Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Review

Key Features

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, launched on January 29, 2021, is a flagship smartphone featuring a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. It’s powered by the Exynos 2100 chipset (international variant), has a versatile quad-camera system with 108MP main sensor and dual telephoto lenses, and boasts a large 5000mAh battery. It runs Android OS, with an initial version of Android 11 and support up to Android 15. The device includes 5G connectivity, NFC, and a robust suite of features.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Stunning Display: The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, with a peak brightness of 1500 nits, making it excellent for both indoor and outdoor use. HDR10+ provides an enhanced viewing experience for compatible content.
• Powerful Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset paired with up to 16GB of RAM (depending on the configuration) delivers top-tier performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
• Versatile Camera System: The quad-camera setup provides exceptional image quality across various scenarios, from detailed 108MP shots to impressive zoom capabilities with the dual telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical zoom). The device offers 8K video recording with HDR and EIS, as well as various slow-motion recording options.
• Large Battery: The 5000mAh battery ensures all-day usage for most users. The device also supports 25W fast charging, as well as 15W wireless charging and 9W reverse wireless charging capabilities.
• Premium Build Quality: The phone has a sturdy build, with a focus on premium materials and sleek design. The inclusion of Gorilla Glass Victus offers impressive scratch resistance.
• 5G connectivity and features: The device offers robust 5G connectivity, coupled with Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2, including all the standard high-end connection features.

Cons:

• Price: The S21 Ultra 5G falls into the medium to high price range, making it less accessible for budget-conscious consumers.
• No Charger Included: The device does not come with a charger in the box, requiring an additional purchase.
• Weight and Size: The phone is quite heavy (227g) and large, which may not be comfortable for all users, especially for one-handed operation.
• Exynos Chipset: While powerful, the Exynos chipset's performance and thermal management can vary slightly compared to Qualcomm Snapdragon variants in some regions, and it can be an issue in terms of power efficiency.
• No SD Card Support: The lack of a microSD card slot limits storage expansion options.

User Experience

The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a fluid and responsive user experience. The 120Hz display makes navigation and scrolling smooth, while the powerful processor ensures that apps launch quickly and run without stutter. The camera app is feature-rich and easy to use, allowing for great results with minimal effort. The device's size can make it slightly cumbersome for some, particularly those with smaller hands, but the display quality and performance benefits typically outweigh this. The software (One UI on top of Android) offers a wide range of customization options and features, but also includes some bloatware which might be a nuisance for some users.

Hardware & Design

The S21 Ultra 5G measures 165.1 mm in height, 75.6 mm in width, and 8.9 mm in depth, weighing in at 227 grams. The phone sports a premium design featuring an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus front and back. The camera module is seamlessly integrated into the device’s design. The device boasts a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 1440 x 3200 pixel resolution and 515 PPI, providing sharp and vibrant visuals. The under-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable. It features dual SIM support, USB Type-C 3.2 with OTG, and offers stereo speakers tuned by AKG, supporting Dolby Atmos. The lack of an SD card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack are notable omissions.

The international version of the phone is equipped with an Exynos 2100 (5nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) and a Mali-G78 MP14 GPU. The device comes with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM (LPDDR5), and offers 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. It includes various sensors including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer, and a hall sensor. The device does not have a cooling system or gaming buttons.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G remains a highly capable device with an excellent display, top-tier performance, and a versatile camera system. Despite its high price and some minor drawbacks, such as the lack of an included charger, the device delivers a premium experience that will satisfy demanding users. Its robust connectivity options, long battery life and advanced camera features justify its position in the flagship tier. The phone's main strengths lie in its stunning display, powerful processor, and versatile camera, making it a compelling option for users who prioritize these aspects. The lack of a microSD slot, and a headphone jack, coupled with the considerable weight of the device might be points to consider for certain users.