Samsung S21 Ultra vs S23 Ultra – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra & Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra rather than the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. 

Why Do I Recommend The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

  • The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that accelerates multitasking, boosts gaming frame rates, and extends battery life, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s Snapdragon 888.
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features a 200 MP main camera sensor that captures finer detail and brighter low-light photos while enabling 8K video at 30 fps, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 108 MP unit.
  • It includes a built-in Bluetooth-enabled S Pen with an internal charging silo that keeps the stylus always on hand for note-taking and remote camera control, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has separate, non-Bluetooth S Pen with no storage.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with UFS 4.0 storage that doubles read-and-write speeds for quicker app launches and large file transfers, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s UFS 3.1 memory.
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra supports 45 W wired charging that replenishes its 5 000 mAh battery in about an hour, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 25 W ceiling.
  • It has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel that reaches 1 750 nits peak brightness for better outdoor readability and more efficient adaptive refresh, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 1 500 nits screen.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection that withstands drops onto rough surfaces more effectively to reduce repair risk, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s Gorilla Glass Victus.
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra includes LPDDR5X RAM that delivers higher bandwidth and lower power draw for smoother multitasking and AR experiences, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s LPDDR5 memory.

Maybe the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23 UltraSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Operating System (Launch)Android 13Android 11
ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4nm)Snapdragon 888 (5nm) / Exynos 2100 (5nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 660 / Mali-G78 MP14
RAM TypeLPDDR5XLPDDR5
Storage TypeUFS 4.0UFS 3.1
Storage Options256GB / 512GB / 1TB128GB / 256GB / 512GB
S Pen SupportBuilt-in with silo & Bluetooth LESupported, no built-in silo
Main Rear Camera200 MP108 MP
Front Camera12 MP40 MP
Peak Display Brightness1750 nits1500 nits
Display ProtectionGorilla Glass Victus 2Gorilla Glass Victus
Display Resolution3088 x 14403200 x 1440
Wired Charging Speed45W25W
Bluetooth Version5.35.1
Weight234g229g
Software SupportAndroid 17 + 5 years securityAndroid 15 (final) + 4 years security
Video Recording (Main)8K@30fps8K@24fps
Color Options (Varied)Green, Phantom Black, Lavender, CreamPhantom Black, Phantom Silver, Navy, Brown, Titanium
PriceCheck S23 Ultra PriceCheck S21 Ultra Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display: Both phones use Samsung’s high-end Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, delivering vibrant colors, deep contrast, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and HDR10+ support. Whether gaming or streaming, the visual experience is stunning and smooth on both.
  • Same Size Display: Both feature a 6.8-inch screen, giving users a large canvas for content consumption, multitasking, and S Pen use (supported on both).
  • Battery Capacity: Each device includes a 5000 mAh battery, supporting extended use for productivity, gaming, and media throughout the day without needing a recharge.
  • Wireless and Reverse Charging: Both phones support 15W fast wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging (PowerShare), allowing users to top up accessories like Galaxy Buds or another phone.
  • Dual Telephoto Lens Setup: Both models have a pair of 10 MP telephoto cameras—one with 3x optical zoom and another with 10x optical periscope zoom—enabling high-quality optical zoom without digital loss.
  • Ultra-Wide Camera: A 12 MP ultra-wide lens with a 120° field of view is available on both, making it easy to capture landscape shots or group photos without distortion.
  • IP68 Water and Dust Resistance: Both phones are IP68 certified, meaning they’re safe from dust and can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
  • Stereo Audio System: AKG-tuned stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos are included in both devices, providing immersive, loud, and clear audio for movies, games, and calls.
  • 5G and Wi-Fi 6E: Despite their different release years, both flagships support full 5G networks and Wi-Fi 6E for high-speed connectivity.
  • No microSD or Headphone Jack: Neither device includes a microSD card slot or a 3.5mm headphone jack, signaling Samsung’s long-term shift toward internal storage and wireless audio.
  • Under-Display Fingerprint Scanner: Both use ultrasonic fingerprint sensors embedded under the screen, known for being secure and fast.
  • One UI Software Experience: While launched with different versions, both devices support Samsung’s One UI ecosystem, with regular feature-rich updates and a consistent interface across devices.

Common Features

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23 UltraSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Build QualityAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass front & backAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass front & back
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
Screen Size6.8 inches6.8 inches
Battery Capacity5000 mAh5000 mAh
Wireless Charging15W Qi Wireless Charging15W Qi Wireless Charging
Reverse Wireless ChargingWireless PowerShareWireless PowerShare
Rear Telephoto CamerasDual 10 MP TelephotoDual 10 MP Telephoto
Ultra-Wide Camera12 MP Ultra-Wide12 MP Ultra-Wide
IP RatingIP68 Dust/Water ResistantIP68 Dust/Water Resistant
Stereo SpeakersYesYes
No microSD SlotNo expandable storageNo expandable storage
BiometricsUltrasonic Under-Display FingerprintUltrasonic Under-Display Fingerprint
Connectivity5G, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, USB-C5G, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, USB-C
One UI ExperienceSamsung One UISamsung One UI
No 3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
Price Check S23 Ultra Price Check S21 Ultra Price

FAQ

Does the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra have better performance than the S21 Ultra?
Yes, the S23 Ultra features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, a 4nm processor that significantly outperforms the 5nm Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 in the S21 Ultra, resulting in faster app launches, better gaming performance, and improved battery efficiency.

Is the camera on the S23 Ultra better than the S21 Ultra?
Yes, the S23 Ultra has a new 200MP primary sensor compared to the 108MP on the S21 Ultra, providing higher detail, better low-light shots, and improved overall image clarity.

Do both phones have the same display size?
Yes, both the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the S21 Ultra feature a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support.

Which phone has better display brightness?
The S23 Ultra offers a peak brightness of 1750 nits, which is higher than the 1500 nits peak brightness of the S21 Ultra, making it more readable under direct sunlight.

Is the S Pen built into both devices?
No, only the S23 Ultra includes a built-in S Pen with a dedicated slot. The S21 Ultra supports the S Pen but does not have built-in storage or Bluetooth Air Actions.

Which device has longer software support?
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is eligible for 4 major Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches, while the S21 Ultra is capped at Android 15 with security updates expected to end in 2026.

Is the charging speed better on the S23 Ultra?
Yes, the S23 Ultra supports 45W fast charging, compared to the S21 Ultra’s 25W charging speed, resulting in shorter charging times.

Do both phones support wireless charging?
Yes, both devices support 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, also known as Wireless PowerShare.

Is there a difference in front camera quality?
Yes, the S23 Ultra uses a 12MP front camera with better image processing and AI enhancements, while the S21 Ultra features a higher-resolution 40MP front camera but with older processing technology.

Do both devices have the same zoom capabilities?
Yes, both feature dual 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom, and up to 100x digital zoom with similar performance.

Are both phones water and dust resistant?
Yes, both the S23 Ultra and S21 Ultra are IP68 certified, meaning they can withstand dust and submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.

Do both phones support 5G and Wi-Fi 6E?
Yes, both devices come with full 5G support and Wi-Fi 6E, allowing for high-speed wireless connections and future-proof network compatibility.

Which phone has better durability?
The S23 Ultra is slightly more durable with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, while the S21 Ultra uses the earlier generation Gorilla Glass Victus.

Do either of the phones support expandable storage?
No, neither the S23 Ultra nor the S21 Ultra includes a microSD card slot, so users must choose their internal storage option wisely.

Is the audio experience similar on both phones?
Yes, both phones feature stereo speakers tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos support, providing a rich, immersive sound experience without distortion.

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