Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 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 · 2023

Galaxy S23 Ultra

88/ 100

Launch MSRP$1,199 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Galaxy S21 Ultra BETTER THAN Galaxy S23 Ultra?

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Galaxy S21 UltraWinner 🏆

Galaxy S23 Ultra

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S21	Galaxy S23	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W	45W	45W Max
Main Camera Sensor	108 MP	200 MP	200 MP
Screen Display Size	6.8"	6.8"	6.8"
Chassis Weight	228g	234g	228g 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:

✓6g lighter chassis (228g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓108MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.8" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

Reasons to buy Galaxy S23 Ultra:

✓200MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.8" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	Galaxy S21 Ultra	Galaxy S23 Ultra
1. Display & Screen🏆 Galaxy S21 Ultra Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Screen Size	6.8"	6.8"
Resolution & Density	3200x1440 (515 ppi)	3088x1440 (500 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	1,500 nits peak	2,200 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 13
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/1.7, 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 (10x optical zoom), f/4.9, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	12 MP, f/2.2
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 S21 Ultra Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm	163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm
Weight	228 g	234 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	45W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	15W 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 6E
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
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	$1199

Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S21 Ultra edges ahead with a BeastScore of 87.8/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S21 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:

Dedicated optical telephoto zoom (2 lens system)

When to choose Galaxy S23 Ultra:

Significantly faster wired charging: 45W vs max 25W · Higher resolution main sensor: 200 MP vs max 108 MP

Upgrade GuideOwn the Galaxy S21 Ultra? See if upgrading to the Galaxy S23 Ultra is worth it

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Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Ultra

Which is better: Galaxy S21 Ultra or Galaxy S23 Ultra?

Galaxy S21 Ultra leads with an overall BeastScore of 87.8/100 compared to Galaxy S23 Ultra (87.8/100), driven by advantages in Dedicated optical telephoto zoom (2 lens system).