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9.1
PhoneArena Score
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Review
8.7
User Score(7 reviews)
Released
Jan 29, 2021
Description
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the headliner of the S21 series. It's the first S series phone to support Samsung's S Pen. Specifications are top-notch including Snapdragon 888 chipset, 5G capability, up to 16gigs of RAM, and 512GB of storage. A 5000mAh battery keeps the lights on for this powerhouse. In the camera department, a quad-camera setup is presented with two telephoto sensors. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra starting price is $1200.
This device is also known asSamsung SM-G998U1
Pros
- High refresh rate (120Hz)
- 5G ready
- High screen-to-body ratio (89.33 %)
- Supports wireless charging
- High pixel density screen (516 PPI)
Deals
View more offers
Popular Comparisons
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is most commonly compared with these phones:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 UltravsSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 UltravsSamsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 UltravsSamsung Galaxy S24+
- Samsung Galaxy S21 UltravsSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 UltravsSamsung Galaxy S21
Specs Compare
DisplayBenchmarks | |
|---|---|
| Size: | 6.8 inches |
| Resolution: | 3200 x 1440 pixels, 20:9 ratio, 516 PPI |
| Technology: | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Refresh rate: | 120Hz (adaptable) |
| Screen-to-body: | 89.33 % |
| Peak brightness: | 1500 cd/m2 (nit) |
| Features: | HDR support, Scratch-resistant glass (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus), Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor |
HardwareBenchmarks | |
|---|---|
| System chip: | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SM8350 (5 nm) |
| Processor: | Octa-core, 1x 2.84GHz Kryo 680 + 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 680 + 4x 1.80GHz Kryo 680, 64-bit |
| GPU: | Adreno 660 |
| RAM: | 12GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage: | 128GB (UFS 3.1), not expandable |
| OS: | Android (13, 12, 11), Samsung One UI |
| Device type: | Smartphone |
BatteryBenchmarks | |
|---|---|
| Capacity: | 5000 mAh |
| Type: | Li - Polymer, Not user replaceable |
| Charging: | Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, USB Power Delivery, Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging, Qi and Powermat wireless charging, Reverse wireless charging |
| Max charge speed: | Wired: 25.0W; Wireless: 15.0W |
Camera | |
|---|---|
| Rear: | Quad cameraCamera samples |
| Main camera: | 108 MP (OIS, Laser and PDAF) |
| Specifications: | Aperture size: F1.8; Focal length: 24 mm; Sensor size: 1/1.33"; Pixel size: 0.8 μm |
| Second camera: | 10 MP (Telephoto, OIS, PDAF) |
| Specifications: | Optical zoom: 3.0x; Aperture size: F2.4; Focal Length: 70 mm; Sensor size: 1/3.2"; Pixel size: 1.22 μm |
| Third camera: | 12 MP (Ultra-wide, PDAF) |
| Specifications: | Aperture size: F2.2; Focal Length: 13 mm; Sensor size: 1/2.55"; Pixel size: 1.4 μm |
| Fourth camera: | 10 MP (Periscope, OIS, PDAF) |
| Specifications: | Optical zoom: 10.0x; Aperture size: F4.9; Focal Length: 240 mm; Sensor size: 1/3.2"; Pixel size: 1.22 μm |
| Flash: | LED |
| Video recording: | 7680x4320 (8K UHD) (24 fps), 3840x2160 (4K UHD) (60 fps), 1920x1080 (Full HD) (240 fps), 1280x720 (HD) (960 fps) |
| Features: | OIS, HDR, Hyperlapse, Video light, EIS |
| Front: | 40 MP (PDAF, HDR) |
| Video capture: | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) (60 fps) |
DesignSize comparison | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions: | 6.50 x 2.98 x 0.35 inches (165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm) |
| Weight: | 8.04 oz (229.0 g) |
| Materials: | Back: Glass (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus); Frame: Aluminum |
| Resistance: | Water, Dust; IP68 |
| Biometrics: | 2D Face unlock, Ultrasonic in-screen fingerprint |
| Keys: | Right: Volume control, Lock/Unlock key |
| Colors: | Phantom black, Silver |
Cellular | |
|---|---|
| 5G: | n2, n5, n12, n25, n41, n66, n71, n77, n260, n261, SA, NSA, Sub-6, mmWave |
| 4G (FDD): | Bands 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(AWS-1), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700 a), 13(700 c), 14(700 PS), 18(800 Lower), 19(800 Upper), 20(800 DD), 25(1900+), 26(850+), 28(700 APT), 30(2300 WCS), 66(AWS-3), 71(600) |
| 4G (TDD): | Bands 38(2600), 39(1900+), 40(2300), 41(2600+), 46, 48(3600) |
| 3G: | Bands 1(2100), 2(1900), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 8(900) |
| Data Speed: | LTE-A, HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s, HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s, UMTS |
| SIM type: | Nano SIM |
Multimedia | |
|---|---|
| Headphones: | No 3.5mm jack |
| Speakers: | Earpiece, Multiple speakers |
| Features: | 32-Bit DAC, Dolby Atmos, aptX, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus |
| Screen mirroring: | Wireless screen share |
| Radio: | FM, Stereo, RDS |
| Additional microphone(s): | for Noise cancellation, Video recording |
Connectivity & Features | |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth: | 5.1 |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac, ax (Wi-Fi 6), dual-band; MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot |
| USB: | Type-C (reversible), USB 3.2 |
| Features: | Charging, Headphones port, OTG, Video out |
| Hearing aid compatible: | M3, T3 |
| Location: | GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, Galileo, BeiDou, Cell ID, Wi-Fi positioning |
| Sensors: | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Hall (for flip covers), Barometer |
| Other: | NFC, ANT+ |
Regulatory Approval | |
|---|---|
| FCC approval: | |
| Date approved: | Dec 22, 2020 |
| FCC ID value: | A3LSMG998U |
| Measured SAR: | |
| Head: | 0.77 W/kg |
| Body: | 1.02 W/kg |
| Simultaneous Transmission: | 1.59 W/kg |
| Wireless Router: | 1.16 W/kg |
| Phablet: | 3.15 W/kg |
Buyers information | |
|---|---|
| Price: | $ 1200 |
| In The Box: | C to C Data Cable, Ejection Pin |
Availability | |
|---|---|
| Jan 14, 2021 | |
| Officially announced: | Yes |
Despite our efforts to provide full and correct Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra specifications, there is always a possibility of admitting a mistake. If you see any wrong or incomplete data, please LET US KNOW.
