Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy Z Fold4 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, represents a traditional flagship smartphone experience, offering a premium design and advanced camera system. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, launched in August 2022, introduces a unique foldable form factor, transforming from a standard smartphone into a tablet-like device. The primary differentiators lie in their design philosophy and the versatility offered by the Z Fold4's dual-screen setup, while both run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was released in January 2021, making it an older device compared to the Galaxy Z Fold4, which launched in August 2022. This difference in release date directly impacts their remaining software support. [4, 14, 17, 21]
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G shipped with Android 11 and typically receives 3-4 major Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates. The Galaxy Z Fold4, launching with Android 12L, was promised 4 major Android OS updates (up to Android 16) and 5 years of security updates, extending its support until 2027. [1, 2, 14, 17, 22, 37, 38, 39]
• Durability Features: Both devices offer robust build quality. The S21 Ultra features Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back, along with an aluminum frame and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Z Fold4 utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its cover screen and back panel, an Armor Aluminum frame, and an IPX8 water resistance rating, though it lacks an official dust resistance rating due to its foldable nature. The Z Fold4's inner display also incorporates Ultra-Thin Glass with protective plastic layers, and Samsung improved its internal damping structure for enhanced durability. [1, 7, 13, 14, 19, 30, 45]

The performance of both devices is designed to handle demanding tasks, though the Z Fold4 benefits from a newer generation of internal components.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is equipped with a powerful processor from its generation, enabling smooth operation for everyday applications, multitasking, and mobile gaming. The Galaxy Z Fold4 features a more recent processor, which provides a noticeable boost in overall speed and efficiency, particularly for intensive applications and complex multitasking scenarios. [4, 12, 18, 23, 26, 27]
• Multitasking Capabilities: Both phones offer ample RAM, with the S21 Ultra typically having 12GB or 16GB, and the Z Fold4 consistently featuring 12GB. This allows for efficient switching between multiple applications without significant slowdowns. The Z Fold4's larger internal display, when unfolded, further enhances the multitasking experience by providing more screen real estate for running several apps simultaneously. [1, 4, 12, 14, 17, 26, 27, 28, 32, 33, 34]
• Storage Options: Both devices offer various internal storage configurations to suit different user needs. The S21 Ultra is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage, while the Z Fold4 provides options for 256GB, 512GB, and a larger 1TB, catering to users who require extensive storage for media and applications. Neither device supports expandable storage via microSD cards. [1, 4, 12, 14, 17, 18, 20, 26, 27, 28, 32, 33, 34]
• Battery Performance: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G houses a larger 5000 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for most users. The Galaxy Z Fold4 has a 4400 mAh battery. Despite the smaller capacity, the Z Fold4's more efficient processor and adaptive refresh rate displays contribute to optimized power consumption, aiming for comparable real-world battery life for typical usage. [1, 3, 4, 11, 12, 16, 17, 20, 28, 34, 43, 44, 45]

The display experience is a significant differentiator, with the Z Fold4 offering a unique adaptable screen, while the S21 Ultra provides a large, high-resolution traditional display.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The S21 Ultra has a single 6.8-inch QHD+ (3200x1440) display with a pixel density of 515 ppi. The Z Fold4 offers a 6.2-inch cover display (2316x904) and a larger 7.6-inch foldable main display (2176x1812), providing a tablet-like experience when unfolded. The main display of the Z Fold4 also features a less visible under-display camera for a more immersive view. [1, 4, 11, 13, 19, 21, 24, 27, 28, 29, 43, 45]
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones offer adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive interactions while conserving battery life by adjusting to content. The S21 Ultra can reach a peak brightness of 1500 nits, providing excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The Z Fold4's main display offers a peak brightness of 1200 nits, which is also suitable for various lighting environments. [1, 11, 13, 24, 28, 29, 43, 45]
• Viewing Experience: The S21 Ultra provides a consistently large and high-resolution viewing area ideal for media consumption and productivity on a single screen. The Z Fold4's foldable design allows users to switch between a compact smartphone experience and an expansive tablet-like display, offering versatility for different tasks, from quick checks on the cover screen to immersive content viewing and multitasking on the main screen. [1, 11, 13, 24]

Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems, but they cater to slightly different photographic priorities.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 108MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 10MP periscope telephoto lens offering 10x optical zoom, capable of up to 100x digital Space Zoom. The Galaxy Z Fold4 has a triple-camera system, comprising a 50MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, also supporting up to 30x digital Space Zoom. The Z Fold4's main sensor is an upgrade over its predecessor, sharing similarities with the Galaxy S22/S22+. [1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 28, 32, 34, 35, 36, 43]
• Photography Performance: The S21 Ultra excels in zoom capabilities, offering exceptional detail at high magnifications. Its 108MP sensor also captures rich detail in standard shots. The Z Fold4 provides strong everyday photography performance, with its 50MP main sensor delivering clear and vibrant images, particularly in good lighting. Both devices offer enhanced low-light performance through advanced processing. [5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 35, 36]
• Video Recording and Front Cameras: Both phones support 8K video recording at 24fps and 4K video at 60fps. The S21 Ultra is notable for its ability to record 4K@60fps across all its cameras, including the 40MP front camera. The Z Fold4 features a 10MP camera on its cover display and a 4MP under-display camera on the main screen, which is suitable for video calls but generally offers lower quality than the cover screen camera for selfies. [1, 9, 15, 16, 17, 20, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 45]