Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. ZTE Blade V60 Design
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2024-06-01 | ZTE Blade V60 Design is significantly newer |
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 164.2 × 75.3 × 8.6 mm | Samsung is slightly thicker (0.3mm), but both are similar in size. |
| Weight | 227g | 198g | ZTE is noticeably lighter, improving comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.6" | Samsung has a slightly larger screen. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1612 | Samsung's display is much sharper, with significantly more detail. |
| PPI | 515 | 267 | Samsung offers a crisper display with much higher pixel density. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung provides better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Samsung has slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Samsung's screen is significantly more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Samsung offers significantly faster app loading, better multitasking, and smoother gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 240,000 | Samsung is substantially faster overall for all tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Samsung's GPU provides far superior graphics processing power for demanding apps and games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 22.5W fast charging | Samsung charges slightly faster. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W, No charger in-box | Non-removable | Samsung offers convenient charging options, though no charger is included in box. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 108MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.8) | Samsung captures much more detailed images. |
| Telephoto + portrait | 10.8MP (f/2.4) | Not Available | Samsung has dedicated telephoto lens, absent on ZTE. |
| Selfie | 44MP (f/2.2) | 8MP | Samsung offers far superior quality for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP (f/4.9) | Not Available | Samsung provides additional zoom capabilities. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | Not Available | 2MP (f/2.4) | ZTE has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, absent on Samsung. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP (f/2.2) | Not Available | Samsung offers wide-angle and macro capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound | Up to 1080p@30fps | Samsung has superior video recording capabilities for professional-grade content creation. |
| DXOMARK Mobile | 115 (photo: 121, video: 100) | Not available | Samsung provides much higher image quality scores. |
| DXOMARK Selfie | 135 (photo: 133, video: 140) | Not available | Samsung provides far superior selfie quality scores. |
| Features | 4K/8K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, Laser AF, RAW, Night Mode | Digital Zoom, PDAF | Samsung offers a suite of premium camera features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 15) | Android 13 | ZTE has a more recent out-of-the-box Android OS. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax), MiMO | 802.11ac | Samsung offers faster WiFi speeds and better network performance in crowded environments. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Samsung offers better audio quality and connectivity with more devices. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Samsung provides superior GPS accuracy with more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both offer dual SIM capability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256 GB | Samsung has more storage options. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | 4/6 GB | Samsung offers significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Microphone | DTS/DTS X | Samsung provides richer, more immersive audio experience with better sound quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | ZTE's sensor is more modern and arguably more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | Samsung offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung offers a comprehensive sensor suite with added barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, high resolution, high refresh rate, and very high brightness, resulting in a sharper, more vibrant, and more visible display under all lighting conditions.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Faster processor, much higher benchmark scores for smoother multitasking and better gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: High-resolution main, telephoto, wide-angle, and selfie cameras with optical zoom, OIS, and advanced features for superior image and video quality.
- Better Audio Quality: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio for a superior audio experience.
- Better Connectivity: More modern WiFi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more stable connections, in addition to better GPS.
- Premium Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and more sensors (barometer).
- Higher RAM: Better multitasking and gaming due to the higher RAM options.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides enhanced protection.
ZTE Blade V60 Design Advantages:
- Newer Release Date: More recent hardware and software (out of the box Android 13).
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Potentially faster and more convenient for some users than an in-display sensor.
- Portrait mode depth sensor: Dedicated portrait sensor for depth effect.
- More affordable : Likely available for a lower price.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung: Higher price, slightly heavier, no in-box charger.
- ZTE: Much lower performance, lower display quality, inferior camera capabilities and older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who demand top performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality images and videos with advanced features.
- Media Consumers: Individuals who value excellent display and audio quality for multimedia consumption.
Professionals: Users who need reliable performance for work tasks.
Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography
- Mobile gaming at high settings
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps
- Watching high-resolution video content
- Usage in bright outdoor conditions
ZTE Blade V60 Design Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking an affordable smartphone for basic daily tasks.
- Casual Users: Individuals with modest smartphone needs such as social media, browsing, and light app usage.
Users Prioritizing Comfort: Users who prefer a lightweight device.
Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing
- Casual photography and video recording
- Simple mobile gaming
- Everyday communication
- Light web browsing
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung S21 Ultra has aged but is still likely available at a higher price. It provides premium features and performance, so its value is dependent on how much these features are desired by the user.
- The ZTE is budget-friendly and offers value for basic smartphone functionalities but with some performance and camera quality trade-offs.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Samsung S21 Ultra is a premium device and therefore will likely be more expensive. The ZTE is a budget-friendly option.
- How important is performance? For demanding tasks and gaming, the Samsung is far superior. If you are a casual user, the ZTE should perform well enough.
- How important is camera quality and features? For superior quality and flexibility, the Samsung is the clear choice. The ZTE is only appropriate for casual photography.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy user, values performance, and display quality: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its superior overall performance and screen.
- Scenario 2: Budget-conscious user looking for a basic smartphone: Choose the ZTE Blade V60 Design as it provides a lighter weight design with core smartphone functions at a lower cost.
- Scenario 3: User needs good camera capabilities: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for its superior camera system, even though it comes at a higher cost.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While it is older, its superior display, performance, camera, and overall premium features make it a much better device for my needs. The difference in performance and camera quality is too significant to ignore, and the higher price is justified if one values these factors. The weight difference is not a deal breaker, and I would prefer a more powerful and capable device over a lighter, more basic one. The only area where the ZTE wins is on price, but I would be willing to pay more for the huge step up in quality that the Samsung offers.
