Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Vs Galaxy S24+

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, launched in January 2024, are both high-end Android smartphones from Samsung's flagship Galaxy S series. While both devices offer a premium smartphone experience, they differ significantly in terms of their release timelines, software support, and advancements in display technology and processing power. Both run on the Android operating system, but the newer S24 Plus benefits from a considerably longer software support commitment.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its release date and the manufacturer's software support policy.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was released in January 2021, making it an older device compared to the Galaxy S24 Plus, which launched in January 2024. This three-year difference impacts their expected software longevity.
• Software Support: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is expected to receive Android updates until Android 15. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Plus benefits from Samsung's extended commitment, promising seven years of OS and security updates, meaning it will receive updates until Android 21. This provides a significantly longer period of official support for the S24 Plus.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G received a repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, largely due to the extensive use of glue, a non-modular display cable, and a glass back that can complicate repairs. The Galaxy S24 Plus, however, shows improvements in repairability, with a score of 8 out of 10. It features easier battery removal and organized internal parts, though screen replacement can still be challenging. The S24 Plus also incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for screen protection and an Armor Aluminum frame, contributing to its physical durability.

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer device offering notable advancements in processing power and efficiency, which impacts daily usage and battery endurance.

• Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a significantly more advanced processor compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. This translates to noticeably faster and smoother operation for demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphics-intensive gaming. While the S21 Ultra 5G remains capable for everyday tasks, the S24 Plus offers a more responsive and future-ready experience.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, which generally provided good endurance, often lasting a full day for many users, though heavy usage might necessitate a mid-day recharge. The Galaxy S24 Plus, with a 4900 mAh battery, has been widely praised by users for its excellent battery life, frequently lasting over a day with moderate use, and some reports indicating up to two days of usage. However, some users have noted faster battery drain during intensive activities like gaming or prolonged social media use.
• Memory and Storage: Both devices offer ample memory for multitasking, with the S21 Ultra 5G available in 12GB or 16GB RAM configurations and storage options up to 512GB. The S24 Plus comes with 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB or 512GB, providing sufficient capacity for most users.

Both smartphones offer high-quality displays, but the newer model introduces enhancements in brightness and adaptive refresh rate technology.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a 6.8-inch display with a 1440 x 3200 resolution. The Galaxy S24 Plus has a slightly smaller 6.7-inch display but maintains a high resolution of 3120 x 1440 (QHD+), ensuring sharp and clear visuals.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S24 Plus offers a significantly higher peak brightness of up to 2600 nits, making it notably easier to view content clearly in bright outdoor conditions compared to the S21 Ultra 5G.
• Refresh Rate: Both phones feature an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, providing smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The S24 Plus's display can dynamically adjust its refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, which can contribute to power efficiency. While the S21 Ultra 5G's display was highly regarded at its release, some users transitioning to the S24 Plus noted that its colors initially appeared less vibrant, though still sharp.

The camera systems on both devices are designed for versatile photography, with differences in sensor specifications and processing capabilities.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a comprehensive quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom. The Galaxy S24 Plus comes with a triple-camera system, comprising a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S21 Ultra 5G was known for its versatile zoom capabilities, particularly its 10x optical zoom. While the S24 Plus lacks this specific hardware, its camera system, though similar in hardware to its predecessor, benefits from improved image processing and AI-powered features. Some users have even found the S24 Plus's 10x digital zoom to produce sharper images than the S21 Ultra's 10x optical zoom. The S24 Plus generally performs well in good lighting, but some reviews indicate that details can appear softer in mixed or dim lighting conditions.
• Front Camera: The S21 Ultra 5G is equipped with a 40MP front camera, while the S24 Plus features a 12MP front camera.
• Audio Experience: Some users have reported that the S21 Ultra 5G offered a clearer and fuller sound quality from its speakers compared to the S24 Plus, which some found to sound less rich.