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 February 12, 2024·
If you're looking for a less expensive option, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the budget-friendly choice with a large screen, a high refresh rate, and excellent battery life. It also includes a powerful telephoto lens capable of a significant optical zoom, which is great for photography enthusiasts. On the other hand, the newer Samsung Galaxy S24+ comes at a premium price but offers a marginally smaller yet brighter screen, a slightly larger battery, better performance, and improved overall camera capabilities, including photo and video quality. Both phones share features like glass body construction, 5G connectivity, and lack of a headphone jack, but the S24+ has updates in hardware and software that reflect the latest advances in technology. 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 S24+.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S24+
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.8
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy S24+ has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is outperformed by the Samsung Galaxy S24+ in terms of selfie quality, which is very important in judging camera performance. Additionally, the overall camera experience, encompassing factors like resolution, software, dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility, is better on the S24+ as indicated by its higher selfie score.
Photo Quality
7.8
8.5
The Samsung Galaxy S24+ takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a ‘good’ selfie quality, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S24+ has a ‘very good’ selfie score; indicating improved self-portrait photo capabilities in the latter. Other important camera features like photos resolution, software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility are very good in both models, but superior selfie capabilities can make a significant difference for users prioritizing front-facing camera performance.
Video Quality
7.1
7.9
The Samsung Galaxy S24+ and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra both have good videos, though the Samsung Galaxy S24+ takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra outperforms in video resolution and frame rate, providing a superior video recording experience, and its video stabilization is more advanced than the S24+, ensuring smoother footage. Although both phones offer strong video software experiences and dynamic range, the S21 Ultra's superior video low-light performance and microphone quality make it the better choice for high-quality video recordings in various conditions compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24+.
Battery
6.7 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$423
$1,000
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a price of $423 and the Samsung Galaxy S24+ costs $1,000.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is 6.7 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S24+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S24+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$423 | $1,000 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | January 24, 2024 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.8" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3200 x 1440 | 3120 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 515 | 513 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G3 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4900 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" | 6.24" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.01 oz | 6.91 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, 276 | |
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 | Sapphire Blue, Sandstone Orange, Onyx Black, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
See more
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."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S24+
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 Ultra vs. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S22+
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S24+ vs. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S24+ vs. Samsung Galaxy S23+
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S24+ vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro
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
