1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-02-22 | The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a much newer device, benefiting from newer technology and design philosophies. |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 161.4 x 75.3 x 9.2 mm | The S21 Ultra is slightly taller, while the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a bit thicker. Overall, both are large phones with similar width, and ergonomics is subjective |
| Weight | 227g | 229.5g | Virtually identical weight, both will feel substantial in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.73" | Negligible difference, both offer large screen real-estate for media consumption and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1440 x 3200 | Identical resolution for sharp visuals, no practical difference in clarity. |
| PPI | 515 | 522 | Extremely similar pixel density - both offer excellent clarity. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use AMOLED for vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 3000 nits | Xiaomi 14 Ultra is significantly brighter, leading to better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s newer chipset is much faster, resulting in smoother app performance and enhanced gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 2,100,000 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra delivers drastically superior performance in demanding tasks and overall usage. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s Adreno GPU provides significantly better graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer comparable battery capacity for all-day usage, though real-world endurance will vary. |
| Charging | 25W | 90W | Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers significantly faster charging, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | 80W | Xiaomi 14 Ultra has considerably faster wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Res | 108MP | 50MP | S21 Ultra has higher megapixel count, however the sensor size is smaller. Megapixels aren't the only factor for good picture quality |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.63 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a wider aperture (lower f-number) which allows more light, potentially better in low-light conditions. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1" | Xiaomi 14 Ultra has much larger sensor for enhanced low-light performance |
| Selfie Camera Res | 44MP | 32MP | S21 Ultra has higher megapixel count, which might only give marginal benefit. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra has wider aperture for improved low-light performance |
| Telephoto Lens Res | 10.8MP | 50MP | Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a significantly higher resolution telephoto lens for better zoom detail. |
| Telephoto Lens Aperture | f/4.9 | f/1.8 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra's telephoto lens has wider aperture for enhanced low-light performance and a shallower depth of field |
| Wide Angle Camera Res | 12.2MP | 50MP | Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a significantly higher resolution wide-angle lens, meaning more details in the photo |
| Wide Angle Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.8 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra's wide angle lens has wider aperture for enhanced low-light performance and a shallower depth of field |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer similar high-resolution recording capabilities but Xiaomi has higher fps recording in 4k with an excellent array of features in video department. |
| DXOMark Score | 115 (Mobile), 135 (Selfie) | 149 (Mobile) | Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a higher DXOMark score, indicating better overall camera performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 14 (up to 18) | Xiaomi 14 Ultra runs on a newer version of Android and has more guaranteed major OS updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra uses a more recent version, offering enhanced stability and efficiency. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers higher maximum storage capacity of 1024 GB. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 12/16 GB | Both offer ample RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, requiring users to choose the right storage option at purchase. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
Previous Flagship Features: The S21 Ultra still has a competitive set of features such as high-resolution cameras, large display and a large battery.
Established Software Ecosystem: Samsung's One UI is a mature and feature-rich Android skin, known for its stability and extensive customization options.
Practical Implications:
- Cost: The S21 Ultra will likely be available for significantly lower prices compared to the brand-new Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
- Familiarity: If you prefer the Samsung ecosystem and One UI, the S21 Ultra will provide a more seamless transition.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Adreno 750 combination offers much faster processing speeds and better graphics rendering making it better for gaming and intensive tasks.
- Much Brighter Display: 3000 nits brightness improves visibility, making it much better for outdoor use in bright environments.
- Faster Charging: 90W wired and 80W wireless charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Advanced Camera System: Improved sensors, wider apertures, and higher megapixel counts across multiple lenses translate to superior image quality, especially in low light, along with a better score on DXOMark tests.
- Newer Software: Android 14 with updates up to version 18 provides access to the latest features and security updates for a longer period.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 offer faster and more reliable wireless connectivity.
- More Storage: Offers up to 1TB of storage space.
Practical Implications:
- Future-Proofing: The newer chipset, connectivity options, and software updates make the Xiaomi 14 Ultra more future-proof.
- Superior Media Consumption: The brighter display, faster performance, and better camera make for a much better media experience.
- Faster Charging: The dramatically faster charging allows for faster top-ups, which will be very convenient.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Price: The Xiaomi 14 Ultra will be much more expensive, being a more recent flagship.
- Ecosystem Preference: Users heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem might find it less convenient to switch to a Xiaomi phone.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Users on a budget who still want a high quality phone.
- Users who prefer Samsung's One UI and ecosystem.
- Users who value a strong, all-around camera system.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks, social media, and browsing.
- Good for users who need a dependable device with all-day battery life.
- Users who want a very good camera without having to pay a premium for the very best.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Users who want the best performance and camera tech available.
- Power users who need fast charging and the latest technology.
- Users who require top-tier performance for gaming or other intensive tasks.
Use Cases:
- Professional photographers and videographers.
- Mobile gamers who want the smoothest experience.
- Users who often need to use their phone in direct sunlight.
- Users who prioritize future-proofing their device.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a very good performance at a lower price due to its age. It is a good choice if you value a decent experience without spending too much.
- The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is more expensive, but justifies its price with significantly better performance, a dramatically superior camera system, a much brighter display, and better connectivity, making it the better value for power users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize top-tier performance for gaming and other intensive tasks, or is good enough adequate?
- Camera Requirements: How important is having the best camera performance, particularly in low light conditions?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious Buyer: If budget is the primary concern, and you're happy with a still very good performance, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a great choice as its price has lowered since it's release.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Media Enthusiast: If you want the absolute best performance, media consumption, gaming capabilities and camera performance, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is a superior choice and justifies its higher price.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focused User: If you need a phone that delivers the best camera experience in every situation, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the phone that should be chosen.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: As a tech enthusiast, I value having the latest features and technology, and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra offers a much newer chipset, display technology, and connectivity options. This means it will stay relevant for longer and will likely have better long-term support.
- Superior Performance: The massive difference in the benchmark scores is a clear indication that the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has superior performance. I tend to use my phone for demanding tasks, and the smoother experience would make a noticeable impact on daily use.
- Camera: The camera system is a significant upgrade, with better low-light performance due to its bigger sensor and wider apertures, something I value a lot. The much better DxOMark scores are also a strong indicator that the image quality is vastly superior.
- Display: The brighter display would be a very beneficial upgrade for my outdoor usage.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is still a very good phone, the advantages offered by the Xiaomi 14 Ultra make it a compelling choice for those who don't have any budget concerns and value having the best possible performance and technology. The higher price tag is easily justified by the vast improvements across the board.
