Published Aug 18, 2023 - Debating whether to buy a Samsung S21 Ultra, but want to be sure the smartphone is right for you? We've got you covered!
The Samsung S21 Ultra was launched on the market in January 2021. The successor to the Samsung S20 Ultra has corrected some of its predecessor's weaknesses and stands out in several respects. At the time of its release, it was one of the best-equipped smartphones on the market. Is this still the case today, and is it worth buying?
👉 Interested in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra's predecessor? Find a comparison of the Samsung S20 and S20 Ultra here.
Screen, camera, processor, and memory: these four components play a decisive role in the performance, comfort, and usability of a smartphone. The Samsung S21 Ultra does many things well. The resolution of the wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle cameras is just as impressive as the optical zoom. A top-notch processor and generous memory are responsible for stable and reliable performance and high work pace.
Here's the technical specification of the Samsung S21 Ultra:
Screen diagonal: 6.8 inches (approximately 17 centimeters)
Resolution: 1,440 x 3,200 pixels
Screen: AMOLED / Gorilla glass
Refresh rate: 120 Hertz
Dimensions: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 millimeters
Weight: 227 grams
Processor: Eight-core Samsung Exynos 2100 CPU with integrated Mali-G78 graphics unit and up to 2.9 GHz
Memory: 12 GB / 16 GB RAM
Storage capacity: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB
Battery capacity: 5,000 mAh
Security: Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor + facial recognition
Camera: Wide angle, ultra-wide angle, and digital zoom up to 100x.
At first glance, it's noticeable that the manufacturer has reduced the size of the smartphone compared to its predecessor. It's thus narrower by about a millimeter and shorter by nearly five millimeters. The weight, on the other hand, has increased, even if only by seven grams. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is more manageable and stands out with a sturdy Gorilla glass matte back.
Find out why the Galaxy S21 Ultra made our list as the best budget Samsung phone in 2024.
The components also prove its potential: the processor has achieved excellent results in benchmark tests and operates very efficiently. It supports the latest mobile telephony standard, 5G, and ensures a pleasantly fast workflow. It's backed by 12 or 16 gigabytes of RAM, as preferred. Samsung has already successfully tested this power in its predecessor. A large amount of RAM means you can run virtually endless applications simultaneously. This also applies to memory-intensive programs like 3D games or graphic applications. Lastly, high RAM is a promise for the future: even in a few years, programs should continue to run smoothly.
If you're considering purchasing the Samsung S21 Ultra, we recommend carefully reading through the advantages and disadvantages of the model. Tests reveal not only advantages, as the Samsung S21 Ultra also comes with its fair share of drawbacks:
Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
Bright and vibrant display | Relatively heavy |
Dual-SIM capability | No headphone jack |
Excellent performance | Non-expandable memory |
Very good camera | |
Excellent zoom capabilities | |
120Hz refresh rate | |
Good battery life | |
S-Pen support |
High weight was already a negative point of its predecessor. Despite more compact dimensions, Samsung has added to this with this model. ❌❌
The manufacturer has removed the memory card slot without providing a replacement, which allowed for cost-effective storage expansion. If you need a lot of memory, you're left with the option of choosing a 256GB or 512GB version of the Samsung S21 Ultra or regularly backing up your data externally or in the cloud. But for most people, 512GB should be sufficient.
Samsung surprised with the inclusion of S-Pen support, a stylus that was once reserved for the Galaxy Note family. The S21 Ultra 5G also supports it, enhancing not only typing and swiping but also enabling handwritten notes and sketches. Unfortunately, it's not included in the package and needs to be purchased separately.
Tip: Invest in a case with a slot for the stylus. The smartphone itself doesn't have a convenient way to store it.
The verdict is clear: using it is a pleasure. It starts with the ergonomics; the smartphone fits perfectly in hand. The camera quality stands out immediately, especially on the XL screen. It not only provides a perfect overview but also delights with its rich and vibrant colors, as well as deep blacks. When you enable the 120Hz refresh rate, you get an exceptionally smooth screen experience. This is great for swiftly scrolling through files and websites; games, 3D graphics, and photo applications also benefit from it.
Particularly practical and battery-efficient: the hardware recognizes whether 120Hz is necessary and automatically activates the mode. Regarding battery life, it lasts for approximately nine hours under intensive usage.
🌟 RAM and Processor The working memory (RAM) and processor together ensure a lag-free experience. Apps start virtually instantly and can be used without delay. Animations are absolutely fluid. It's no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G catches up significantly with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The integrated A14 Bionic chip in the latter is only slightly superior to the Samsung Exynos 2100 in benchmark tests.
🌟 What About the Camera Quality of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra? And then there's the camera. In addition to the main sensor, Samsung equips the smartphone with a wide-angle camera, an ultra-wide-angle camera, and a telephoto camera. The telephoto camera stands out with its extremely powerful zoom capabilities:
Optical zoom provides up to ten times magnification.
In digital mode, it goes even further, up to a factor of 100. However, test reports show that such extreme zoom significantly reduces image quality.
A "lock" prevents this: the system stops at a 20x factor and only continues zooming after a short pause.
A smartphone family with a few differences: the Samsung S21 Ultra 5G appeared alongside the entry-level model Galaxy S21 FE, the standard Samsung S21, and the Samsung S21 Plus.
Screen Size | 6.2 inches | 6.8 inches |
Display | AMOLED, 1080 x 2400 pixels | AMOLED, 1440 x 3200 pixels |
Battery Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
Camera | Triple camera setup with wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and triple optical zoom | Quadruple camera setup with wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and two telephoto cameras with 10x optical zoom |
RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB / 16 GB |
Processor | Exynos 2100 | Exynos 2100 |
MicroSD Slot | No | No |
Storage Capacity | 128 GB / 256 GB | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB |
Screen Size: 6.8 inches
Display: AMOLED, 1440 x 3200 pixels
Battery Capacity: 5,000 mAh
Camera: Quadruple camera setup with wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and two telephoto cameras with 10x optical zoom
RAM: 12 GB / 16 GB
Processor: Exynos 2100
MicroSD Slot: No
Storage Capacity: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB
With a starting entry-level price of around $1,079, the Samsung S21 Ultra is clearly a premium phone. That was the case in early 2021. And today? For a refurbished model, you can find a S21 Ultra for $300.
The bonus: At Back Market, you benefit from 12 months of warranty and a 30-day withdrawal period. 🎉 🎉
The Samsung S21 Ultra was launched in the market in January 2021.
The optical zoom provides magnification up to ten times. In digital, it goes even further, up to a factor of 100. Test reports, however, show that such extreme digital zoom significantly reduces image quality. A "lock" prevents this: the system stops at a factor of 20 and only continues zooming after a short pause.
With an entry-level price starting at around $1,079, the Samsung S21 Ultra is clearly a high-end phone. That was the case in early 2021. And today? For a refurbished model, you can find a S21 Ultra for $300.
Miguel is always looking for new ways to provide unique perspective on popular tech and has taken his writing to the refurbished industry to promote sustainability. Outside of creating content, you might find him travelling the globe, coaching a fitness class, or cheering on his favorite sports teams (Go Dolphins!)
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