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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a larger screen and a more premium camera system, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra might be the right choice, as it has a slightly bigger display and significantly better overall camera quality than the S21+, including a higher main camera megapixel count. However, it is heavier and has a shorter battery life compared to the S21+. Both phones offer high screen refresh rates for smooth visuals, but only the S21 Ultra's screen has a curved edge and higher pixel density for sharper images. Both lack a headphone jack, but support wireless charging and have dust and water resistance. Keep in mind the S21 Ultra usually comes with a higher price tag due to these additional features. 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+
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21+.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S21+ both have good overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ is praised for its solid all-around photo quality including resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance, coupled with a good selfie camera and robust software experience for both photos and videos. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra goes a step further with a very good selfie camera, superior camera versatility thanks to additional lens options, and enhanced low light performance, providing a more premium, albeit pricier, photography experience.
Photo Quality
7.0
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S21+ both have good photos, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers superior selfie performance over the Galaxy S21+, making it a preferred option for selfie enthusiasts. Meanwhile, for users less focused on selfies and more on a balanced photo experience with good resolution, dynamic range, low-light performance, and camera versatility, the Galaxy S21+ still captures high-quality images in various conditions.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$340
$423
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a price of $340 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
6.6
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to have good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers stable video recordings with good sound capture, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts superior low-light performance and dynamic range in videos, making it better suited for a variety of lighting conditions.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21+ and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21+ | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$340 | $423 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 394 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
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 | 8 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4800 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 | 6.36" x 2.98" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 8.01 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | 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)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 | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21+
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Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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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 S21+ 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
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.
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