Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra smartphone
Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

January 29, 2021 9/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a premium Android smartphone released in early 2021, known for its expansive 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, a versatile quad-camera system featuring a 108MP main sensor and dual telephoto lenses, and S Pen support. It offers powerful performance with either the Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888 chipset and a large 5000 mAh battery.
Display6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz adaptive, QHD+ resolution.
ChipsetExynos 2100 (Global) or Snapdragon 888 (USA/China).
Main CameraQuad 108MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, dual 10MP telephoto (3x & 10x optical zoom).
Battery5000 mAh, 25W fast charging.
Starting from $280

💰 Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Price

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra lowest price is $280, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)
Size6.8 inches, 112.1 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus
FeaturesAlways-on display, adaptive 10-120Hz refresh rate

Platform

OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14
Chipset (International)Exynos 2100 (5 nm)
Chipset (USA/China)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
CPU (Exynos)Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55)
CPU (Snapdragon)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU (Exynos)Mali-G78 MP14
GPU (Snapdragon)Adreno 660

Memory

Internal Storage128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
Card SlotNo
TypeUFS 3.1

Main Camera

Quad108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS; 10 MP, f/4.9, 240mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom; 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS

Selfie Camera

Single40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.7µm, PDAF
FeaturesDual video call, Auto-HDR
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps

Battery

TypeLi-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable
Charging25W wired (PD3.0), 15W wireless (Qi/PMA), 4.5W reverse wireless

Body

Dimensions165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
Weight227g (Sub6), 229g (mmWave) (8.01 oz)
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Water & Dust ResistanceIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
NFCYes
RadioNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG

Launch

AnnouncedJanuary 14, 2021
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, January 29

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Exceptional display quality and brightness.
  • Highly versatile and capable camera system with excellent zoom.
  • Powerful performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Premium build quality and sleek design.
  • S Pen support adds productivity features.

Cons

  • Large and heavy, can be uncomfortable for one-handed use.
  • No microSD card slot for expandable storage.
  • No charger or headphones included in the box.
  • Battery life can be inconsistent with heavy usage, especially with the high-resolution, high-refresh-rate display.
  • S Pen is not integrated and sold separately.
★ Our Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers a near-complete flagship experience with a stunning display, exceptional cameras, and powerful performance, making it a top-tier device despite a few minor drawbacks like its size and lack of included accessories.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra remains a strong choice for users prioritizing a top-tier camera, a vibrant display, and S Pen functionality, even though newer models have been released. When considering a purchase, especially for refurbished units, prioritize checking the battery health and verifying the originality of components like the display and camera. Ensure the device supports 5G if future-proofing is important to you. While new units are rare, refurbished options can offer excellent value, but always buy from reputable sellers and confirm warranty status. If you don't need the S Pen or extreme zoom capabilities, other Samsung models or alternatives might offer better value or a more compact form factor.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G smartphone
  • USB Type-C to Type-C cable
  • SIM ejector tool
  • Quick Start Guide and warranty information

Samsung smartphones typically come with a 12-month limited warranty covering manufacturing defects.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra released?

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra was officially released on January 29, 2021, following its announcement on January 14, 2021.

Does the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra support the S Pen?

Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra supports the S Pen, making it the first Galaxy S series phone to do so. However, the S Pen is sold separately and there is no integrated slot in the phone to store it.

What kind of camera system does the Galaxy S21 Ultra have?

The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a versatile quad-camera system on the rear, including a 108MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom. It also has a 40MP front-facing camera.

Is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G compatible?

Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 5G compatible, supporting both Sub6 and mmWave 5G networks, depending on the region and model.

Does the Galaxy S21 Ultra come with a charger in the box?

No, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra does not include a charger or headphones in the box. Only a USB Type-C to Type-C cable, a SIM ejector tool, and documentation are provided.

What are the main differences between the S21 Ultra and other S21 models?

The S21 Ultra stands out from the standard S21 and S21 Plus with its larger and higher-resolution QHD+ display, a more advanced 108MP main camera with dual telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical zoom), S Pen support, a larger 5000 mAh battery, and more RAM options (up to 16GB).