Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Vs Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, represent different generations of Samsung's premium smartphone line. While both devices offer a high-end Android experience, the S24 Ultra introduces significant advancements in processing power, display technology, and camera capabilities, alongside an extended software support policy. Both run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI overlay.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and repairability.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was released in January 2021, making it a device from an earlier generation. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, benefits from being a much newer model.
• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G received its final major Android OS update (Android 15-based One UI 7.0) in the first half of 2025, with security updates ending around January 2026. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is part of Samsung's new policy offering seven years of OS and security updates, meaning it is expected to receive updates through Android 21. This provides the S24 Ultra with a significantly longer period of software relevance and security.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G received a repairability score of 3/10 from iFixit, largely due to the extensive use of glue for its back panel, battery, and display, making disassembly challenging. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, however, shows a notable improvement with a near-perfect repairability score of 9/10, featuring easier battery replacement with pull tabs and a design that uses less adhesive.

Performance differences between these two devices are substantial, reflecting three years of technological advancement in mobile processing and efficiency.

• Storage and RAM: Both devices offer various storage configurations, typically starting from 128GB or 256GB, with the S21 Ultra offering up to 512GB and the S24 Ultra extending to 1TB. The S21 Ultra came with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, while the S24 Ultra typically features 12GB of RAM.
• Everyday Task Handling: The Galaxy S24 Ultra, equipped with a newer generation processor, handles demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy gaming with greater fluidity and less heat generation compared to the S21 Ultra. Users of the S21 Ultra may experience some heating during prolonged heavy use.
• Battery Behavior: Both phones house a 5000 mAh battery. However, the S24 Ultra generally offers better battery life due to a more efficient processor, allowing for extended screen-on time and more comfortable full-day usage for heavy users. The S24 Ultra also supports faster wired charging at 45W, compared to the S21 Ultra's 25W.

The display experience on both Ultra models is designed for premium viewing, though the newer model brings notable enhancements.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth visuals and vibrant colors. The S24 Ultra upgrades to an LTPO AMOLED 2X panel, allowing for a more adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz) for improved power efficiency.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers significantly higher peak brightness, reaching up to 2600 nits, compared to the S21 Ultra's 1500 nits. This makes the S24 Ultra's screen much easier to view in bright outdoor conditions, further aided by an anti-reflective coating.
• Design and Durability: The S21 Ultra features a curved display, while the S24 Ultra adopts a flat screen. The S24 Ultra's flat screen is noted by users to be more practical for avoiding accidental touches and applying screen protectors. The S24 Ultra also incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass Armor for enhanced scratch resistance, a step up from the Gorilla Glass Victus on the S21 Ultra.

Both devices are equipped with advanced camera systems, but the S24 Ultra introduces refinements and a different telephoto approach.

• Main Camera: The Galaxy S21 Ultra features a 108MP main sensor. The Galaxy S24 Ultra steps up to a 200MP main sensor, which delivers enhanced clarity and detail.
• Telephoto Capabilities: The S21 Ultra includes two 10MP telephoto lenses, offering 3x and 10x optical zoom. The S24 Ultra features a 10MP 3x telephoto and a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lens. While the S21 Ultra has a longer native optical zoom, the S24 Ultra's higher-resolution 5x telephoto, combined with advanced processing, aims to deliver comparable or improved zoomed-in results, particularly in lower light.
• Video Recording and Low-Light: Both phones support 8K video recording at up to 30 frames per second. The S24 Ultra generally offers improved low-light photography and video performance due to sensor advancements and processing.