Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. vivo X100 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | vivo X100 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-11-21 | vivo X100 Pro is significantly newer, likely with more modern features and software. |
| Dimensions | 165.1x75.6x8.9 mm | 164.1x75.3x8.9 mm | Both are very similar in size, so neither should feel significantly different in hand. |
| Weight | 227g | 221g | vivo X100 Pro is slightly lighter (6g), potentially more comfortable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.78" | Negligible difference; both provide immersive viewing experiences. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2800 | Samsung S21 Ultra has a sharper display; Text and images will appear crisper. |
| PPI | 515 | 452 | Samsung S21 Ultra's higher PPI results in greater detail and clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both have smooth scrolling and animations; suitable for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 3000 nits | vivo X100 Pro is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Dimensity 9300 (4 nm) | vivo X100 Pro's newer chip provides substantially faster performance, smoother operation and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,881,325 | vivo X100 Pro is significantly faster, excelling in demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | vivo X100 Pro's GPU offers better graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5400mAh | vivo X100 Pro's slightly larger battery might offer somewhat longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | vivo X100 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse Wireless | 50W Wireless Charging | vivo X100 Pro has faster wireless charging. Samsung offers reverse wireless charging |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 108MP f/1.8, 1/1.33" sensor | 50MP f/1.75, 1" sensor | vivo X100 Pro's larger sensor captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Camera(s) | 10.8MP f/2.4 + 10.8MP f/4.9 | 50MP f/2.5 Telephoto + Macro | Samsung offers 2 telephoto lenses while the vivo offers one telephoto+macro lens. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12.2MP f/2.2 | 50MP f/2.0 | vivo X100 Pro has a dedicated ultra-wide lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP f/2.2, 1/2.65" sensor | 32MP f/2.0, 1/2.8" sensor | Samsung S21 Ultra has higher resolution, while the vivo has a wider aperture. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | Both record high-quality video. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 115 | 150 | vivo X100 Pro offers a significant advantage in camera performance |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 135 | Not Available | Samsung provides an advantage in selfie quality |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | vivo X100 Pro has a much newer operating system version, providing more features and better security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | vivo X100 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standard offering faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.4 | vivo X100 Pro uses a newer Bluetooth version with potentially better energy efficiency. |
| GPS | Dual-band GPS | Dual-band GPS + NavIC | vivo X100 Pro supports more satellite systems for potentially better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM/eSIM | vivo X100 Pro offers eSIM support for easy carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | vivo X100 Pro offers a higher maximum storage option, more space for media. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 12/16 GB | Both offer ample RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage, user choice will depend on their storage requirements. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Noise cancellation | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res | Both offer high-quality audio, Samsung offers a noise cancellation microphone for better audio calls |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic | basic | Both use basic fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has superior screen protection; vivo's protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung has an additional barometer sensor. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Higher Display Resolution & PPI: Noticeably sharper display for text and images.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers more dedicated lenses for zoom (two telephoto lenses) and wide-angle shots, plus a dedicated macro lens, providing more flexibility.
- Wider Range of Bluetooth Profiles: Supports more Bluetooth profiles for diverse audio and connectivity options.
- Selfie Camera Quality: Higher overall DxOmark score and higher photo and video scores compared to the missing results for the vivo X100 Pro.
- Known Screen Protection: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for reliable damage protection.
- Additional Sensors: Barometer for environmental data.
vivo X100 Pro Advantages:
- Newer Technology: Launched significantly later, benefiting from newer hardware and software.
- Superior Performance: Much faster processor and GPU, leading to a smoother user experience.
- Significantly Brighter Display: Excellent outdoor visibility and HDR content consumption.
- Faster Charging: Considerably faster wired and wireless charging, minimizing downtime.
- Better Main Camera Sensor: Larger main camera sensor for improved low-light performance and image quality.
- Latest Connectivity Standards: Supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, offering better wireless performance.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Slightly larger battery for potentially better battery life.
- eSIM Support: Allows for digital SIM card switching and management.
- Larger Storage Capacity Option: Offers up to 1TB of storage for users with large media libraries.
- Better DxOMark Mobile Score: Superior photo and video quality.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra offers a more versatile camera system with more dedicated lenses for zoom, wide and macro photography, while the X100 Pro focuses on fewer, but higher quality sensors.
- The S21 Ultra has better-known screen protection, but the X100 Pro has a much better display in brightness, and superior performance.
- The S21 Ultra offers a more mature software system, but the X100 Pro comes with Android 14, leading to a more advanced experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a very sharp display with great color accuracy.
- Users who want a very versatile camera system with lots of zoom options
- Users who value a well-known screen protection technology
- Users who appreciate a mature and feature-rich software experience.
- Users who need a wide range of connectivity options including ANT+.
Use Cases for S21 Ultra:
- Professional photography and videography, requiring diverse shooting options.
- Users wanting an immersive display experience with clear and crisp details for document viewing, media consumption, and gaming.
- Those working on multiple Bluetooth devices requiring a wide range of profile support.
- Users who need a reliable device with additional sensors for environmental data.
vivo X100 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize top-tier performance and speed.
- Users who want excellent camera quality, especially in low-light conditions.
- Users who require exceptional display brightness for outdoor use.
- Users who value fast charging speeds and minimal downtime.
- Users who prefer the latest software and connectivity options.
Use Cases for X100 Pro:
- Mobile gamers and power users needing fast loading times and seamless multitasking.
- Frequent travelers or outdoor photographers who need to see the screen in direct sunlight.
- Users who always forget to charge their phones and appreciate rapid charging capabilities.
- Users who require a phone capable of taking high quality photos and videos in all conditions.
- Users who value latest tech and connectivity, including Wi-Fi 7.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The vivo X100 Pro, while possibly pricier, justifies its cost with significantly newer technology, superior performance, better display and more camera power.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is older, and now more affordable, but may lack some modern features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, general use)
- How important is display brightness to you? (e.g., frequent outdoor use)
- How important is charging speed? (e.g., do you need quick charging?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Mobile Photographers & Videographers If you need a very versatile camera system, and you value selfie camera quality and a sharper display, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a solid choice. However, if you are most concerned about low light performance and the best mobile camera quality, the vivo X100 Pro is the superior option.
- For Performance Users & Gamers If performance is a top priority, the vivo X100 Pro is the clear winner, offering a much faster processor, GPU, and display.
- For General Use and Media Consumption The vivo X100 Pro provides a more immersive experience with its brighter display and higher overall performance. The Samsung S21 is still great, but its age may make it less optimal than the X100 Pro.
- For Budget-Conscious Users The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra will now likely be more affordable but will be a worse overall experience compared to the vivo X100 Pro.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the vivo X100 Pro.
Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: The X100 Pro is much newer and offers modern tech.
- Superior Performance: The performance jump is significant. As a power user, this directly translates to a better experience for me.
- Better Camera Quality: DxOMark shows a big jump in Mobile score.
- Brighter Display: I often use my phone outdoors, so this is crucial.
- Faster Charging: The charging speeds are a huge convenience.
- Software: I prefer to have the newest Android version available for better security and features.
- Wi-Fi 7: Latest standards are an advantage for me.
While the Samsung S21 Ultra has its strengths (Sharper display, more versatile camera lenses and a more mature software), the overall package of the vivo X100 Pro makes it a much more compelling option for my needs. It simply offers a more cutting-edge experience.
