
- Capturing high-quality photos with a range of zoom options.
- Making video calls and recording audio in noisy environments.
- Charging other devices on the go.
- Those that prefer a more refined and sharper display.
vivo X100 is Ideal for:
- Performance Seekers: Users who prioritize speed and smooth performance for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Outdoor Users: Users that need good visibility in bright sunlight.
- Heavy App Users: Users that want to open apps quickly and not have to wait, along with the latest software and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Storage Needs: For users that need up to 1024 GB of storage and do not want external storage.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games with smooth performance and no lag.
- Using the phone outdoors in bright sunlight without straining the eyes.
- Opening multiple apps without slowdown.
- Those that need accurate location tracking.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21 Ultra is older, and likely can be found at lower prices now, depending on region.
- The vivo X100 will be more expensive, given it is newer and has newer hardware components.
- Users need to determine what features and performance they need and value when deciding on a phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera versatility vs overall performance? (S21 Ultra for more camera options, vivo for higher performance).
- How important is charging speed vs wireless charging convenience? (vivo for fast charging, S21 Ultra for wireless charging).
- Do you need maximum screen brightness for outdoor visibility, or a sharper display? (vivo for brightness, S21 Ultra for sharpness).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You're a mobile photographer and need the most versatile camera setup.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its wide array of lenses, 8k recording, and detailed image output.
- Scenario 2: You prioritize performance, gaming, and battery charging speed.
- Recommendation: vivo X100, better CPU and GPU, faster charging.
- Scenario 3: You need a phone for outdoor use under sunlight.
- Recommendation: vivo X100 due to its much brighter screen and better outdoor visibility.
- Scenario 4: You need a phone with good call quality with noise cancellation.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G due to its noise cancellation microphone.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the vivo X100. While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has its strengths, such as the sharper display and the more versatile camera system, the advancements in performance, screen brightness, and charging speed of the vivo X100 make it the better overall option in 2024.
My reasoning is as follows:
- Performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 9300 chipset is a significant leap ahead of the Exynos 2100, and benchmarks support that fact. This translates to better app responsiveness, a smoother user interface, and superior gaming capabilities, which are very important to me.
- Display: The higher brightness of the vivo X100 is a huge plus for my use case, as I often use my phone outdoors and struggle with visibility in sunlight. While the resolution isn't as sharp as on the S21 Ultra, the brightness improvement is more noticeable in day-to-day use.
- Battery: The faster charging speed is a game-changer for me, as I often find myself needing to top up my phone quickly. I'm willing to trade wireless charging for charging up to 100% in just a few minutes.
- Connectivity and Software: The newer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and Android OS mean that the vivo will be better supported in the future with software and connection standards.
- Camera: While the S21 Ultra has a better macro, and Telephoto Portrait lens, the improved wide angle and telephoto lens of the vivo is a good trade off, along with larger aperture and pixels in low light. The loss of the Macro lens is disappointing, but the benefits outweigh that for my usage.
- Price: As the S21 Ultra is an older model, it may be found at a lower price, however, the improvements on the vivo are worth the price increase for my use case.
Ultimately, the vivo X100 offers a more compelling overall package given its much more powerful chipset, brighter display, faster charging, and more modern connectivity standards. While I may lose out on some versatility in the camera department, the performance and screen improvements would outweigh that for my needs.
