BeastCompare - Independent Smartphone Battles & Specifications
Home/Battles/Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S26 Ultra
Lab Benchmark Battle

Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing display brightness, chipset benchmark percentiles, multi-camera arrays, battery capacity, and charging speeds.

Smartphone Battle
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe across ⇄
Galaxy S21 FE
Samsung · 2022

Galaxy S21 FE

$699
76.3/ 100
Overall
Exceptional
BeastScore
76.3
Benchmark
Performance72/100
Camera75/100
Battery78/100
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung · 2026

Galaxy S26 Ultra

$1299
88.2/ 100
Overall
Exceptional
BeastScore
88.2
Benchmark
Performance90/100
Camera100/100
Battery86/100

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

Swipe across ⇄
Reasons to buy Galaxy S21 FE:
  • ✓37g lighter chassis (177g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
  • ✓$600 lower launch MSRP ($699 vs $1299)
  • ✓12MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
Reasons to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra:
  • ✓Larger 5,000 mAh battery capacity (+500 mAh more capacity)
  • ✓200MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
  • ✓6.9" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

Swipe across ⇄
SpecificationGalaxy S21 FEGalaxy S26 Ultra
1. Display & Screen
Screen Type & TechDynamic AMOLED 2XDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display)
Screen Size6.4"6.9"
Resolution & Density2340x1080 (403 ppi)3120x1440 (501 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz ProMotion120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness1,200 nits peak2,600 nits peak
Screen ProtectionScratch-resistant glassScratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance
Chipset / ProcessorHigh performance SoC High performance SoC
CPU CoresMulti-core high performanceMulti-core high performance
GPU GraphicsIntegrated GraphicsIntegrated Graphics
Operating SystemAndroid 12Android 16
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory6 GB LPDDR12 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage128GB / 256GB256GB / 512GB / 1024GB
Storage SpeedHigh-speed flashHigh-speed flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics
Primary Camera12 MP, f/1.8, OIS200 MP, f/1.4, OIS, Samsung HP2
Telephoto Zoom8 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS + 50 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.9, OIS
Ultrawide Camera12 MP, f/2.250 MP, f/2
LiDAR / DepthNoneNone
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video
4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video
4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens32 MP, f/2.212 MP, f/2.2
7. Body & Dimensions
Dimensions159.8 x 73.6 x 8.2 mm163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight177 g214 g
Build MaterialsGlass front, metal/glass frameGlass front, metal/glass frame
SIM TypeNano-SIM / eSIM supportNano-SIM / eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP68IP68
8. Battery & Charging
Battery Capacity4,500 mAh5,000 mAh
Wired Fast Charging25W wired fast charging60W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging15W wireless charging25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingReverse wireless chargingReverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerStereo speakersStereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth5.06.0
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 2.0USB-C 3.2
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsBiometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compassBiometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite FeaturesEmergency SOS via satellite (select markets)Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsStandard finishesStandard finishes
Launch Price$699$1299
Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S26 Ultra edges ahead with a BeastScore of 88.2/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S26 Ultra ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its advanced processor architecture and verified 100/100 camera rating.

When to buy Galaxy S21 FE:
Lighter body: 177g (37g lighter in hand) · Lower launch price: $699 (save $600)
When to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra:
Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 76.3 · Larger battery capacity: 5,000 mAh (+500 mAh more)
Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Which phone is better: Galaxy S21 FE or Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with an overall BeastScore of 88.2/100 compared to Galaxy S21 FE (76.3/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 76.3 and Larger battery capacity: 5,000 mAh (+500 mAh more).

What are the primary battery and display differences between Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Galaxy S21 FE is equipped with a 6.4-inch display and 4500 mAh battery, while Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch display and 5000 mAh battery.

How do the camera capabilities compare between Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy S26 Ultra?

In lab hardware evaluations, Galaxy S21 FE scores 75/100 in camera performance, while Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 100/100.

Similar Hardware Tier

Related Smartphones (Based on Benchmark Scores)

Galaxy S25 Ultra
samsung · 2025

Galaxy S25 Ultra

Score: 88/100
OnePlus 13s
oneplus · 2025

OnePlus 13s

Score: 89/100
Mi 12T Pro
xiaomi · 2022

Mi 12T Pro

Score: 88/100
vivo Y31t 5G
vivo · 2026

vivo Y31t 5G

Score: 88/100
Oppo Find N5
oppo · 2025

Oppo Find N5

Score: 88/100
realme 12 Pro+
realme · 2024

realme 12 Pro+

Score: 89/100
Honor X8d
honor · 2025

Honor X8d

Score: 88/100
Apple iPhone Duo Fold
apple · 2026

Apple iPhone Duo Fold

Score: 88/100
Trending Matchups

Related Smartphone Battles & Comparisons

Battle #176 vs 76

Galaxy S21 FE vs SM-A336E/DS Galaxy A33 5G 2022 Standard Edition Global Dual SIM TD-LTE 128GB

Galaxy S21 FE
Galaxy S21 FE
V/S
SM-A336E/DS Galaxy A33 5G 2022 Standard Edition Global Dual SIM TD-LTE 128GB
SM-A336E/DS Galaxy A33 5G 2022 Standard Edition Global Dual SIM TD-LTE 128GB
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #288 vs 88

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Galaxy S25 Ultra

Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra
V/S
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Galaxy S25 Ultra
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #376 vs 76

Galaxy S21 FE vs OnePlus Ace 3 5G Top Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE CN 512GB PJE110 (BBK Aston)

Galaxy S21 FE
Galaxy S21 FE
V/S
OnePlus Ace 3 5G Top Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE CN 512GB PJE110 (BBK Aston)
OnePlus Ace 3 5G Top Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE CN 512GB PJE110 (BBK Aston)
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #488 vs 89

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs OnePlus 13s

Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra
V/S
OnePlus 13s
OnePlus 13s
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #576 vs 76

Galaxy S21 FE vs Xiaomi Redmi K70 Extreme Edition Premium 5G Dual SIM TD-LTE CN 512GB 2407FRK8EC / K70 Ultra (Xiaomi Rothko C)

Galaxy S21 FE
Galaxy S21 FE
V/S
Xiaomi Redmi K70 Extreme Edition Premium 5G Dual SIM TD-LTE CN 512GB 2407FRK8EC / K70 Ultra (Xiaomi Rothko C)
Xiaomi Redmi K70 Extreme Edition Premium 5G Dual SIM TD-LTE CN 512GB 2407FRK8EC / K70 Ultra (Xiaomi Rothko C)
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #688 vs 88

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Mi 12T Pro

Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra
V/S
Mi 12T Pro
Mi 12T Pro
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #776 vs 76

Galaxy S21 FE vs BBK Vivo X200 5G Premium Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE CN V1 512GB V2415A (BBK V2415)

Galaxy S21 FE
Galaxy S21 FE
V/S
BBK Vivo X200 5G Premium Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE CN V1 512GB V2415A (BBK V2415)
BBK Vivo X200 5G Premium Edition Dual SIM TD-LTE CN V1 512GB V2415A (BBK V2415)
Compare Both Phones→
Battle #888 vs 88

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs vivo Y31t 5G

Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra
V/S
vivo Y31t 5G
vivo Y31t 5G
Compare Both Phones→