Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Vs Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S24, launched in January 2024, represent different generations of Samsung's flagship smartphone line. While both devices offer a premium Android experience, the Galaxy S24 introduces a more compact design, an extended software support policy, and enhanced AI-powered features, distinguishing it from its larger predecessor.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. These two Galaxy models offer different expectations in these areas.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in early 2021, launched with Android 11 and received three major OS updates, concluding its major OS support with Android 14. Its security updates are expected to end around January 2025. In contrast, the Galaxy S24, released in early 2024 with Android 14, is promised seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, extending its software lifespan significantly further, potentially until Android 21 in 2031.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in water. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus on both its front and back, while the Galaxy S24 upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and retains Gorilla Glass Victus on the back, alongside an Enhanced Armor Aluminum frame.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S24 has demonstrated a high repairability score in teardowns, with components like the battery being relatively easy to replace due to pull tabs. While specific repairability scores for the S21 Ultra are less widely publicized, Samsung has generally made efforts to improve repairability in newer models.

Performance in daily use, from app handling to multitasking, is a key differentiator between these two devices, influenced by their internal components and battery capacities.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is equipped with a processor that handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive user experience for its generation. The Galaxy S24 features a newer generation processor, which offers enhanced speed and efficiency, resulting in quicker app loading times, smoother transitions, and more capable handling of intensive tasks like advanced mobile gaming and AI-driven features.
• Multitasking and Storage: The S21 Ultra 5G was available with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, supporting extensive multitasking. The standard Galaxy S24 typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most users' multitasking needs. Both models offer various internal storage options, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, without expandable storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G houses a 5000 mAh battery, designed to provide ample power for a full day of heavy use. The Galaxy S24 features a 4000 mAh battery. While smaller, its newer, more efficient processor and software optimizations contribute to effective power management, aiming for reliable daily usage.

The visual experience is central to smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality displays with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts a 6.8-inch QHD+ display (3200x1440 pixels), offering a very high pixel density. The Galaxy S24 has a 6.2-inch FHD+ display (2340x1080 pixels), providing clear and sharp visuals in a more compact form factor.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both models feature adaptive 120Hz refresh rates, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a peak brightness of 1500 nits, providing good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Galaxy S24 significantly increases peak brightness to 2600 nits, enhancing outdoor visibility and HDR content viewing.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The S21 Ultra 5G's larger 6.8-inch display provides an expansive canvas for media consumption and productivity. The S24's 6.2-inch display offers a more manageable size for one-handed use and portability, while still delivering an immersive viewing experience.

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems, but the newer model incorporates software enhancements and a refined sensor array.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and another 10MP telephoto with 10x optical zoom, allowing for significant zoom capabilities. The Galaxy S24 comes with a triple-camera system, comprising a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S21 Ultra 5G excels in capturing detailed images across various focal lengths, with its dual telephoto lenses providing flexibility for distant subjects. The S24, while having fewer telephoto lenses, benefits from a newer image processing engine and AI enhancements, which contribute to improved low-light performance, color accuracy, and detail, particularly with its ProVisual AI Engine.
• Video and Audio: Both devices are capable of recording 8K video, offering high-resolution footage. The S24 introduces advanced AI features for video, such as Instant Slow-mo, which can convert standard footage into smooth slow-motion clips. Both phones provide stereo speaker output for media consumption.