1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 162.3 × 79 × 8.6 mm | The S21 Ultra is taller but narrower and thicker, while the S24 Ultra is shorter, wider, and thinner. S24 Ultra might feel more substantial in hand; the difference in thickness is negligible. |
| Weight | 227g | 232g | S21 Ultra is slightly lighter. A 5g difference is unlikely to be noticeable for most users. |
| Build | Not provided | Not provided | The S24 Ultra features a titanium frame, which may improve durability and scratch resistance compared to aluminum on the S21 Ultra. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Both phones offer the same large screen size, ideal for media consumption, gaming and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1440x3120 | Very similar resolution; The difference is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday usage. |
| PPI | 515 | 505 | Similar pixel density, both delivering sharp, crisp visuals. The difference is negligible to the human eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Not specified | S21 Ultra has an AMOLED display with superior contrast, black levels and color reproduction. S24 Ultra is also expected to have an AMOLED display. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations making the experience feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 2600 nits | The S24 Ultra has significantly higher peak brightness, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight and outdoor environments. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The S24 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance compared to the Exynos 2100. |
| Antutu Score | 749,000 | 1,814,869 | The S24 Ultra scores over 142% higher, indicating a huge leap in performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 750 | The S24 Ultra’s Adreno 750 offers superior graphics performance, making it better suited for demanding games and GPU-intensive tasks. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity suggests comparable battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 45W fast charging | S24 Ultra has faster charging capabilities, significantly reducing charging times. |
| Features | Reverse charging, 15W Wireless charging, 9W Reverse wireless charging, No charger in-box | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | Both support reverse and wireless charging. The S24 Ultra offers bypass charging for a cooler operation while gaming or using power-hungry applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.8µm | 200MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3", 1.00µm | S24 Ultra's main camera captures more detail, performs better in low light and has a wider aperture for better background blur. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | 50MP, f/2.4, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | S24 Ultra captures much sharper telephoto/portrait images with larger sensor for better low light performance. |
| Selfie | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", 0.70µm | 12MP, f/2.2, Pixel Size Not Provided | S21 Ultra has a higher resolution selfie camera, however the pixel size of the S24 Ultra is missing. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", 1.22µm | 10MP, f/3.4, 1/3.52", 1.12µm | S24 Ultra's telephoto has wider aperture, but smaller sensor. S21 Ultra will have more zoomed detail in good lighting due to bigger sensor and smaller aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm (Wide Angle + Macro) | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | Both phones have ultra-wide lenses, but the S21 Ultra also has macro capabilities |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, 1080p@240fps | The S24 Ultra supports 4K video at 120fps providing smoother high-quality video; Both phones capture high quality footage with HDR and EIS. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 115, Selfie: 135 | Mobile: 144, Selfie: N/A | S24 Ultra has a significantly better score, especially in video performance; S21 Ultra is untested for mobile camera. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 14 (upgradable to 21) | S24 Ultra has a newer version of Android, ensuring a more modern experience, and longer software support. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E | S24 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 6E, offering potentially faster speeds and lower latency on compatible networks, access to 6GHz band, reduced interference |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 LE | S24 Ultra uses Bluetooth 5.3 offering slightly improved efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | S24 Ultra supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy in more varied environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM / eSIM) | S24 Ultra offers eSIM support, providing more flexibility for travel and carrier switching. |
Storage, Audio & Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 256/512/1024GB | S24 Ultra offers 1TB, which will be suitable for users with large media collections. |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 12GB | S21 Ultra has an optional 16GB RAM variant, that may be preferred by power users. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | S21 Ultra delivers superior audio quality due to Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones provide similar biometric security through a basic fingerprint scanner. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | S24 Ultra offers stronger screen protection, reducing the risk of damage from scratches. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive Suite | Comprehensive Suite | Both devices have a full array of sensors for a comprehensive experience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages
- Optional 16GB RAM: Offers potentially better multitasking for power users.