If you are interested in using our specs commercially, check out our Phone specs database licensing page.
Alternative variants
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
with 256GB storage
| Differences from the main variant: | |
|---|---|
| Internal storage: | 256GB |
| Colors: | Phantom black |
| Price: | $ 1250 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
with 512GB storage
| Differences from the main variant: | |
|---|---|
| RAM: | 16GB |
| Internal storage: | 512GB |
| Colors: | Phantom black |
| Price: | $ 1380 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
SM-G998Bfor Europe
| Differences from the main variant: | |
|---|---|
| System chip: | Samsung Exynos 2100 (5 nm) |
| Processor: | Octa-core, 1x 2.91GHz Cortex-X1 + 3x 2.81GHz Cortex-A78 + 4x 2.2GHz Cortex-A55, 64-bit |
| GPU: | Mali G78 MP14 |
| Weight: | 8.01 oz (227.0 g) |
| 5G: | SA, NSA, Sub-6 |
| FCC approval: | |
| Date approved: | Dec 22, 2020 |
| FCC ID value: | A3LSMG998B |
| Measured SAR: | |
| Head: | 0.16 W/kg |
| Body: | 0.72 W/kg |
| Simultaneous Transmission: | 1.59 W/kg |
| Wireless Router: | 1.34 W/kg |
| Phablet: | 3.86 W/kg |
Carrier Availability
Available
| Since Jan 29, 2021 |
Discontinued
| Verizon | |
|---|---|
| T-Mobile | |
| U.S. Cellular | |
| Xfinity Mobile |
News
Links
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 Ultra: all reported differences
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra
- iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S21 Ultra: Can an aging Samsung flagship still be competitive?
- iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs S21 Ultra: Two Years of Difference!
- Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- OnePlus 9 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, a price war
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus vs Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S10 Plus
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
- Predecessor: Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra specs
Overall User Rating
(7 reviews)
8.7
Build quality
8.9
Camera quality
8.4
Performance
9.4
Display
9.6
Battery life and charging
8.6
Rating breakdown (out of 10)
Add Review
HelloThere21
9
2021's best flagship is 2022's great option; what I think after one year of usage.
Phone owned for more than a year
I originally switched from iPhone to Samsung in 2020. I was getting bored of iPhones and thought I'd try the Galaxy S20+. That phone was awesome, so when I saw the trade-in values on the Samsung site, I had to get the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
To summarize this device; It's Ultra. Everything about it is what you'd expect, and more. I've never been consistently impressed with a phone, especially after the novelty wares off. It's also improved a lot since launch, from better camera processing and shutter speed, to longer battery life. Overall, what we have here is one of the greatest Galaxies, and one of the greatest phones avaliable.
Read Full Review
TonyTostones
6
Good but not worth the price tag.
Phone owned for less than a year
Been using this Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra for 6 months and hace found its to be a good handset but just not worth the price tag. The phone is too large to use singlehandedly. I chose the Ultra over the plus for the upgraded camera. Six months in the camera has been somewhat disappointing. There's a S21+ in our household and the photos between them are not very different. The telephoto lenses on the ultra are a cool addition theoretically, but in use the super zoom is pretty unusable and grainy.
Read Full Review
-Gavin
8
Not entirely impressed
Phone owned for less than a year
Not owning a Samsung phone in the past, but seeing a friend's s-seris phone, I was impressed at the time with the phone overall, so when I went to get a new phone I had thought the Samsung phone would be a good choice.
I've owned 3 smart phones a $80 Walmart type phone, the Pixel 2, and this phone.
Out of all the phones I've owned, this phone is 2nd place, the frames strength is crap, they decided to ditch the sd card, the camera is disappointing, and it doesn't even come with a charger block depite the huge price.
Samsung's camera software is disappointing, if the software was better I'm sure these cameras would take better pictures, the zoom is cool, but for quick focusing, and just regular use I have a lot of pictures come out worse than on my pixel 2.
I dont understand why both speakers couldn't be in the front, and in screen finger print readers I prefer them on the back it's just more comfortable.
Im not entirely impressed with this phone, if you're thinking of getting one I recommend looking into it a bit before doing so to be sure you'll like it.
Read Full Review
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