Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a true powerhouse that pushes the boundaries of smartphone technology. With its stunning design and top-tier specifications, this device is sure to captivate tech enthusiasts and casual users alike. The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display delivers breathtaking visuals, while the powerful Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888 processor ensures smooth performance. The quad-camera setup, featuring a 108MP main sensor and impressive zoom capabilities, allows you to capture stunning photos and videos. The S21 Ultra 5G also boasts a massive 5000mAh battery and supports 5G connectivity. With different memory options and an array of attractive colors, this flagship device offers something for everyone. Prices start at a reasonable range, making it a tempting choice for those seeking a top-of-the-line smartphone experience.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts an impressive design and build that exudes premium aesthetics and a sleek overall appearance. With its slim form factor and minimal bezels, the device offers a high screen-to-body ratio, providing an immersive viewing experience. The phone features a combination of high-quality materials, including a Gorilla Glass Victus front and back panel, and an aluminum frame, which adds to its durability and robustness. The device is also IP68 dust and water-resistant, offering added protection.

In terms of dimensions, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G measures 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.35 in), making it compact and easily portable. Despite its larger display size, the phone does not feel overly bulky or heavy, weighing in at 227 g (Sub6) or 229 g (mmWave). The back panel features a sophisticated and textured finish, adding to its overall premium look and feel.

The placement of buttons and controls on the device ensures ease of use and one-handed usability. The inclusion of a stylus support further enhances the user experience, allowing for precise input and expanded functionality. The construction and fit and finish of the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G are top-notch, exemplifying Samsung's commitment to quality.

Overall, the design and build of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G combines aesthetics, ergonomics, and durability. From its sleek and premium appearance to its robust construction, the device offers a compelling blend of style and functionality.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts a stunning display that is sure to impress. With its large 6.8-inch screen size and 1440 x 3200 pixel resolution, users can expect a visually immersive experience. The aspect ratio of 20:9 and the high pixel density of approximately 515 ppi contribute to sharp and detailed visuals. The display utilizes OLED technology, which offers deep blacks and vibrant colors, resulting in a visually pleasing and lifelike image quality.

One notable feature of the display is its impressive brightness levels, reaching up to 1500 nits at peak brightness. This ensures excellent outdoor visibility, even in bright sunlight. Additionally, the display supports HDR10+ and offers a wide color gamut, allowing for enhanced color accuracy and vibrant visuals. The viewing angles are also impressive, ensuring that the content remains clear and vivid from various angles.

To protect the display from scratches and damage, Samsung has incorporated Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which is known for its durability and resistance to impacts. The display also features an anti-reflective coating, reducing glare and improving visibility in different lighting conditions.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a range of display customization options, including an always-on display feature, allowing users to view essential information without unlocking the device. It also includes a blue light filter and adaptive brightness, which adjusts the screen's brightness based on ambient lighting conditions.

In conclusion, the display of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a standout feature, offering a large, high-resolution OLED screen with impressive brightness levels, color accuracy, and viewing angles. The combination of these features makes for an exceptional visual experience, whether indoors or outdoors.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts impressive performance capabilities thanks to its powerful chipset and GPU. Equipped with either the Exynos 2100 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor, depending on the region, this smartphone delivers excellent CPU benchmarks and processor efficiency. It features an octa-core configuration, with a combination of high-performance cores and power-efficient cores, ensuring smooth multitasking and app loading speeds.

In terms of gaming performance, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a top contender. It offers exceptional gaming capabilities, providing users with a seamless and lag-free gaming experience. The device's GPU benchmarks and graphics scores are impressive, allowing for high-quality visuals and smooth gameplay. It can handle demanding games with ease, thanks to its powerful GPU and system optimization.

The device's thermal management is also noteworthy, as it effectively manages heat dissipation during extended gaming sessions. This ensures that the smartphone remains cool and does not compromise performance. Additionally, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G performs well in benchmark tests, consistently achieving high scores in synthetic benchmarks and gaming benchmarks.

Overall, the performance of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is exceptional. It offers a smooth user experience, providing lag-free performance and impressive multitasking capabilities. With its powerful chipset, efficient processor, and high-performing GPU, this smartphone is well-suited for gaming enthusiasts and users who require a device that can handle demanding tasks with ease. Whether it's loading apps quickly, engaging in graphics-intensive gaming, or multitasking without any hiccups, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G delivers on all fronts when it comes to performance.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G runs on the Android 11 operating system, which can be upgraded to Android 13 with the One UI 5.1 interface. This powerful combination provides a smooth and user-friendly experience for the users. The One UI 5.1 interface offers a clean and intuitive layout, making it easy to navigate through the phone's features and settings.

One of the highlights of the software is the customization options it offers. Users can personalize their device by choosing from a wide range of themes, wallpapers, and icon packs. Additionally, the One UI 5.1 interface allows users to customize the app drawer layout, home screen grid, and notification panel to suit their preferences.

In terms of pre-installed apps, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G comes with a suite of useful applications. These include popular Google apps like Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube, as well as Samsung's own apps such as Samsung Health, Samsung Pay, and Bixby. While some users may find these apps useful, others may consider them as bloatware if they prefer using alternative apps.

The user-friendliness of the software is further enhanced by features like Samsung DeX and Samsung Wireless DeX, which provide a desktop-like experience when connecting the phone to a monitor or TV. Bixby's natural language commands and dictation also make it easier to interact with the device using voice commands.

