1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 162.5 × 76.7 × 8.5 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, Poco F4 GT is wider; Minimal difference in overall hand feel. |
| Weight | 227g | 210g | Poco F4 GT is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use, especially for gaming. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.67" | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, which can be preferable for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra offers significantly sharper images and text, better for reading and detail-oriented tasks. |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 395 ppi | S21 Ultra's higher pixel density results in crisper, clearer visuals, more noticeable when viewing fine details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is drastically brighter, making it much easier to use outdoors in sunlight (Xiaomi Poco F4 GT brightness is not available). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 generally offers superior processing power and gaming performance compared to Exynos 2100. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,178,365 | Poco F4 GT scores significantly higher, indicating better overall performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 730 | Adreno 730 generally delivers better gaming performance than Mali-G78 MP14, more stable frame rates. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 64MP, f/1.73, 1/1.7" | S21 Ultra has higher resolution and a larger sensor, which could result in more detailed images, especially in good lighting. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | N/A | S21 Ultra offers dedicated zoom capabilities for better portrait and zoomed photos; Xiaomi Poco F4 GT lacks these. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2" | S21 Ultra has higher resolution and wider aperture, potentially capturing more detail and better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" | N/A | S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for higher quality zoom capabilities; Xiaomi Poco F4 GT lacks this. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | Poco F4 GT has a dedicated ultrawide lens for capturing wider scenes; S21 Ultra lacks this, but has a wide angle + macro option. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Poco F4 GT allows for close-up photography, while the S21 Ultra does not have a dedicated macro, but a wide angle + macro camera. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | N/A | S21 Ultra has a dedicated wide angle + macro lens; Xiaomi Poco F4 GT lacks this. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | S21 Ultra can record higher-resolution video, while both support 4K recording; Samsung offers more stabilization features. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 115 (overall) | N/A | The S21 Ultra is a well-tested camera phone; the Poco F4 GT does not have such a score. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 135 (overall) | N/A | The S21 Ultra has a highly rated selfie camera; the Poco F4 GT does not have such a score. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | S21 Ultra has a slightly larger battery, potentially providing slightly longer battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | Poco F4 GT charges much faster, reducing downtime waiting for the battery to refill, though this might degrade the battery faster over time. |
| Features | Wireless, Reverse charging | Non-removable | S21 Ultra offers more flexibility with wireless charging, reverse charging capabilities; Poco F4 GT only includes a non-removable battery. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | S21 Ultra is upgradable to Android 15 while Poco F4 GT is limited to Android 13, potentially limiting future features. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128, 256, or 512 GB | 128 or 256 GB | S21 Ultra has a 512GB storage option, allowing for storage of larger files and more apps; both have 128 or 256 GB storage options. |
| RAM | 12 or 16 GB | 8 or 12 GB | S21 Ultra has the option for more RAM, giving a more stable and faster performance, especially when multitasking; both offer 12GB ram options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, 3 microphones | Both offer good audio quality with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio. The S21 Ultra has a noise cancellation mic, whereas the Poco F4 GT has three microphones. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and brightness resulting in a sharper and more visible screen, especially in outdoor environments.
- Versatile Camera System: Multiple telephoto lenses, higher resolution main camera, and advanced video recording up to 8K.
- Premium Build & Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and a more polished overall experience.
- Software Updates: Has guaranteed updates to android 15
- Better selfie camera: Better quality photos in good and low lighting
- Tested camera: Has been thoroughly tested with DxOMark resulting in better overall performance.
Practical Implications for S21 Ultra 5G:
- Better for users who prioritize screen quality, photography, and premium features.
- Ideal for creative professionals who need high-resolution video or a more versatile camera system.
- Better for general use and for everyday media consumption due to its brighter screen.
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly better chipset and GPU resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: 120W fast charging drastically reduces charging times, great for heavy users on the go.
- Dedicated Gaming Features: Designed with gaming in mind, this phone offers a more competitive gaming experience.
- More advanced fingerprint sensor: Offers faster unlocking.
- Wider angle lens: Offers more creative photography.
Practical Implications for Poco F4 GT:
- Better for gamers and users who demand top-tier performance.
- Ideal for users who value charging speed and performance over camera capabilities.
- Better for competitive gaming.
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 Ultra 5G: Offers better overall screen and camera capabilities at the cost of raw performance and charging speed compared to the Poco F4 GT.
- Poco F4 GT: Prioritizes gaming performance and charging speed, sacrificing camera versatility, display resolution, brightness, and software updates.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want the best possible image quality and a versatile camera system.
- Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a high-resolution, bright display for viewing content.
- Power Users: Those who need a premium, feature-rich phone for productivity and everyday tasks.
- Users who value software updates: Those who prefer longer software support.
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography
- High-quality media consumption
- Demanding productivity tasks with multi-tasking capabilities
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco F4 GT:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who need the highest possible frame rates and performance.
- Heavy Users: Those who want the fastest possible charging times and smooth performance.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking flagship performance at a more competitive price point.
Specific Use Cases:
- Competitive mobile gaming
- Demanding tasks that require the fastest loading times and app switching.
- Users who heavily rely on their phone battery life and require fast charging.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is generally more expensive, reflecting its premium features and brand value.
- The Xiaomi Poco F4 GT offers flagship-level performance at a more affordable price, offering a better price-to-performance ratio for gamers.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, general use)
- How important is camera versatility and quality?
- Do you prioritize charging speed and raw performance over other features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For High-End Photography, Display, and General Use: If you prioritize camera quality, display quality, and a more polished experience, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better choice.
- For Gaming and Performance: If raw performance, fast charging, and price are your priorities, the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT is the more suitable option.
- For a balance of features: Neither of these phones offer a balance, as they are vastly different, with one being a premium all-rounder and the other a performance king. However, if I had to pick, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a better all-rounder.
My Choice
I would personally choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G despite its inferior raw performance compared to the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT. My reasons are as follows:
- Superior Display Experience: The higher resolution and significantly higher brightness of the S21 Ultra are more important to me for everyday use. I frequently use my phone outdoors, and the S21 Ultra's screen will be much more visible.
- Versatile and High-Quality Camera: While not a professional photographer, I value the ability to take good quality photos and videos, especially in different lighting conditions, as well as the zoom capabilities and 8K video. The multiple lenses make it more versatile in more situations.
- Premium Features and Software Support: While the Poco F4 GT is a more recent phone, the software support of the S21 Ultra appeals more to me as I like to have guaranteed updates. I also prefer the premium feel of the device and the additional features such as wireless and reverse wireless charging, which I like to use regularly.
- Balanced Overall Experience: Although the S21 Ultra isn't the performance champion, the Exynos 2100 still provides a smooth, lag free experience for daily use and light gaming. The camera is more versatile, and that's something that I care about more than raw gaming performance.
- Better suited for general purpose use: The S21 Ultra feels like a premium, top-end phone. It can do just about everything very well, whereas the Poco F4 GT feels purpose built for a specific user who focuses on gaming performance above everything else.
In summary, while the Poco F4 GT is excellent for mobile gaming, the S21 Ultra offers a more rounded experience with better camera, screen, and premium features, which align better with my priorities.
