1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 163.9 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | The S21 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, the Z50S Pro is slightly wider. Overall volume is larger on the S21 Ultra. |
| Weight | 227g | 228g | Virtually identical, both feel substantial in hand. |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus front, Unknown Back | Unknown front, Unknown back | The S21 Ultra has a more robust screen protection, the back is unknown on the ZTE. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Identical screen size for both, similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1260x2800 | The S21 Ultra has noticeably sharper text and images due to higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 515 | 452 | S21 Ultra screen is noticeably crisper; the Z50S Pro is still sharp but slightly less so. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both displays offer smooth scrolling and animation with a 120Hz refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1500 nits | Both screens are very bright and remain visible outdoors, even in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Z50S Pro has a newer, more powerful, and more efficient chipset, providing better performance and battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,579,720 | The Z50S Pro offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | The Adreno 740 in the Z50S Pro provides superior graphics performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Similar battery size means similar overall battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 80W | The Z50S Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Reverse charging, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W, Non-removable | Non-removable | The S21 Ultra has more versatile charging options, while the Z50S Pro prioritizes fast wired charging. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" sensor | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" sensor | The S21 Ultra captures more detail with higher resolution while the Z50S Pro has better low light capability due to larger pixel size, but also the aperture is wider on the Z50S Pro. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" sensor | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.00 µm pixel size | S21 Ultra's telephoto has slightly higher resolution. |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65" sensor | 16MP, f/2.5, 1/3.06" sensor | The S21 Ultra takes higher resolution selfies and has a slightly wider aperture for better low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65" sensor | None | S21 Ultra has an additional telephoto lens for enhanced zoom capability. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88" sensor | Z50S Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape and group photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | None | S21 Ultra has a macro for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@30fps | Both offer similar high-quality video recording; S21 Ultra has a more comprehensive set of frame rates and also supports HDR in all video modes. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Not Available | S21 Ultra camera has been tested, not available for the Z50S Pro. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Laser AF | Triple camera, Flicker sensor, Gimbal, Ultra stable video | S21 Ultra has a laser autofocus for faster focus, while Z50S Pro has Gimbal for better video stabilization. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a crisper viewing experience, beneficial for text and detailed images.
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens, a macro lens, a higher-resolution selfie camera, and laser autofocus, which are absent in the Z50S Pro.
- Versatile charging: Wireless, reverse, and reverse wireless charging are available.
- Better Audio Quality: Offers additional audio features such as Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, and noise cancellation microphone, which leads to better audio immersion and clearer calls.
- Established Brand: Benefits from Samsung's brand recognition, support, and ecosystem.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides enhanced protection against scratches and cracks.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 offers significantly better processing power and graphics performance for demanding games and heavy multitasking.
- Faster Charging: The 80W fast charging allows for much quicker battery replenishment.
- Better Low Light Photography: Has a wider aperture and bigger pixel size on the standard camera.
- Wide Angle Lens: Offers a dedicated wide-angle lens, useful for capturing landscape shots and group photos.
- Modern Connectivity: The Z50S Pro supports the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard and Bluetooth 5.3, providing faster and more stable wireless connections.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13.
- Larger Internal Storage: The top-tier model offers 1TB of storage.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Camera Trade-off: The S21 Ultra has a more versatile camera setup, but the Z50S Pro has a better wide angle and performs better in low light on the standard camera, even though it lacks the zoom capability.
- Performance vs Features: S21 Ultra offers more features, while Z50S Pro focuses on raw performance.
- Ecosystem: The S21 Ultra comes from an established brand, which can mean better software updates, customer service, and accessories while the Z50S Pro may not offer that.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal User: Photographers who need versatile camera lenses and prefer good image quality and detail across different focal lengths. Users who value display clarity, versatile charging options, and reliable brand support, but don't require the absolute highest performance.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, detailed photo editing, content creators, users who watch a lot of videos, and those who value a well-rounded, feature-rich experience.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers and power users who prioritize raw performance, smooth multitasking, and fast charging. Users who want a great wide-angle camera and a more modern software experience.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, heavy multitasking, video editing on the go, frequent travelers who need quick battery replenishment, users who value the performance/price ratio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is more important: a top-tier camera system or raw performance? (S21 Ultra excels at the first, Z50S Pro at the latter).
- How critical is fast charging vs wireless charging? (Z50S Pro has faster wired charging, S21 Ultra has more options)
- Which do you value most: Brand reliability, or a more modern operating system? (Samsung is more known and has greater support, while the Z50S Pro has the newer Android version out of the box).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G due to its versatile camera system, higher-resolution selfie camera, and additional telephoto capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Hardcore Gamer: Choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro because of its superior performance due to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 and 80W fast charging.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User with a Balance of Needs: The choice depends on if camera and brand is more valuable or if they prefer a smoother experience and modern connectivity (S21 Ultra and Z50S Pro respectively).
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. While the Samsung S21 Ultra has a good camera system, I prioritize performance and battery charging speed. The much more powerful processor and faster charging of the Z50S Pro is far more useful to me than the Samsung's camera versatility, especially considering the price difference between the phones. Also, the better connectivity is a plus and it has a more modern OS. I would miss the zoom capability, but the better low light performance of the main sensor and the inclusion of a wide angle lens is enough for my needs.
