Every year brings a fresh twist to an old question: is it better to continue with my current smartphone model or switch to the newest, most fashionable model? The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has put us in this position since it took over the Galaxy S20 Ultra as Samsung’s top-tier phone that isn’t technically a phablet (i.e., the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra). Building on the superb battery life, display, and software (among other things) of the S20 Ultra, this new model adds a speedier processor, an additional back camera lens, a revamped design, and support for the S Pen. In this guide, we will be doing a full comparison between the Galaxy S20 Ultra vs. the S21 Ultra in terms of specs, size, camera, and other things.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S20: Full Specs
Here is the full specification between the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S20:
| Galaxy S21 Ultra | Galaxy S20 Ultra | |
| Price at Launch (USD) | $800 | $1000 |
| Screen Size | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED (3200 x 1440; adaptive 10Hz–120Hz) | 6.9-inch AMOLED (3200 x 1440) 120Hz |
| CPU | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 865 |
| RAM | 12GB, 16GB | 12GB, 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| microSD | No | Yes |
| Mobile software | Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Rear cameras | 108MP (f/1.8) wide; 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide; 10MP (f/2.4) telephoto with 3x zoom; 10MP (f/4.9) telephoto with 10x zoom | 108MP (f/1.8) wide; 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide; 48MP (f/3.5) telephoto with 4x zoom |
| Front cameras | 40MP (f/2.2) | 40MP (f/2.2) |
| Battery size | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wireless | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, UWB | 5G, 802.11ac Wi-Fi |
| Size | 6.5 x 3 x 0.35 inches | 6.6 x 2.7 x 0.34 inches |
| Weight | 8.04 ounces | 7.7 ounces |
| Special features | IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, 5G-enabled, 30x Space Zoom, 10W wireless charging, 120Hz refresh rate | 5G enabled; 120Hz refresh rate; IP68 rating for water and dust resistance |
| Colors | Phantom Silver, Phantom Black, Phantom Navy (Samsung only), Phantom Titanium (Samsung only), and Phantom Brown (Samsung only) | Cosmic Black, Cosmic Gray |
Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S20 Ultra: Prices
For $1,199, you may purchase a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. That’s a drop of $200 from the original $1,399 asking price of the Galaxy S20 Ultra a year ago. Also, you can pay an additional $50 to increase your storage capacity to 256GB from the normal 128GB. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 512GB is available for $1,379, which is less than the $2,099 price of the Galaxy S20 Ultra base model.
Even though the Galaxy S21 Ultra has been released, Samsung has not revised the price of the Galaxy S20 Ultra. (When the S20 came out a year ago, Samsung quickly decreased the cost of the S10) Since the Galaxy S21 Ultra has been released, the price of the Galaxy S20 Ultra may have dropped in response.
Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S20 Ultra: Display
- S21 Ultra: 6.8-inch, Infinity-O, Adaptive 120Hz, S Pen support
- S20 Ultra: 6.9-inch, Infinity-O, 120Hz
Even though the S21 Ultra’s screen is smaller at 6.8 inches, it’s virtually identical to that of the S20 Ultra’s.
The S21 Ultra differs significantly from the S21 by virtue of its adaptive motion smoothing, despite the fact that both devices boast Quad HD+ resolutions of 3200 by 1440 pixels. The S21 Ultra can utilize a refresh rate of anywhere between 11 and 120 Hz, making it versatile enough to work with any type of media. There is no resolution cap on this refresh rate. The S20 Ultra supports 120 Hz at Full HD+ and 60 Hz at Quad HD+, unlike the S20.
That’s great news for individuals who don’t want to choose between the two options, but the real benefit of the adaptive setting is that it automatically adjusts the refresh rate to the material being displayed, which is great news for battery life.
As an added bonus, the S21 Ultra’s integrated Wacom digitizer makes it work with the S Pen. Though it won’t fit in the phone like the Note, it will accept pen input, making it more functional.
When it comes to the screen, the S21 Ultra is unquestionably superior.
S20 Ultra vs s21 Ultra: Camera
S21 Ultra:
- Main: 108MP, 0.8µm, f/1.8, laser autofocus, OIS
- Ultra-wide: 12MP, 1.4µm, f/2.2
- Telephoto #1: 10MP, 1.22 µm, f/4.9 (10x)
- Telephoto #2: 10MP, 1.22 µm, f/2.4 (3x)
- Selfie: 40MP, f/2.2
S20 Ultra:
- Main: 108MP, 0.8µm, f/1.8, OIS
- Ultra-wide: 12MP, 1.4µm, f/2.2
- Telephoto: 48MP, 0.8µm, f/3.5, OIS; 10X Hybrid Optic Zoom
- Selfie: 40MP
In the Samsung Ultra model, the camera takes center stage, and its many features are extensive. We can get rid of the obvious differences right away: both have a single 40-megapixel front-facing camera, and it appears that the ultra-wide-angle lens is also the same.