- Hi-Res Audio & Dolby Atmos: Provides an enhanced audio experience, with clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion
- Wider Aperture and larger sensor on the telephoto lens - Better quality zoom in daylight conditions
- Lower price: Older phone = lower price on the second hand market
- Selfie Camera: Higher resolution sensor than the S24 Ultra, which may deliver more detail.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens: More versatile ultra-wide camera that also takes macro photos
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Higher power of 9W compared to 4.5W of the S24 Ultra
- Night Mode: Has standard night mode.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Advantages
- Significantly Faster Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset offers a huge performance boost, noticeable in all tasks.
- Much Brighter Display: The 2600 nits screen makes it much more usable in bright outdoor conditions.
- Superior Main Camera: Higher resolution, larger sensor, and wider aperture for better image quality.
- Significantly better Telephoto camera: Larger sensor and 50MP resolution captures more details with better low-light performance
- Much Faster Charging: 45W charging is substantially quicker, reducing waiting times.
- Newer Android Version: Longer software support and access to the latest features.
- Better Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 offer improved speed and efficiency.
- eSIM support: More flexibility for travel and carrier switching.
- 1TB storage: Ideal for users with large media libraries or needing maximum storage space.
- Night Mode 2.0: New and improved night mode processing.
- Bypass Charging: Allows to bypass battery for cooler operation when gaming or using demanding apps.
- Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Armor provides superior scratch resistance.
- Overall Superior Camera: DxOMark scores show significant improvements over the S21 Ultra
- Wide Angle lens: Has a dedicated wide-angle lens.
Trade-offs
- S21 Ultra: Sacrifices raw performance, display brightness, and camera quality for a potentially lower price. Has no eSIM.
- S24 Ultra: Higher price and lacks the 16GB RAM option and may not have as high quality zoom in daylight as S21 Ultra, and does not have Dolby Atmos/Hi-Res Audio.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- Ideal User: Users who want a flagship-level experience with good cameras, audio quality, and display while prioritising budget, or seeking a phone with a 16GB RAM variant.
- Use Cases:
- Daily usage, media consumption, photography
- Users who prioritize a good audio experience, or do not need the absolute top-tier performance.
- Users who value macro photography or who frequently use the zoom feature in good lighting
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Ideal User: Power users seeking top-tier performance, cutting-edge technology, and the best camera system available.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, professional photography, and videography
- Users who need the best possible outdoor visibility
- Users who require future proofing, and want longer software support
- Users who desire eSIM functionality and 1TB storage
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions potential buyers should ask themselves:
How important is top-tier performance and future-proofing?
- If you need the absolute best performance and intend to use the phone for several years, the S24 Ultra is the clear choice due to its much more powerful processor and longer software support.
How critical is display brightness in outdoor conditions?
- If you live in a sunny area or frequently use your phone outdoors, the S24 Ultra’s higher peak brightness makes a significant difference.
What is your budget and does the performance boost justify the price difference?
- If the S21 Ultra is significantly cheaper and you are happy to sacrifice the latest features, then it may be more than adequate for your needs.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If budget is the primary concern, or if high audio quality is critical, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G provides a still excellent experience at a reduced price.
- Performance Enthusiast: For those who demand the absolute best performance, screen visibility, and want top quality photos and videos in a large variety of lighting conditions, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better investment.
- Photography Lover: Users who value a good camera system will be better served by the S24 Ultra due to its significantly improved sensors and superior DxOMark scores.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would opt for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
While the S21 Ultra offers great value, the performance jump, superior main and telephoto camera, much better screen brightness, faster charging, and updated software on the S24 Ultra is significant. I would consider the improved day-to-day experience worth the price difference, as it would allow for smoother operations and more future-proofing, while I would benefit from the significantly improved camera system for both photo and video. The 2600 nits screen brightness is also a big deal for anyone that spends time outdoors.
