Motorola Moto G85 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Motorola Moto G85 5G | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 485,000 | 900,997 | -46.2% |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 | Exynos 2100 | — |
| Display | 6.7" 120 Hz | 6.8" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 5,000 | 5,000 | — |
| Rear cameras | 50+8 MP | 108+10+10+12 MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 32 | 40 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 8 GB / 128 GB | 12 GB / 128 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 12 GB / 256 GB | 16 GB / 512 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 173 | 227 | -23.8% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · Under-display | 5G · Under-display | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $299–$339 | $1,199–$1,449 | -75.1% |
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G leads on raw performance by about 46% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 vs Exynos 2100).
- Motorola Moto G85 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: Moto G85 5G or Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?
Motorola Moto G85 5G advantages
- Lightness (+24%)
- Affordability (+75%)
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G advantages
- Raw performance (+46%)
- Camera resolution (+54%)
- Memory (+33%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Motorola Moto G85 5G if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the Motorola Moto G85 5G if you want the best value for money.
Value for money
Motorola Moto G85 5G delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Motorola Moto G85 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: which should you choose?
Motorola Moto G85 5G — Motorola N/A smartphone (2024) with a 6.67-inch 120 Hz P-OLED, Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, 5000 mAh battery and 50MP main camera, scoring about 485,000 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $299.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G — Samsung Android 11 smartphone (2021) with a 6.8-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Exynos 2100, 5000 mAh battery and 108MP main camera, scoring about 900,997 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,199.
Motorola Moto G85 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the faster phone. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G leads on raw performance by about 46% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 vs Exynos 2100). Motorola Moto G85 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the faster device on raw benchmarks (900,997 vs 485,000 on AnTuTu v10), running the Exynos 2100 against the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
Motorola Moto G85 5G carries a 6.7-inch 120 Hz P-OLED against a 6.8-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Batteries are 5,000 and 5,000 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 50+8 MP versus 108+10+10+12 MP, with 32 MP and 40 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 8 GB / 128 GB and 12 GB / 128 GB. The Motorola Moto G85 5G is the more affordable at about $299 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Motorola Moto G85 5G better than the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G takes the overall edge, though Motorola Moto G85 5G wins in specific areas worth weighing. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G leads on raw performance by about 46% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 vs Exynos 2100).
What is the main difference between the Motorola Moto G85 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G leads on raw performance by about 46% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 vs Exynos 2100). Motorola Moto G85 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 3 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
Motorola Moto G85 5G delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the Motorola Moto G85 5G if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.