Realme X9 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing value, the Realme X9 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 870 provides excellent performance for daily tasks and gaming, coupled with incredibly fast 65W charging. While the S21 Ultra boasts a superior display and camera system, the price difference makes the X9 Pro a more sensible choice for most.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme X9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - SM-G998U1 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-G998U1 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-G998B | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, January 14 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, January 29 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.9 x 72.5 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.85 x 0.31 in) | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 185 g (6.49 oz) | 227 g (Sub6), 229 g (mmWave) (8.01 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 112.1 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA/China |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - USA/China |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660 - USA/China |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128/256/512GB, 3/8/12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 72mm (telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 240mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS, HDR | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.7µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| - | Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 65W wired 5W reverse wired | 25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue; other colours | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, Phantom Brown, Navy |
| Models | - | SM-G998B, SM-G998B/DS, SM-G998U, SM-G998U1, SM-G998W, SM-G998N, SM-G9980 |
| Price | - | $ 240.01 / C$ 353.20 / £ 202.99 / € 264.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 128GB 12GB RAM | - | $ 384.99 |
| 256GB 12GB RAM | - | $ 998.00 |
| 512GB 12GB RAM | - | $ 1,179.99 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 459.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 114h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.5 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 657150 (v8) GeekBench: 3518 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme X9 Pro
- Significantly faster 65W charging
- Excellent performance for the price with Snapdragon 870
- More affordable price point
- Likely inferior display quality compared to S21 Ultra
- Camera system likely less versatile and lower quality
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Superior display brightness and quality
- More versatile and capable camera system
- Potentially better sustained performance (Snapdragon 888 variant)
- Much higher price tag
- Slower 25W charging
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s display is a clear standout, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1023 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Realme X9 Pro’s display specs aren’t provided, it likely doesn’t reach this level of brightness. The S21 Ultra’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED panels, delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors. The S21 Ultra also likely features an adaptive refresh rate (LTPO) for smoother scrolling and improved power efficiency, a feature not confirmed for the X9 Pro. The S21 Ultra’s larger screen size and higher resolution contribute to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s camera system is a major strength, offering a versatile setup with multiple lenses and advanced features. While specific sensor details are not provided, the S21 Ultra is known for its exceptional image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The X9 Pro’s camera capabilities are less detailed in the provided data, but it’s unlikely to match the S21 Ultra’s overall image quality and zoom capabilities. The S21 Ultra’s OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is crucial for sharp photos and stable videos, especially when zoomed in. The S21 Ultra’s video recording capabilities are also superior, offering features like 8K recording.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, depending on the region, utilizes either the Exynos 2100 (5nm) or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm). Both chips feature a Cortex-X1 prime core for peak performance, but the Snapdragon 888 generally exhibits better sustained performance and thermal management. The Realme X9 Pro’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm) is a step down in raw power, but it’s a highly efficient chip that delivers excellent performance for its class. The 870’s Kryo 585 cores, while clocked slightly lower than the 888’s, provide a smooth experience for most tasks. The S21 Ultra’s LPDDR5 RAM, combined with its more powerful processor, gives it an edge in multitasking and demanding applications. However, the X9 Pro’s 12GB of RAM is still ample for most users.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating solid battery life. Its 25W wired charging, while decent, is significantly slower than the Realme X9 Pro’s 65W wired charging. The X9 Pro can charge from 0-100% much faster, a significant convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery. The S21 Ultra offers 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, while the X9 Pro provides 5W reverse wired charging. While the S21 Ultra’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its endurance rating suggests a larger battery than the X9 Pro, but the faster charging of the X9 Pro mitigates this difference for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X9 Pro if you need a powerful, fast-charging phone for gaming and everyday use without breaking the bank. It’s ideal for users who prioritize performance-per-dollar. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you demand the absolute best in display quality, camera versatility, and are willing to pay a premium for those features. It caters to photography enthusiasts and power users who need a top-tier experience.