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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a phone and cost is a major factor, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is more budget-friendly. It has a solid camera setup, but if you prioritize camera performance, especially for still photos and videos, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra provides significantly better camera quality, though at a higher price tag. The S23 Ultra also offers a slightly larger and brighter screen with higher resolution, which could be important for media consumption or gaming. Battery life is better on the S23 Ultra, so if you need your phone to last longer on a single charge, it's the better option despite the higher expense. Both phones are from Samsung and operate on the Android system, but the S23 Ultra comes with more advanced hardware features like a higher refresh rate screen that is also curved, an improved processor, and more modern connectivity options. 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 S23 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
9.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers a good selfie experience, however, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra surpasses it with a very good selfie quality, beneficial for those who prioritize front camera performance. Additionally, the S23 Ultra enhances overall photography with better resolution, software, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, making it ideal for users seeking a top-tier camera experience.
Photo Quality
7.0
9.5
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ provides a good selfie experience, but the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a very good quality thanks to advancements in software and camera technology. Furthermore, the S23 Ultra has more versatile camera features, better performance in low light, and a wider dynamic range, enhancing overall photo quality significantly compared to the Galaxy S21+.
Video Quality
6.6
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers excellent videos thanks to its higher video resolution/framerate, superior video software experience, robust video stabilization, enhanced dynamic range, and better low light performance, coupled with higher mic quality, compared to the still capable but less advanced Samsung Galaxy S21+ in these areas. While the Galaxy S21+ takes good videos, it lags behind the Galaxy S23 Ultra, particularly in dynamic range and stabilization, making the S23 Ultra the preferred choice for more demanding video tasks.
Battery
8.0 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$340
$1,050
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a price of $340 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,050.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a screen size of 6.7 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21+ and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21+ | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$340 | $1,050 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | February 17, 2023 | |
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 | 501 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 10.4 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 | 8.25 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 | 5.3 | |
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, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 270 | |
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 | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Graphite | |
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 S23 Ultra
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Android Authority
Ryan Haines | March 2023
"The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t just want a place at the top right now; it expects to stay there. Samsung’s excellent update commitment and connectivity standards will keep its flagship feeling fresh for years to come, and the high-end materials will put up with more than their share of wear and tear. It might be more than most users need in terms of size, power, and cost, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a glaring weakness."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21+ or the Samsung Galaxy S23 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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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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Phones evaluated
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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.
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.
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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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