Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Galaxy S21 Ultra Review
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a legendary battery and a powerful camera, but time hasn't been kind to its value. At $1200, you can do better.
The 30-Second Version
A battery king with a great camera, but wildly overpriced for its age. Only buy if you find it for half its asking price.
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a power user's dream phone that's starting to show its age. The one thing you need to know is this: it's a battery and camera champion from a few years back, but you're paying a premium for last-gen tech. At $1200, that's a tough sell unless you find a killer deal. It's fast, it lasts forever, and the camera zoom is still wild, but the design feels a bit chunky and the software is a few versions behind.
Performance
The performance is still top-tier, landing in the 95th percentile. The Snapdragon 888 and 12GB of RAM handle everything you throw at it without a hiccup. What surprised us was the battery life, sitting in the 97th percentile. That 5000mAh battery is a tank, and it's the main reason this phone still feels relevant. You'll easily get through a heavy day and then some.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Battery life is absolutely elite. This thing lasts. 97th
- Camera system is versatile, and that 100x zoom is still a party trick. 96th
- Raw performance is fantastic for any task. 95th
- Display is gorgeous and bright. 90th
Cons
- It's expensive for a phone that's a few generations old.
- The design is bulky and heavy at 229g.
- You're stuck on older Android versions.
- 128GB base storage feels tight for a 'Ultra' phone in 2025.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.8 |
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 |
Performance
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Processor Model | Snapdragon 888 |
| CPU Cores | 8 |
| CPU Speed | 2.84 |
| RAM | 12 MB |
| Storage | 128 GB |
Camera
| Main Camera | 108 |
| Front Camera | 40 |
| Video | 8K |
Battery & Charging
| Battery | 5000 Wh |
| Connector | Type-C |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
| NFC | No |
| USB | Type-C |
| SIM | Nano SIM |
Design & Build
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
| Face Recognition | No |
| OS | Android 11 |
Value & Pricing
At its current $1200 price, the value is poor. You're paying near-flagship money for last year's (or the year before's) flagship. It only makes sense if you find it heavily discounted, like in the $700-$800 range. At that point, the stellar battery and camera become much more compelling.
vs Competition
Compared to the newer Google Pixel 10, you're trading AI smarts, a cleaner software experience, and likely better low-light photos for the S21 Ultra's superior battery life and more versatile zoom. Against something like the OnePlus 15, you'd get a much newer, faster chip and probably better value, but you'd lose out on the Samsung's camera polish and wireless charging if that's your thing. The S21 Ultra feels like it's competing in a different era.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Galaxy S21 Ultra | Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 SM-S948UZKEXAA | Motorola Moto G PB6V0014US | Google Google Pixel 10 GA09899-US | OnePlus OnePlus 15 5011116281 | Apple Unlocked iPhone 15/15 Plus MTLY3LL/A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.8 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.1 |
| Display Type | - | OLED | AMOLED | OLED | OLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 60 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform | 3.78 GHz | 8 Elite Gen 5 | A16 |
| RAM (GB) | 12 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 16 | - |
| Storage (GB) | 128 | 512 | 1024 | 256 | 512 | 128 |
| Rear Camera Mp | 108 | 200 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 48 |
| Front Camera Mp | 40 | 12 | 32 | 42 | 32 | - |
| Battery Capacity Mah | 5000 | 5000 | 5000 | 4870 | 7300 | - |
| Charging Wattage | - | 60 | 68 | - | - | - |
| Wireless Charging | - | true | true | false | - | - |
| Five (g) | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | - | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | - |
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 16 | Android 15 | Android 16 | Android 16 | iPadOS 17 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
Common Questions
Q: Is this phone actually new, or is it refurbished?
Based on the retailer listing, this is sold as a brand new, unlocked US version. Just double-check the seller's rating before you click buy.
Q: Will this work with my carrier?
Yes, it's the unlocked US model, so it should work on all major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Pop your SIM in and go.
Q: Is 128GB enough storage?
For most people, yes, but if you take a ton of 8K video or download massive games, you might feel the pinch. There's no storage expansion, so choose wisely.
Who Should Skip This
If you want the latest software, a sleek modern design, or the best value for your dollar, this isn't it. Go get a Google Pixel 10 or a discounted Galaxy S23 instead. You'll be happier.
Verdict
We can't recommend buying this at full price. It's a fantastic phone that was let down by time and Samsung's own rapid release cycle. If you absolutely need the best battery life and a crazy zoom camera from the Samsung ecosystem, and you find it for a deep discount, go for it. For everyone else, put that $1200 towards a newer Pixel, a Galaxy S23/S24 series phone on sale, or even last year's OnePlus flagship. You'll get more for your money.