Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

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Samsung · 2021

Galaxy S21 Ultra

88/ 100

Launch MSRP$1,199 USD

Samsung · 2026

Galaxy S26 Ultra

88/ 100

Launch MSRP$1,299 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Galaxy S26 Ultra BETTER THAN Galaxy S21 Ultra?

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Galaxy S21 Ultra

Galaxy S26 UltraWinner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S21	Galaxy S26	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W	60W	60W Max
Main Camera Sensor	108 MP	200 MP	200 MP
Screen Display Size	6.8"	6.9"	6.9"
Chassis Weight	228g	214g	214g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S21 Ultra:

✓$100 lower launch MSRP ($1199 vs $1299)
✓108MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.8" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

Reasons to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra:

✓14g lighter chassis (214g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓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?

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Specification	Galaxy S21 Ultra	Galaxy S26 Ultra
1. Display & Screen🏆 Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display)
Screen Size	6.8"	6.9"
Resolution & Density	3200x1440 (515 ppi)	3120x1440 (501 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	1,500 nits peak	2,600 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 Galaxy S21 Ultra Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 11	Android 16
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	12 GB LPDDR	12 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB / 512GB	256GB / 512GB / 1024GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S21 Ultra Wins Camera
Primary Camera	108 MP, f/1.8, OIS, Samsung HM3	200 MP, f/1.4, OIS, Samsung HP2
Telephoto Zoom	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS + 10 MP (10x optical zoom), f/4.9, OIS	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS + 50 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.9, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	50 MP, f/2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
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 Lens	40 MP, f/2.2	12 MP, f/2.2
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S26 Ultra Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm	163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight	228 g	214 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Galaxy S21 Ultra Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W wired fast charging	60W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	25W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 6E	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	5.0	6.0
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 3.2	USB-C 3.2
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$1199	$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 superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose Galaxy S21 Ultra:

Lower launch price: $1199 (save $100)

When to choose Galaxy S26 Ultra:

Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 87.8 · Significantly faster wired charging: 60W vs max 25W

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

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

Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with an overall BeastScore of 88.2/100 compared to Galaxy S21 Ultra (87.8/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 87.8 and Significantly faster wired charging: 60W vs max 25W.