Galaxy S21 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S24 Ultra • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, represent different generations within Samsung's flagship smartphone lineup. While both devices offer a premium Android experience, the S24 Ultra introduces significant advancements in processing power, camera technology, and display features, reflecting three years of technological evolution.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including software support and physical resilience.

• Software Support: The Galaxy S21 5G was released with Android 11 and typically receives four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Ultra launched with Android 14 and is promised seven years of major OS updates and security patches, extending its software lifespan considerably.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S21 5G features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S24 Ultra enhances this with Corning Gorilla Armor for its display, offering improved scratch resistance, and a titanium frame, alongside its IP68 dust and water resistance rating.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 5G has a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, with an easily removable back plate and replaceable parts, though the battery can be difficult to remove due to strong adhesive. The Galaxy S24 Ultra achieves a higher repairability score of 9 out of 10, noted for its ease of battery replacement with pull tabs and accessible internal components, despite some complexities in screen removal.

The performance capabilities of these two devices reflect the generational gap, impacting how smoothly they handle demanding applications and multitasking.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 5G provides capable performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, being a newer device, offers a significantly more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and enhanced performance for graphically intensive games and advanced AI features.
• Memory and Storage: The Galaxy S21 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. The Galaxy S24 Ultra generally features 12GB of RAM, with storage configurations starting from 256GB and going up to 1TB, providing more headroom for demanding applications and extensive data storage.
• Battery Performance: The Galaxy S21 5G is equipped with a 4000 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of moderate use. The Galaxy S24 Ultra houses a larger 5000 mAh battery, and combined with a more efficient processor, users often report extended battery life, with some experiencing up to 16 hours and 45 minutes of usage in tests, surpassing many contemporaries.

The visual experience on both devices is delivered through high-quality displays, though with notable differences in technology and brightness.

• Display Technology and Size: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 6.2-inch FHD+ display (1080 x 2400 pixels). The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a larger 6.8-inch QHD+ display (3120 x 1440 pixels), providing a more expansive and sharper viewing area.
• Brightness and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 5G's display can reach a peak brightness of around 1300 nits. The Galaxy S24 Ultra significantly increases this to a peak brightness of 2600 nits, which, combined with an anti-reflective coating, greatly enhances outdoor visibility and overall clarity in bright conditions.
• Refresh Rate: Both models feature an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The S24 Ultra's display can dynamically adjust its refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, optimizing power consumption based on content.

The camera systems on these smartphones offer distinct capabilities, catering to different photography and videography needs.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 5G features a triple camera setup with a 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto lens offering 3x hybrid optical zoom. The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a more advanced quad-camera system, including a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom, which can achieve high-quality 10x zoom through cropping.
• Photography Performance: The S21 5G delivers good photos in various conditions, with improved focus and subject tracking. The S24 Ultra offers enhanced detail, improved low-light performance, and more natural-looking images, with its higher resolution sensors and advanced image processing.
• Video Recording: Both devices are capable of 8K video recording. The S24 Ultra further enhances video capabilities with features like 4K video at up to 120fps in Pro Video mode and improved stabilization, including gyro data encoding for smoother footage.