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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a significantly better camera system, including both photo and video quality, than the S21 Ultra, so if photography is important to you, the S23 is a great choice. However, it comes at a premium price compared to the more budget-friendly S21. The S23 also boasts a longer battery life and an updated processor, which could mean smoother performance and greater longevity. Both phones share the same screen size and a high refresh rate, providing a similar viewing experience. If cost is a major concern, the S21 will save you money while still offering excellent features, though you'll miss out on the advancements of the newer model. 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 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 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
7.8
9.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a 'Very Good' selfie experience, with a range of photo and video features rated from 'Good' to 'Best', indicating a strong overall performance but with some aspects not top-tier. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra steps up the game with its selfie quality and across all camera aspects being rated 'Very Good' or 'Best', highlighting a more consistent and high-quality camera performance which includes excellent low light capabilities and versatility.
Photo Quality
7.8
9.5
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra delivers excellent selfies due to improvements in selfie camera quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which has good selfie capabilities. Additionally, the S23 Ultra enhances the overall photo experience with better resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance, as well as a stronger camera versatility, demonstrating a progression in photography software and hardware from its predecessor, the S21 Ultra.
Video Quality
7.1
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra records videos that have better dynamic range, stabilization, and low light performance than the S21 Ultra, making for overall higher quality footage. Also, the S23 Ultra features a significant improvement in microphone quality, enhancing audio capture for videos, compared to the S21 Ultra.
Battery
6.7 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$423
$1,200
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a price of $423 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$423 | $1,200 | ||
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 | 6.8" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3200 x 1440 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 515 | 501 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 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 | 6.5" x 2.98" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.01 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 | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 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 Navy, Phantom Titanium | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Ultra 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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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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Phones evaluated
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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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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.
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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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