Overall, the software on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a seamless and customizable experience. The combination of the latest Android operating system, user-friendly interface, and pre-installed apps provides a solid foundation for users to make the most out of their device.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts an impressive camera system that is sure to delight photography enthusiasts. With its quad-camera setup, including a 108-megapixel wide lens, 10-megapixel periscope telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom, 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, the device offers a versatile range of focal lengths to capture any scene with precision. The large sensor size and wide aperture of the main lens ensure excellent low-light performance and the ability to produce sharp and detailed images even in challenging lighting conditions. The camera also features optical image stabilization, which helps to reduce blurriness caused by hand movement, resulting in crisp and clear photos. The S21 Ultra excels in capturing natural colors and has a wide dynamic range, allowing for vibrant and balanced images, whether in daylight or indoor settings. Additionally, the device offers a variety of camera features, including portrait mode, HDR, panorama mode, pro mode, and AI scene recognition, enabling users to experiment and enhance their photography skills. When it comes to video recording, the S21 Ultra is equally impressive, offering 4K video capabilities, video stabilization, slow-motion video, and time-lapse features. Overall, the camera performance of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is exceptional, delivering remarkable image quality and versatility for both photography and videography enthusiasts.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts a powerful Li-Ion 5000mAh battery that provides impressive battery life. With its large capacity, users can expect extended screen-on time and standby time, allowing for uninterrupted usage throughout the day. The device also supports fast charging technology, with 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging options available. This ensures quick and convenient recharging when needed. The battery performance is optimized through various features and settings, such as power efficiency measures and battery optimization options. Users can easily manage their battery usage, monitor battery drain, and maximize battery backup. The device's battery capacity and health are also important factors, ensuring long-term performance and longevity. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a robust battery experience, delivering reliable endurance and efficient charging capabilities.

Connectivity and Networking

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a wide range of connectivity options, making it a versatile device for staying connected on the go. With its 5G capabilities, users can experience faster data speeds and seamless browsing, streaming, and downloading. The device also supports LTE, ensuring compatibility with existing networks.

For wireless connectivity, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, allowing users to connect to both traditional Wi-Fi networks and the latest Wi-Fi 6e standard for improved performance. Bluetooth 5.2 is also supported, enabling seamless pairing with Bluetooth-enabled devices such as headphones, speakers, and smartwatches.

NFC technology is integrated into the device, enabling contactless payments and quick data transfers. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G also features a USB Type-C 3.2 port, providing fast charging and data transfer capabilities.

Additionally, the device supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two SIM cards simultaneously for greater flexibility. GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and GALILEO ensure accurate positioning and navigation capabilities.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is also equipped with a mobile hotspot feature, allowing users to share their internet connection with other devices. Overall, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, ensuring that users can stay connected and access various features and services seamlessly.

Additional Features

- Standout features: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasts several standout features that make it a top-tier smartphone. With its advanced camera system, including a 108 MP main camera and a periscope telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom, users can capture stunning photos and videos. The device also supports 8K video recording, providing users with high-resolution footage. Additionally, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a large 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth and vibrant visuals.

- Water and dust resistance: With an IP68 rating, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is water and dust resistant. This means that it can withstand being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, providing peace of mind for users who may accidentally expose their device to water or dust.

- Wireless charging: The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G supports wireless charging, allowing users to conveniently charge their device without the need for cables. It is compatible with Qi wireless charging, a widely adopted standard for wireless charging.

- Advanced sensors: Along with the standard set of sensors like accelerometer and gyroscope, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G also features additional sensors for enhanced functionality. These advanced sensors enable features like motion detection, environmental sensing, and more, enhancing the overall user experience of the device.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a flagship smartphone that competes with other high-end devices in the market. Let's compare it to some related gadgets to get a better understanding of its position in the market.

In terms of competitors, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G goes head-to-head with devices like the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Google Pixel 5. These smartphones offer similar high-end features and are popular choices among tech enthusiasts.

When it comes to specifications, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G stands out with its impressive 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which offers a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. Its competitors also offer great displays, but the S21 Ultra's display is considered one of the best in the market.

In terms of performance, the S21 Ultra 5G is equipped with either the Exynos 2100 or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, depending on the region. Both chipsets are top-of-the-line and deliver excellent performance. Benchmark comparisons show that the S21 Ultra 5G performs on par with its competitors, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming experiences.

One area where the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G shines is its camera system. With a quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main sensor and two telephoto lenses, it offers exceptional zoom capabilities and image quality. Its competitors also have impressive cameras, but the S21 Ultra's camera system stands out for its versatility and image clarity.

When it comes to pricing, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is positioned as a premium device, with a higher price tag compared to its competitors. However, it offers a range of unique features and cutting-edge technology that justifies its price point for those seeking the best of the best.

In terms of market competition, Samsung has a strong position with its Galaxy S series, but it faces stiff competition from other smartphone manufacturers. Its competitive advantage lies in its brand reputation, innovative features, and strong ecosystem of products and services.

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a high-end smartphone that competes with other flagship devices in the market. It excels in areas like display quality, camera performance, and overall performance. While it may come with a higher price tag, it offers a premium experience and is a great choice for those who value cutting-edge technology and top-notch features.

Pros and Cons