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 are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is significantly less expensive than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Although its camera capabilities are very good, the more recent Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a superior camera system, offering the best photography performance and excellent video capabilities. The S24 Ultra also has an integrated stylus and improved overall performance. Both phones have similar battery capacity and screen size, but the S24 Ultra has a brighter display. Choose the S21 Ultra for value or the S24 Ultra for top-of-the-line features at a premium price. 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 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.8
9.3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a good selfie camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's selfie performance is very good, providing higher quality self portraits. Additionally, the S24 Ultra outperforms the S21 Ultra in low light conditions for both photo and video, making it superior for capturing moments in dim environments.
Photo Quality
7.8
9.7
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes better selfies than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra due to a higher selfie quality score, despite the S24 Ultra having advantages in other photographic aspects like photos dynamic range and low light performance. If taking selfies is very important to you, then the S21 Ultra might be the better choice, while the S24 Ultra may be preferable for other types of photography.
Video Quality
7.1
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra delivers better video quality than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, primarily due to its superior video stabilization and dynamic range. While both have high-resolution capabilities, the S24 Ultra falls short on video software experience and low light performance which are pivotal for a clearer and more detailed video output, despite its integrated stylus and increased megapixel count on its telephoto camera.
Battery
6.7 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$423
$1,300
$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 Ultra costs $1,300.
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 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$423 | $1,300 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3200 x 1440 | 3120 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 515 | 505 | |
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 | 9.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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" | 6.39" x 3.11" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.01 oz | 8.18 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 | 7 | |
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 | Titanium Blue, Titanium Orange, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Green | |
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 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.
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 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Sony Xperia 1 V
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
