Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
CAMERA: Good—7.8/10
SIZE: Largest Android
BATTERY: Fair—6.6/10
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a premium device with a high-quality camera setup, including a 108-megapixel main camera and a 10x optical zoom telephoto lens. Its large 6.8-inch curved OLED screen offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. The phone supports 5G connectivity and has a long-lasting 5000mAh battery. It runs on Android with the powerful Snapdragon 888 processor and comes with 128GB of storage. If you often take photos or videos, its camera capabilities are impressive, but if you're looking for something more budget-friendly, consider other models as this one is on the higher end of the price spectrum. The S21 Ultra lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack but does offer Wireless DeX for desktop-like functionality. It is built with glass and provides both face unlock and an under-display fingerprint sensor for security, but it doesn't include a stylus or offer an expandable storage option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Excellent camera with 10x optical zoom
- Bright OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate
- Long battery life with wireless charging
- Large 6.8-inch display for immersive experience
- Supports 8K and 4K video recording
Cons
- No headphone jack or expandable SD card storage
- Considerably heavy at 8.01 ounces
- Released in 2021, may not be latest model
- Expensive compared to other models
Ratings by Category
Overall Camera:4.3
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra showcases a formidable camera setup, earning a reputation for high-quality photo captures through its robust software experience and capacity for capturing dynamic range and low light situations. Additionally, the device stands out with its camera versatility, particularly with the inclusion of a telephoto lens that provides 10x optical zoom, elevating the detail and clarity possible in zoomed-in photography.
Photos:4.3
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra captures good photos due to its versatile camera system that excels in various shooting conditions and its robust photo processing software which enhances image quality. Furthermore, the phone performs well in dynamic range and low-light situations, while also providing high-quality selfies.
Performance:4.2
The Performance rating is based on GeekBench performance benchmark scores, combined with PerfectRec’s assessment of real-life typical use cases.
Videos:4.0
The Videos rating is based on PerfectRec’s assessment of a variety of factors including framerate at different resolutions, video stabilization, video dynamic range, video low-light performance, and mic quality, as well as software features, video processing quality, and ease of use.
Battery Life:3.6
The Battery Life rating is based on overall actual measured battery life during typical usage.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $423 | ||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | Android | ||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | ||
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | 6.8" | ||
Resolution | 3200 x 1440 | ||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | ||
Pixels Per Inch | 515 | ||
Display Type | OLED | ||
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | SD888 | ||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | ||
RAM | 12 GB | ||
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score  | 7.9/10 | ||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | ||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | ||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | ||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels + OIS | ||
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | ||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | ||
Wireless Charging | Yes | ||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | ||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | ||
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | 6.5" x 2.98" | ||
Weight | 8.01 oz | ||
Back Material | Glass | ||
Stereo Speakers | No | ||
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | Yes | ||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | ||
A2DP | Yes | ||
WiFi Version | 6e | ||
NFC | Yes | ||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | ||
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | ||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | ||
Color | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | ||
Stock Android | No | ||
SD Card | No | ||
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Comparison charts
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you may be interested in
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to similarly priced alternatives
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. Google Pixel 6a
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. Google Pixel 6
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. Google Pixel 6 Pro
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. OnePlus 9
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy A54
VS
FAQs
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
86,400
Recommendations made
48,960
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
Featured in
