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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with a larger screen size and longer battery life, the Motorola One 5G Ace is the way to go. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21, while more expensive, offers a significantly better camera system for both still photos and video, and it also has a higher-quality OLED display with a faster refresh rate for smoother navigation and viewing. Both phones run on Android and are made of plastic, but the Galaxy S21 also supports wireless charging and a higher internal storage base. If photography and display quality are high priorities and you're okay with a higher price, choose the Samsung Galaxy S21; if you prefer longer battery life and a larger screen at a lower cost, go for the Motorola One 5G Ace. 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 Motorola One 5G Ace
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
4.3
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Motorola One 5G Ace has poor overall camera quality.
The Motorola One 5G Ace has a poor camera experience mainly due to its lower selfie quality, and limited capabilities in software processing, dynamic range, and low light performance, making it less versatile overall. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers a good camera experience with a high-quality selfie camera, and better performance in the same categories, providing more versatility and richer photos and videos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Photo Quality
4.3
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Motorola One 5G Ace takes poor photos.
The Motorola One 5G Ace takes poor photos because its overall camera performance is rated poorly across several aspects like software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos as it has favorable evaluations in software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, along with a very good selfie score.
Video Quality
4.3
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos, while the Motorola One 5G Ace takes poor videos.
The Motorola One 5G Ace delivers poor video results across the board, with issues in resolution/framerate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S21 provides a good video experience, with better performance in all these areas contributing to its overall superior video-taking capabilities.
Battery
9.6 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Motorola One 5G Ace has 9.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Motorola One 5G Ace has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$99
$145
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Motorola One 5G Ace has a price of $99 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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How the Motorola One 5G Ace and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Motorola | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 14, 2021 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 393 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | LCD | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD750 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 4.4/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 4.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 4.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 48 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.6 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 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 | 6.54" x 3" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.51 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 | (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: Rear | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Volcanic Gray, Frosted Silver | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Motorola One 5G Ace
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Mark Knapp | February 2021
"The Motorola One 5G Ace is on the affordable side, but you don’t get a phone that will expire quickly. It proves plenty speedy for most uses, and has 5G support to get you onto the latest cellular technology. With a 6.7-inch display, the Motorola One 5G Ace is about as big as they come. The display is plenty bright, as sharp as it needs to be, and even offers HDR to round out the package."
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Motorola One 5G Ace or the Samsung Galaxy S21
About Motorola
Motorola, a well-known name in the smartphone world, has a long-standing legacy in the industry, with a history dating back to the early days of mobile phones. The brand is mostly known for striking a balance between affordability and functionality, as well as providing a clean and straightforward interface with their software skin on top of Android. While they have traditionally been prominent in the budget and midrange categories, Motorola has also occasionally ventured into the high-end category for smartphones.
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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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.
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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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