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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a better camera system including the ability to shoot high-quality video, you will appreciate the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra as it features more advanced photography capabilities. However, the Samsung Galaxy A53 is a more recent model with a very good camera system of its own, and it offers a more budget-friendly price point. The S21 Ultra also boasts a larger, curved screen which is brighter and has a higher resolution compared to the A53's screen. On the other hand, the A53 has a longer battery life. Both phones have 5G connectivity and run on the Android operating system. The S21 Ultra has additional premium features like glass back, higher RAM, and a more powerful processor, whereas the A53 offers a plastic back and sufficient performance for everyday tasks. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A53
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
5.9
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has very good cameras due to its fair combination of camera versatility and selfie quality, though it has room for improvement in photos software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra possesses superior camera software, dynamic range, and low light capabilities, alongside better overall camera versatility and selfie camera performance, making its cameras good and more capable in diverse conditions.
Photo Quality
6.2
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is noted for having a very good camera software experience, good dynamic range, and good low light performance, contributing to sharper and more vibrant photos, especially in challenging conditions. In contrast, the Galaxy A53 has a fair rating in both software experience and selfie quality, while its dynamic range and low light performance are marked as poor, limiting its ability to capture fine details and accurate colors in various lighting scenarios. Both phones offer different levels of camera versatility, with the S21 Ultra being classified as very good, possibly due to its additional features and lenses that enhance photo-taking capabilities, compared to the A53's fair versatility.
Video Quality
5.2
7.1
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra delivers superior video quality with its higher stabilization and dynamic range scores, ensuring smoother, more vivid footage, especially in varied lighting conditions. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy A53 offers decent video capabilities suited for casual use but falls short in stabilization and low light performance in comparison, which could matter if you frequently record in motion or dim scenarios.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has 8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$480
$423
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has a price of $480 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A53 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A53 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$480 | $423 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 24, 2022 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 405 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | E1280 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.3/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 64 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.28" x 2.94" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.67 oz | 8.01 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, White, Black | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A53
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | May 2023
"Samsung’s quartet of rear cameras delivers the goods, both day and night, with the only blemish being the lack of 4K/60fps video recording. The large, 6.5-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display is crisp and smooth, making video streaming enjoyable. You should have no issues pushing the 5,000mAh battery to its limits and it’s not too slow to charge relative to its competitors in the US."
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A53 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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