A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a more affordable option, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers a solid balance between performance and price. However, if camera quality is critical for you and you're willing to invest more, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has a significantly better camera system, including more megapixels on both the main and telephoto lenses and higher photo and video quality ratings. The S22 Ultra also comes with a larger, higher-resolution screen that curves at the edges, and provides a higher peak brightness for better visibility in various lighting conditions, which can be particularly important if you often use your phone outdoors. Additionally, the S22 Ultra offers a slightly longer battery life and a more recent processor for potentially smoother performance. Keep in mind that both phones have the same storage capacity, run on Android, and lack a 3.5mm headphone jack, but only the S22 Ultra comes with a built-in stylus and a glass back compared to the plastic back of the S21. 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 S21
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a good selfie camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has very good selfie capabilities, offering a higher quality for selfie enthusiasts. Additionally, the S22 Ultra has greater camera versatility, indicating a broader range of photographic options and enhancements in camera performance overall, including better capabilities in dynamic range and low-light situations compared to the S21.
Photo Quality
7.0
8.5
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 provides a good camera experience with a respectable selfie camera, but the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra steps up the game with a very good software experience, better dynamic range, and a much higher-resolution selfie camera, making for more detailed and versatile shots.
Video Quality
6.6
7.4
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 delivers good videos with high-resolution and frame rates, an engaging software experience, and stable capture, but it may fall slightly short in dynamic range and low light performance compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The Galaxy S22 Ultra pushes the boundaries further with superior video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light capabilities, along with commendable microphone quality, enhancing overall video and audio capture.
Battery
6.7 Hours
7.8 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has 7.8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$145
$446
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a price of $145 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra costs $446.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$145 | $446 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | February 25, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 421 | 500 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 7.8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.97" x 2.8" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 8.04 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (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 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 248 | |
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 | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | Phantom Black, Phantom White, Burgundy, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21
See more
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."
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Eric Zeman | February 2023
"The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a bit of a “greatest hits” compilation of Samsung’s best ideas from former devices. Moreover, it packs much of the same productivity-enabling software as previous Note devices coupled with the power of the S Pen while keeping the total package reasonable in terms of cost. The phone has more features, more cameras, and more software to put to use than many competing phones. It’s a hardcore device that nearly has it all."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Samsung Galaxy S22 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10e
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022)
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy A54
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Sony Xperia 5 III
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
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
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
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.
Featured in
