Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra & Samsung Galaxy S24 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 S21 Ultra rather than the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Why Do I Recommend The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra?
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features a 108MP main camera with dual telephoto lenses that enable significantly higher zoom levels and sharper long-range shots, compared to the Galaxy S24’s 50MP main sensor with single telephoto lens.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features a larger 6.8-inch WQHD+ display that enhances media consumption and multitasking with more screen real estate, compared to the Galaxy S24’s smaller 6.2-inch FHD+ display.
- It includes dual telephoto lenses with 3x and 10x optical zoom to capture clear images at multiple distances, while the Galaxy S24 supports only a single 3x optical zoom.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has up to 16GB of RAM that boosts performance for demanding apps and professional-level multitasking, compared to the Galaxy S24’s maximum of 8GB RAM.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with a larger 5000mAh battery that extends overall usage time for heavy tasks like gaming, video streaming, and multitasking, compared to the Galaxy S24’s 4000mAh battery.
- It includes a 40MP front-facing camera that captures more detailed and higher-resolution selfies and video calls, compared to the 12MP front camera on the Galaxy S24.
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra supports the S Pen with a built-in digitizer that enables precise handwriting, drawing, and screen annotation, while the Galaxy S24 lacks any stylus compatibility.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra supports wired and wireless Samsung DeX that transforms the phone into a desktop-like experience for productivity, while the Galaxy S24 supports DeX wirelessly only.
Maybe the Samsung Galaxy S24 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S21 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
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
| Processor (Global) | Exynos 2100 | Exynos 2400 |
| Processor (USA) | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 8GB |
| Frame Material | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum 2 |
| Glass Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus front/back | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front/back |
| Dimensions (mm) | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 | 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 |
| Weight | 228g | 167g |
| Display Size | 6.8 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Display Resolution | 3200 x 1440 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Peak Brightness | 1500 nits | 2600 nits |
| Storage Type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0 |
| Rear Cameras | Quad: 108MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP | Triple: 50MP + 10MP + 12MP |
| Telephoto Capabilities | Dual Telephoto: 3x Optical + 10x Optical | Single Telephoto: 3x Optical |
| Max Zoom | 100x Space Zoom | 30x Space Zoom |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33” | 1/1.56” |
| Laser Autofocus | Yes | No |
| Front Camera | 40MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera Features | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps, Super HDR |
| AI Features | Scene Optimizer | Galaxy AI |
| Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| S Pen Support | Yes | No |
| OS at Launch | Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Update Policy | 4 OS + 5 years security | 7 OS + 7 years security |
| Audio Zoom (Video) | Yes | No |
| Price | Check S21 Ultra Price | Check Samsung S24 Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display: Both devices use Samsung’s top-tier Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, ensuring vivid colors, deep blacks, and great contrast for immersive viewing.
- 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate: Both displays support smooth scrolling and animations with an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, adjusting based on usage to save battery.
- HDR10+ Certification: Both screens support HDR10+, enabling dynamic color and contrast optimization when watching supported content like HDR movies or streaming on Netflix or YouTube.
- Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor: Both phones include an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display, providing secure and fast biometric authentication even with moist or dirty fingers.
- 5G Network Support: Each model supports sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G bands (depending on region), ensuring high-speed connectivity on next-gen mobile networks.
- Wi-Fi 6E: Both support Wi-Fi 6E, the extended version of Wi-Fi 6, for better bandwidth, lower latency, and less congestion on supported routers.
- Dolby Atmos Stereo Sound: Each model includes stereo speakers tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos, providing rich and immersive sound quality whether watching media or gaming.
- 2D Face Unlock: In addition to fingerprint unlocking, both phones support facial recognition using the front camera for convenient unlocking (though not as secure as 3D systems).
- IP68 Water & Dust Resistance: Both are certified to survive submersion in 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes, and are protected from dust ingress.
- 15W Wireless Charging & 4.5W Reverse Charging: You can wirelessly charge either device at up to 15W, and both support reverse wireless charging for powering accessories like Galaxy Buds or another phone.
- Samsung DeX Support: Both devices can run a desktop-like environment via Samsung DeX. The S21 Ultra supports both wired and wireless DeX, while the S24 supports wireless only.
- Samsung Knox Security: Both come with Samsung Knox, a defense-grade security platform built into the hardware and software to protect user data from boot-up.
- USB Type-C 3.2 Port: Both models feature a USB Type-C port that supports high-speed data transfer and fast charging.
- eSIM & Dual SIM Options: Each supports eSIM functionality and dual SIM in select markets, offering flexibility for global users or frequent travelers.
Common Features
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
| Display Technology | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz Adaptive | 120Hz Adaptive |
| HDR Support | HDR10+ | HDR10+ |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Ultrasonic under-display | Ultrasonic under-display |
| 5G Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Support | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Stereo Speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Face Recognition | Yes | Yes |
| Water & Dust Resistance | IP68 certified | IP68 certified |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Samsung DeX Support | Yes | Yes |
| Samsung Knox Security | Yes | Yes |
| USB-C Port | USB Type-C 3.2 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| Dual SIM Support | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check S21 Ultra Price | Check Samsung S24 Price |
FAQ
Is the Galaxy S24 more compact than the Galaxy S21 Ultra? Do both the Galaxy S21 Ultra and S24 have 5G support? Which phone has better zoom capabilities? Does the Galaxy S24 support the S Pen like the S21 Ultra? Which device has a brighter screen? Is there a difference in selfie camera resolution? Do both phones support wireless charging? Which phone will receive software updates for a longer period? Does the Galaxy S24 have better AI features than the S21 Ultra? What is the main difference in battery capacity? Is there a difference in build quality between the two phones? Do both phones support Samsung DeX? Are stereo speakers present on both models? Is there a difference in storage performance? Can both phones be used in water? |
