The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, released in early 2021, has remained one of the most celebrated flagship devices in Samsungās Galaxy lineup. Known for its powerful performance, exceptional camera capabilities, and premium design, the S21 Ultra set a new standard in the world of smartphones. This article provides an in-depth review of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, covering everything from its display and camera to performance, battery life, and overall value, helping you decide if this is still a worthy device to consider in the ever-evolving smartphone market.
1. Design and Build Quality
The S21 Ultra is designed with premium materials, featuring a sleek metal frame and Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back, offering durability and an upscale feel. With its large 6.8-inch display, the phone is substantial in size and weight, weighing around 228 grams, which may feel hefty for some users but adds a solid, robust quality.
A standout aspect of the design is the unique camera bump that seamlessly integrates into the metal frame, giving the phone a more cohesive and polished look compared to other models. Available in sophisticated color options like Phantom Black and Phantom Silver, as well as exclusive colors on Samsungās website, the S21 Ultra has a refined appearance that appeals to users seeking a high-end aesthetic.
2. Display: A Visual Masterpiece
The display on the Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of its most impressive features. Samsung equipped this device with a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, which delivers stunning visuals with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels (WQHD+). This is the first device from Samsung to offer both a 120Hz refresh rate and WQHD+ resolution simultaneously, allowing users to experience ultra-smooth visuals without sacrificing detail.
With a peak brightness of 1,500 nits, the screen is exceptionally bright and easy to view even under direct sunlight. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and HDR10+ support enhances video playback, making the display perfect for streaming, gaming, and general use. The adaptive refresh rate, which ranges from 10Hz to 120Hz, ensures a balance between smooth performance and battery efficiency by adjusting the refresh rate according to the activity, conserving power when a high refresh rate isnāt necessary.
3. Camera System: A Photographerās Dream
The Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts one of the most advanced camera systems available in a smartphone. The quad-camera setup includes:
- 108 MP Wide Camera: This primary sensor captures incredibly detailed photos with vivid colors and sharpness, particularly in well-lit conditions. With advanced pixel-binning technology, it can combine pixels for improved low-light performance, resulting in clear images even in challenging lighting.
- 12 MP Ultra-Wide Camera: The ultra-wide lens provides a 120-degree field of view, ideal for landscape shots, group photos, and artistic wide-angle perspectives. It also includes a super steady mode, reducing shake in videos.
- 10 MP Telephoto Lenses (3x and 10x Optical Zoom): The S21 Ultra is the first Galaxy device to feature two dedicated telephoto lenses, one with 3x and another with 10x optical zoom. With these lenses, the phone can achieve up to 100x Space Zoom, which has improved stabilization and clarity over previous models. The dual telephoto setup allows for versatile zoom capabilities, maintaining impressive detail even at longer ranges.
The camera software complements the hardware with features like enhanced Night Mode, Single Take (which captures a variety of photos and video clips with one press of the shutter), and Directorās View, which lets users switch between lenses while recording, providing more creative control.
The front-facing camera is also a powerhouse at 40 MP, enabling sharp and high-resolution selfies and 4K video recording. The S21 Ultraās camera system is a great choice for both photography enthusiasts and casual users who want top-tier photo and video quality.
4. Performance: Powered by Exynos 2100 and Snapdragon 888
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (in the U.S.) or Samsungās own Exynos 2100 (in other regions). Both processors are built on a 5nm architecture, offering substantial improvements in performance and energy efficiency over previous generations. The phone also offers 12GB or 16GB of RAM, making it one of the fastest devices on the market, capable of handling intensive multitasking, gaming, and app usage with ease.
Users can expect smooth performance across the board, from launching apps to running graphically demanding games. The S21 Ultra supports Samsungās Game Booster mode, which optimizes CPU and GPU performance during gaming sessions to minimize lag and heat, providing a better gaming experience.
5. Battery Life and Charging
The S21 Ultra is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which is ample for a full day of heavy usage. Thanks to the adaptive refresh rate and power-efficient processor, users can enjoy extended battery life, even with the 120Hz refresh rate enabled. With moderate usage, the phone can comfortably last a full day, and lighter users may find they can stretch the battery across two days.
The device supports 25W fast wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging. Although the charging speed is adequate, it falls short of some competitors that offer faster charging capabilities. One notable change in this model is that Samsung chose to exclude the charging brick from the box, citing environmental reasons, which means users will need to purchase one separately if they donāt already own a compatible charger.
6. Software and Features
The Galaxy S21 Ultra runs on Samsungās One UI, which is based on Android. One UI offers a user-friendly interface with customizable features, making it easy to tailor the experience to individual preferences. Samsung has included several unique software features, such as Samsung DeX, which allows users to connect their phone to a monitor for a desktop-like experience, and Bixby, Samsungās voice assistant.
Samsung also ensured compatibility with the S Pen, making the S21 Ultra the first Galaxy S device to support this feature. Though the S Pen is not included with the phone, users can purchase it separately and use it to take notes, navigate, and draw. While it lacks Bluetooth capabilities like the S Pen on the Galaxy Note series, itās a great addition for users who enjoy using a stylus.
7. Price and Value
The Galaxy S21 Ultra was launched with a premium price tag, and while it has come down in cost since its release, it remains an investment. However, considering its advanced features, cutting-edge technology, and durable build quality, the S21 Ultra offers considerable value. This phone is ideal for users who seek a top-of-the-line device and are willing to pay a premium for a phone that excels in performance, photography, and display quality.
8. Pros and Cons of the Galaxy S21 Ultra
Pros:
- Stunning 6.8-inch WQHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Powerful camera system with dual telephoto lenses and 108 MP main camera
- Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 processors
- Long battery life and multiple charging options
- S Pen support for added versatility
- Durable build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus and IP68 water resistance
Cons:
- Heavy and large, may not be comfortable for all users
- No expandable storage (no microSD card slot)
- Charging brick not included in the box
- Charging speeds are slower than some competitors
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra remains a standout device that offers a blend of premium design, powerful performance, and a versatile camera setup that appeals to a wide range of users. Although it may be overkill for some, this phone is an excellent choice for tech enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone who values a high-performance device. With its feature-rich design and robust build quality, the Galaxy S21 Ultra proves that Samsungās flagship phones continue to set benchmarks in the industry, making it a worthy consideration even as newer models enter the market.
