Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition side by side: Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
$1,199
8categories won
Samsung
Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
$1,999
10categories won
4 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G claims the overall win over the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition, delivering a stronger technical package across battery endurance and core hardware. For battery longevity and charging speed, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G takes the lead, while the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G wins on endurance with 5,000 mAh and 25W fast charging.
Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy and 16GB RAM.
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G wins photography with 108MP main imaging and 10x dedicated optical zoom.
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $1199 vs $1999.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.8" | 8" |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200Winner | 1968 x 2184 |
| Pixel density | 516 ppiWinner | 367 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1500 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 870,000 | 1,980,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3800 | 6980Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 12 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 108 MP | 200 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 4Winner | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 10xWinner | 3x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 40 MPWinner | 10 MP |
| Max video | 8K at 24fps / 4K at 60fps all cameras | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 mAhWinner | 4,400 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 227 gWinner | 236 g |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm | 4.9 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP48 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front and back | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back with stripe texture, Ultra Thin Glass inner |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 14 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 5 years | 8 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $1,199Winner | $1,999 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
The Galaxy S21 Ultra debuted Samsung's seamless Contour-Cut camera housing, simultaneously running 1440p QHD+ resolution alongside a buttery 120Hz refresh rate backed by 12GB to 16GB of RAM.
- Display
- 6.8"
- Chipset
- Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
- Main camera
- 108MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition represents an engineering breakthrough for Samsung foldables, reducing unfolded thickness to a staggering 4.9mm and folded thickness to 10.6mm while offering a vast 8.0-inch inner display and 6.5-inch cover screen. Upgrading the camera to a flagship 200MP sensor and pairing it with 16GB of standard RAM.
- Display
- 8"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 200MP
- Battery
- 4,400mAh
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