Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S24 • Locked T-Mobile

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, represented the pinnacle of Samsung's smartphone technology for its generation, offering a comprehensive suite of high-end features. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S24, launched in January 2024, is the base model of a newer flagship series, focusing on a more compact design while incorporating the latest processing advancements and an extended software support policy. These devices cater to different user priorities, with the S21 Ultra emphasizing a larger display and advanced camera zoom capabilities, while the S24 offers a more modern internal architecture and a longer lifespan for software updates.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its release timeline and the manufacturer's commitment to software updates. These two devices, separated by three years, present distinct expectations in this regard.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, launched in January 2021, received major Android operating system updates up to Android 15 (One UI 7.0) in early 2025, with security updates concluding around February 2026. This fulfills Samsung's commitment of four major OS updates and five years of security patches for the device. The Galaxy S24, released in January 2024, comes with a significantly extended support policy, promising seven years of both operating system and security updates, ensuring software longevity until early 2031.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature robust construction with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating a high level of protection against environmental elements. The S21 Ultra is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus on its front and back, while the S24 utilizes the newer Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering enhanced drop and scratch resistance.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: For users prioritizing the latest software features and security, the Galaxy S24 offers a considerably longer period of official support. The S21 Ultra, while still a capable device, has reached the end of its major software update cycle, meaning it will no longer receive new Android versions or regular security patches.

Performance in smartphones is about more than just raw speed; it encompasses how smoothly applications run, the efficiency of multitasking, and the device's ability to handle demanding tasks over time. The three-year gap between these models brings notable differences in their internal components.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 features a significantly newer generation processor, which translates to faster application loading times, more fluid navigation through the operating system, and improved efficiency for complex computations, including advanced AI features. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, while still offering capable performance for everyday tasks and many demanding applications, relies on an older generation processor.
• Multitasking and Storage: The S21 Ultra was available with up to 12GB or 16GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for extensive multitasking and keeping many applications open simultaneously without slowdowns. The base Galaxy S24 typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most users but may offer less headroom for extremely heavy multitasking compared to the higher-end S21 Ultra configurations. Both devices offer various internal storage options, impacting the number of apps and media files that can be stored.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 Ultra houses a larger 5000 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for many users. The Galaxy S24 has a smaller 4000 mAh battery, but benefits from a more power-efficient processor and optimized software, often resulting in comparable all-day battery life for average usage. However, some users have reported mixed experiences with the S24's battery life, particularly after certain software updates.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Galaxy S24 offer high-quality viewing experiences, though with different characteristics.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both devices utilize Dynamic AMOLED 2X display technology, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a larger 6.8-inch display with a higher QHD+ resolution (3200 x 1440 pixels), resulting in a very sharp and detailed image. The Galaxy S24 has a more compact 6.2-inch display with an FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), which still provides a clear viewing experience for its size.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S24 boasts a significantly higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it exceptionally visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The S21 Ultra offers a peak brightness of 1500 nits, which is still very good for most environments. Both phones feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, allowing for smooth scrolling and fluid animations while conserving battery life by adjusting the refresh rate based on content.
• Viewing Experience and Form Factor: The S21 Ultra's larger screen is well-suited for media consumption and productivity tasks where screen real estate is beneficial. The S24's smaller size makes it more comfortable for one-handed use and easier to carry in a pocket. The S21 Ultra also features curved edges, while the S24 has a flatter display.

Camera capabilities are a crucial aspect for many users, and both the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and the Galaxy S24 offer advanced photographic tools, albeit with different strengths and approaches.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and another 10MP periscope telephoto lens offering 10x optical zoom, enabling impressive long-range photography. The Galaxy S24 comes with a triple-camera system, comprising a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S21 Ultra is renowned for its optical zoom capabilities, allowing for detailed shots at significant distances. The S24, while having a more modest optical zoom range, benefits from newer image processing algorithms and AI enhancements that can improve overall image quality, color accuracy, and detail in various lighting conditions. However, some users have expressed disappointment with the S24's low-light performance and color processing in certain scenarios.
• Video and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording 8K video. The S21 Ultra features a high-resolution 40MP front camera, while the S24 has a 12MP front camera, both capable of capturing detailed selfies and supporting video calls. The S24 also introduces new AI editing tools for photos and videos.