1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm | S21 Ultra slightly taller; both have similar width and thickness |
| Weight | 227g | 190g | Redmi Note 10 5G is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.5" | S21 Ultra has a larger screen for more immersive viewing |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2400 | S21 Ultra has much sharper and more detailed images |
| Pixel Density | 515 ppi | 405 ppi | S21 Ultra's display is noticeably sharper |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21 Ultra offers better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra much brighter and more readable in outdoor sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | S21 Ultra has significantly faster processing speeds |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 381,300 | S21 Ultra offers much faster app loading, better multitasking, smoother gaming |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MC2 | S21 Ultra has a more powerful GPU, better for graphics-intensive tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 48MP | S21 Ultra captures much more detailed images |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.79 | Redmi Note 10 5G has a negligibly wider aperture |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/2" | S21 Ultra's larger sensor captures more light, better low-light performance |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes (2 lenses, 10.8MP) | No | S21 Ultra has significantly more zoom capabilities |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 8MP | S21 Ultra captures significantly more detailed selfies |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Redmi Note 10 5G has slightly wider aperture for marginally better low-light selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes (12.2MP) | No | S21 Ultra offers ultra-wide shots |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes (2MP) | Redmi Note 10 5G allows close-up photos |
| Portrait Lens | No | Yes (2MP) | Redmi Note 10 5G offers dedicated depth information |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra has dramatically superior video quality |
| Video Stabilization | Yes (EIS, OIS) | No (EIS) | S21 Ultra has better stabilized videos and more versatile options |
| DxOMark Mobile | 115 (Overall) | N/A | S21 Ultra scores significantly better in mobile camera quality |
| DxOMark Selfie | 135 (Overall) | N/A | S21 Ultra scores significantly better in selfie camera quality |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer comparable battery life |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | S21 Ultra charges faster |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | No | S21 Ultra supports wireless charging |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 9W | No | S21 Ultra can charge other devices wirelessly |
| Charger in Box | No | Yes | S21 Ultra does not include charger |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both have same OS |
| Max OS Version | 15 | N/A | S21 Ultra will receive more updates |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | S21 Ultra supports faster Wi-Fi speeds and better network performance |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | S21 Ultra has newer Bluetooth with better efficiency and features |
| GPS | L1+L5, E1+E5a | L1, E1 | S21 Ultra offers more accurate GPS due to dual-band support |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 64/128/256GB | S21 Ultra offers more maximum storage option |
| RAM | 12/16GB | 4/6/8GB | S21 Ultra has significantly more RAM for multitasking and demanding apps |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio | S21 Ultra has better sound quality through speakers and headphones |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Redmi Note 10 5G has a more convenient fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | S21 Ultra has a more durable screen |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | S21 Ultra has more sensors, which is good for advanced features and gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness offers a significantly better viewing experience with vibrant colors, sharp images, and excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and higher RAM provide dramatically faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance.
- Much Better Camera System: The S21 Ultra boasts a vastly superior camera system with higher resolution sensors, multiple telephoto lenses, a wide-angle lens, and far greater video capabilities including 8K recording and enhanced stabilization.
- More Advanced Features: Better GPS, Audio, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Faster Charging: S21 Ultra charges faster and has wireless and reverse charging options.
- More Software Updates: Longer software support
- Better Build Quality: Superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and More Comfortable: The Redmi Note 10 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for longer periods.
- More Convenient Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally considered more convenient than the basic fingerprint sensor on the S21 Ultra.
- Dedicated Macro and Portrait Lenses: Provides the ability to take close-up macro shots and offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, which is not present on S21 Ultra.
- Included Charger: The Redmi Note 10 5G includes a charger in the box, unlike the S21 Ultra.
- Lower Price Point: This is not in specs but is implied.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra sacrifices some portability and convenience (weight, fingerprint sensor) for significantly superior display, performance, camera, and features. It also costs more.
- The Redmi Note 10 5G sacrifices display, performance, and camera quality for a lower price, a lighter build, and more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Power Users: Demands top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive applications.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Values high-quality photos and videos, versatile zoom capabilities, and advanced video features.
- Multimedia Consumers: Appreciates a large, high-resolution, bright display with vibrant colors for watching videos, browsing, and content consumption.
- Users Who Value Premium Features: Those who seek the most advanced technology and features available in a smartphone.
- Users who prefer a premium build quality.
Use Cases:
- Professional Photography/Videography: The S21 Ultra’s camera system excels in various conditions.
- High-Performance Mobile Gaming: The powerful chipset and GPU provide smooth gameplay.
- Content Creation and Consumption: Enjoying videos, movies, and other multimedia.
- Heavy Multitasking: Switching between multiple apps without slowdown.
- Outdoor use cases where brightness matters.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Prioritizes affordability while still getting a 5G smartphone.
- Casual Users: Focuses on basic smartphone usage (calls, texts, social media, light browsing)
- Users Who Value Portability and Convenience: Wants a lightweight device with a convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Users wanting good enough pictures and videos: A user who is happy with standard quality content creation.
- Users that don't require the latest premium features.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks and communications: Basic browsing, social media and staying connected with friends.
- Casual Photography: Capturing everyday moments and simple videos.
- Long usage periods: The light weight enables comfortable extended use.
- Users who want a phone with a charger: The charger is included in the box, unlike the S21 Ultra.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much am I willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Priority: Is performance, camera quality, and display more important, or is portability and convenience more crucial?
- Use Case: What will be my primary use cases? (e.g., gaming, photography, daily communication, casual browsing)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (High Performance & Premium Experience): If budget isn't a major concern, and you prioritize top-tier performance, an exceptional camera, and a superior display, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2 (Budget-Conscious & Everyday Use): If you're on a tighter budget and prioritize basic smartphone functionality, comfortable handling, and the inclusion of a charger, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G offers good value.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Focused with Budget): If photography is very important but the budget is tight, you should explore alternatives to both of these phones - the Redmi Note 10 5G is not a strong camera phone, and there are other mid-range offerings that provide better value in this area.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. My primary priorities when choosing a smartphone are a high-quality display, a capable camera, and strong overall performance. The S21 Ultra delivers significantly better results in all of these key areas. While the Redmi Note 10 5G has some benefits in terms of weight and fingerprint sensor placement, those advantages are not as important to me as the performance and camera capability provided by the S21 Ultra. Additionally, I am not too concerned about the lack of an included charger in the S21 box, and I prioritize software support and wireless/reverse charging. Although the S21 Ultra is more expensive, I would happily invest in it to get the best possible smartphone experience.