The primary 108-megapixel camera has been updated with a new generation of sensors to boost performance in areas like color reproduction and dynamic range. With laser autofocus like the Note 20 Ultra, the S20 Ultra’s focus difficulties should be resolved and its usability improved.
Another difference is the S21 Ultra’s provision of not one but two telephoto cameras, as opposed to the S20 Ultra’s single provision of this functionality. The 3x optical and 10x optical zooms are designed to facilitate this goal. The S20 Ultra was notable for its massive zoom, and the S21 Ultra ups the ante by including separate lenses for mid and long-range shooting.
Of course, computational photography will contribute significantly to the advancement of this area, but with the help of software upgrades, many of the camera functions on these smartphones are essentially the same.
Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S20 Ultra: Performance, Battery Life, and Charging
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, which is more powerful than the Snapdragon 865 found in the S20 Ultra, powers the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The main reason for this is that it makes use of smaller transistors than the 865 (5nm as opposed to 7nm), which results in more efficient operation. While there may be a noticeable difference, using the S20 Ultra is a breeze with its large 12GB of RAM.
However, the S20 Ultra includes a microSD card slot. Yes, such a slot isn’t exactly cutting-edge, but the S21 Ultra doesn’t have one; if you buy the standard model (at $1,200), you’ll only get 128GB of internal memory; if you spend an extra $50 or $130, you’ll get 256GB or 512GB. However, the S20 Ultra supports microSD cards up to 1TB in size, which must be purchased separately.
When it comes to battery life, both phones are rather comparable because they include a 5,000 mAh unit. Even when using the S20 Ultra’s 120Hz refresh rate continuously, our review revealed that it lasted for a full day of use. The same is true for the S21 Ultra. However, a charger is not included in the box with the S21 Ultra, so you will need to provide your own or purchase one separately. Unlike the S21 Ultra, the S20 Ultra includes a charger; however, it also supports 45W fast charging (in addition to 25W fast charging), which requires the purchase of a separate charger.
The S21 Ultra is the quicker of the two, but the S20 Ultra wins thanks to its built-in charging port and microSD card slot.
Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S20 Ultra: Hardware and Specs
- S21 Ultra: Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, 12/16GB RAM, 128/256/512GB, 5000mAh
- S20 Ultra: Exynos 990 or Snapdragon 865, 12/16GB RAM, 128/512GB storage + microSD, 5000mAh
Compared to its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts superior hardware. Depending on where you buy your phone, you may get either the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or the Exynos 2100. In comparison to earlier Exynos hardware, the Exynos 2100 is much more similar to the Snapdragon 888. This means that Samsung’s performance is once again competitive with Qualcomm’s, and the company is making a lot of noise about this.
This hardware is an upgrade above the Exynos 990 or Snapdragon 865 found in the S20 Ultra. Increased performance, increased power, and improved efficiency are just some of the benefits of the new 5nm hardware.
Battery capacity remains at 5000 mAh, and there is no change to RAM or internal storage on the S21 Ultra. With the S21 Ultra, the connection has been tweaked somewhat to include compatibility for Wi-Fi 6E and UWB (ultra wide-band). As a result, you’ll have access to features like digital car keys that the S20 Ultra can’t provide.
The S21 Ultra’s primary system on chip has been upgraded from its predecessor, which is the biggest change in terms of hardware.
Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S20 Ultra: Design, Screen Size and Weight
When comparing the screens of the Galaxy S21 and S20, you’ll find a lot of similarities. Both have in-display fingerprint scanners and 120Hz refresh rates on their 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED panels. The S21 has a pixel density of 421 ppi, while the S20 has a density of 563 ppi; therefore, the variations are not huge. The S21 weighs in at 6.03 ounces, while the S20 tips the scales at 5.75.
It also appears that the two phones are very similar in terms of aesthetics. The S21’s metal overlay distinguishes the back camera module from that of the S10. Both handsets have a dust and water resistance rating of IP68. Neither of the two phones supports a headset.
Also, the Galaxy S21 is available in phantom violet, phantom gray, phantom pink, and phantom white (along with additional colors in the S21 Plus and Ultra variants). The Galaxy S20 is offered in four different colors: cloud gray, cloud blue, cloud pink, and cloud black.
Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S20 Ultra: Special Features
When it comes to compatibility with 5G networks, both the S21 Ultra and S20 Ultra have you covered.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S21 Ultra introduces a S Pen, a feature never before seen on a phone in the S series. This is Samsung’s original and exclusive stylus, and it has only been compatible (in a smartphone) with the Note line. Despite some limitations (such as the lack of Bluetooth support for motions), the S21 Ultra may be used for all the most common S Pen-related activities, such as taking notes, marking up documents, and sketching or drawing.
Additionally, the S21 Ultra introduces Director View, which allows you to switch between the various rear cameras while shooting film by tapping on thumbnails showing each camera’s feed, and Vlogger’s View, which allows you to shoot using the front and rear cameras at the same time.
Although the S21 Ultra has improved in some ways over its predecessor, the S20 Ultra, the S21 Ultra is lacking in one key area: it does not have a charger. If you’ve had a recent Galaxy S phone, this isn’t an issue, but if you haven’t, you’ll have to shell out approximately $25 for an official Samsung charger.
Despite this misstep, the S21 Ultra does come out on top when it comes to advanced features, mostly thanks to its newly added support for the S Pen.
Which Samsung Phone Is Better Than the S20 Ultra?
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is a better phone than the S20 Ultra. The Galaxy S20 Ultra was notable for having a top-notch camera. Yet, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a robust and adaptable camera, as we observed in our assessment. It’s perfect in every way and will undoubtedly be a top-tier photography phone by 2024.
Which iPhone Is Better Than Samsung S21?
The iPhone 13 is better than the Samsung S21. When it comes to performance, both tools have more than enough muscle to deal with whatever you can throw at them. The iPhone 13 is the best choice, though, if you require the most processing power available in a smartphone.
The Snapdragon 888, the most advanced mobile processor available as of 2021, powers the Galaxy S21. It’s potent, and it has a lot of benefits for computer vision and imaging. We were unable to slow it down in testing, but it seems that other people have succeeded. Every year without fail, Apple’s A-series chip outperforms whatever Snapdragon has released as the industry standard for smartphones. Also, the A15 Bionic processor in the iPhone 13 is no different.
In comparison to the Snapdragon 888, this CPU is significantly more powerful, and it continues to hold the title of the fastest smartphone microprocessor on the market. It leaves lots of potential for expansion in the future, so its performance won’t degrade as time goes on. This allows Apple to keep updating the iPhone 13’s software long after the S21 has ceased getting upgrades.
In terms of storage, the situation is less than ideal. Unlike the S21, which tops out at 256GB of storage, Apple’s gadget supports configurations with up to 512GB of storage. Furthermore, neither gadget supports external storage via microSD card.
The iPhone is the ideal option for individuals who care most about the performance of their future smartphone because its processor is so robust. Even though Samsung has more RAM than Apple, the iPhone still provides superior day-to-day performance.
Is It Worth Upgrading From S20 Ultra to S21 Ultra?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is an upgrade over the S20 Ultra, despite a few setbacks. There is neither a MicroSD card nor a charger included. It has an enhanced dual-telephoto lens arrangement, an adaptive refresh rate, and support for the S Pen, in addition to a slick new design. It also uses a speedier processor, and while it lacks a MicroSD card slot, this isn’t a deal-breaker since many users don’t actually use their cards.
However, the S20 Ultra could be a good buy if you can get it for less money than the S21 Ultra. You wouldn’t be missing out on anything by skipping a generation and continuing to use this device, as it is still highly functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S20 Ultra: Bottom line
You probably won’t want to spend another $1,400 on the Galaxy S21 Ultra if you just spent $1,399 on the Galaxy S20 Ultra. The new phone is $200 cheaper, which must hurt. However, the enhancements are noticeable in total.
The S21 Ultra has a 120Hz display that’s brighter and more responsive, and its cameras are more flexible and powerful. You can anticipate enhanced low-light performance and a stronger (and steadier) zoom. If you don’t want to wait for the Galaxy Note 21’s release later this year, the device’s support for the S Pen is a definite plus.
Although the S21 Ultra’s lack of a microSD card slot and included charger are both disappointing, the device appears to be an improvement over the S20 Ultra.
S20 Ultra vs S21 Ultra FAQs
Why is S20 more expensive than S21?
The reason is the declining cost of 5G infrastructure. At $799.99 for the base model, Samsung’s Galaxy S21 smartphones are $200 cheaper than the Galaxy S20 line. The Galaxy S21 phones aren’t inferior or lacking in any way.
Which S20 model has the best camera?
In the majority of shooting situations, the S20 and S20+ main cameras will produce images that are clearer and more accurate than the S20 Ultra’s combined 12 megapixels of pixels. The S20 Ultra’s 108-megapixel mode can capture more detail, although the primary cameras on the S20 and S20+ may produce better images in most situations.
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