1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | S21 Ultra is larger & bulkier, M4 Pro is more compact & pocketable. |
| Weight | 227g | 179.5g | S21 Ultra feels heavier in hand; M4 Pro is noticeably lighter for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.43" | S21 Ultra offers more screen real estate, better for media consumption & multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1080x2400 | S21 Ultra has much sharper visuals, text, and images will look crisper. |
| PPI | 515 | 409 | S21 Ultra has higher pixel density, leading to a finer, more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra provides smoother scrolling & animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra is significantly better in bright sunlight, screen is easily visible outdoors. The brightness of the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is not stated but it is implied that the S21 Ultra has significantly better outdoor visibility, if not, better than the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | S21 Ultra offers much faster performance for demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 438,700 | S21 Ultra has significantly higher benchmark score, indicating snappier overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MC2 | S21 Ultra's GPU is much more powerful, leading to smoother and higher-fidelity graphics in games. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, good for a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 33W fast charging, Li-Ion Polymer | M4 Pro charges faster. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W, No charger in-box | Non-removable | S21 Ultra has more flexible charging options, can charge other devices wirelessly and the ability to charge wirelessly itself, but requires the user to buy their own charger. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | S21 Ultra captures more detail and performs better in low-light situations. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | Not Available | S21 Ultra has a dedicated lens for zoomed-in portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06" | S21 Ultra captures higher detail with a wider aperture and larger sensor, suitable for better low light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" | Not Available | S21 Ultra has a dedicated zoom lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | M4 Pro captures ultrawide landscape shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | Not Available | S21 Ultra captures macro shots and ultrawide shots in one lens |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra offers superior video resolution for professional content creation, while the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro only has 1080p video capabilities |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Overall: 115, Photo: 121, Video: 100 | Not Tested | S21 Ultra's camera performance is well regarded according to independent testing. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Overall: 135, Photo: 133, Video: 140 | Not Tested | S21 Ultra's selfie camera performance is well regarded according to independent testing. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, Laser AF, RAW, Quadruple camera | Ultra stable video, Dual Camera | S21 Ultra has far more advanced camera features, offering greater versatility and better image stabilization with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, higher pixel density, brighter and smoother 120Hz refresh rate makes for a much more immersive viewing experience
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly more powerful processor and GPU provides a much more smoother experience and is great for gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: More versatile with multiple dedicated lenses, higher resolutions, and advanced features like OIS, Laser AF, and 8K video recording.
- Additional Battery Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging offers more flexibility.
- More Storage and Ram: Storage and RAM come in many more variations, going up to 512GB storage and 16GB ram.
- Superior screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus is more durable than the Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on the M4 Pro
- Superior Wifi and Bluetooth: Wifi 6 and bluetooth 5.2 provide faster wireless speeds than the standard counterparts found on the M4 Pro.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more pocketable for everyday carry.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging vs 25W of the S21 Ultra.
- Lower price: Significantly more affordable than the S21 Ultra, which is a premium flagship phone.
- Wide Angle Lens: Has an ultrawide camera for landscape shots, which the S21 Ultra does not have.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Arguably faster and more intuitive than the in-screen fingerprint sensor.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- S21 Ultra: Is heavier and more bulky, much more expensive.
- M4 Pro: Sacrifices camera quality, display, processing power for a more budget-friendly price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who need the most versatile and high-quality mobile camera system.
- Power Users: Users who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who enjoy watching videos, playing games, and need a sharp, vibrant display.
- Professionals: Those who need 8K video recording, a high-resolution screen, and advanced camera features, professionals will find great value in this device.
- Users who want a flagship phone: Users who want the latest features of a phone with little to no compromises, the S21 Ultra is a great fit.
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional photography and video recording on the go.
- Playing graphically intensive games at high settings.
- Multi-tasking with resource intensive apps.
- Enjoying HDR content with vibrant colors and sharp details.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Individuals looking for a good smartphone experience without breaking the bank.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phones for social media, browsing, and light gaming.
- Users Prioritizing Portability: People who prefer a lighter, more compact device.
- Students: Individuals who need a reliable phone with long battery life at a reasonable price.
Specific Use Cases:
- Social media browsing and content consumption.
- Everyday tasks such as emails, messaging, and web browsing.
- Playing casual games without demanding graphics.
- Capturing and sharing photos of everyday moments.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- S21 Ultra: Offers top-of-the-line features with high price tag
- M4 Pro: Provides good value for money for its target demographic but with compromised specs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera quality to me? (If you prioritize high quality and versatile cameras, the S21 Ultra is a better choice)
- What level of performance do I need? (If you need the most powerful processing, the S21 Ultra is the clear winner).
- What is my budget? (If you need an affordable device, the M4 Pro provides a good value)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Buff: You enjoy taking high quality pictures and videos with multiple cameras to suit many purposes, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is far superior and the best choice.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User on a Budget: If you need a decent phone with good battery life, are not overly reliant on camera features and just want a phone for basic tasks and light usage, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is a solid choice that provides good value.
- Scenario 3: Power User/Gamer: You need top performance for demanding tasks, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers the processing power and display to match.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. My main priorities are a high-quality camera, a premium display, and top-tier performance. I frequently use my phone for photography, media consumption, and occasional gaming, therefore, the S21 Ultra's superiority in these areas makes it worth the extra cost for me. Although it is larger and heavier, the advantages in display quality, camera versatility, and performance outweigh the disadvantages in my use case. I also value features like wireless charging and the superior build quality, these are all things I value in a phone.
