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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for an economical option, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is budget-friendly and offers a solid battery life, along with a decent camera setup. However, if you prefer a smartphone that has a more advanced camera system, including higher megapixel counts and better photo and video quality, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra would be the better choice, though it comes at a higher price. The S22 Ultra also has a slightly larger and higher resolution screen that may enhance your viewing experience. Additionally, the S22 Ultra includes a built-in stylus for added functionality that is not available on the S21+. Both phones have similar storage capacity, are 5G capable, and lack a headphone jack. Keep in mind the S21+ has a potentially longer battery life than the S22 Ultra, which could be important if you value longer usage times between charges. 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 S22 Ultra
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- 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 S22 Ultra stands out with a higher selfie quality and a very good video software experience compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21+, which scores good on both fronts. Additionally, the Galaxy S22 Ultra brings a significant boost with a higher megapixel main camera and a versatile telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, enhancing camera versatility over the S21+ which has a lower megapixel count and just 1x optical zoom on its telephoto lens.
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 S22 Ultra takes very good photos due in part to its superior selfie camera performance and better resolution, while the Galaxy S21+ provides good photos with a good selfie camera, but with lower resolution and overall camera versatility.
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+ provides excellent video resolution and framerate, along with good stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality, ensuring a solid all-around video recording experience. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra delivers an even more enhanced video experience with very good stabilization, and dynamic range, significantly better low light performance, and comparable microphone quality, suited for those who prioritize top-notch video capabilities.
Cost
$340
$446
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a price of $340 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra costs $446.
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Key similarities
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.8 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 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 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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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 | |||
$340 | $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 | 6.7" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 394 | 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 | 8 Hours | 7.8 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" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 8.04 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)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 Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | Phantom Black, Phantom White, Burgundy, Green | |
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 S22 Ultra
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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.
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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
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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.
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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