Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G side by side: Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 12MP vs…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 5G
$799
2categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
$699
15categories won
5 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G. Choose the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 5G if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G takes battery honors offering 5,000 mAh alongside 45W charging.
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 12GB RAM.
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G takes photography with 108MP optics and 10x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G wins on budget and value at $699 compared to $799.
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 5G vs Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.8" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1440 x 3088Winner |
| Pixel density | 424 ppi | 501 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1300 nits | 1750 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 820,000 | 1,020,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3720 | 4150Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 108 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4Winner |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 10xWinner |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 10 MP | 40 MPWinner |
| Max video | 8K at 24fps / 4K at 60fps | 8K at 24fps / 4K at 60fps HDR10+ |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 5,000 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 45 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 169 gWinner | 228 g |
| Thickness | 7.9 mmWinner | 8.9 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, glastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 12 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 4 years |
| Security updates | 5 years | 5 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799 | $699Winner |
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Highlighting Samsung's two-tone Contour-Cut camera housing and iconic Phantom Violet finish, the Galaxy S21 delivers 8K video capture, flat 120Hz AMOLED smoothness, and a featherlight 169g frame.
- Display
- 6.2"
- Chipset
- Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 4,000mAh
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
The Galaxy S22 Ultra merged the beloved Galaxy Note identity with S-series flagship photography, packing an embedded low-latency S-Pen stylus, a 108MP main camera, and dual 3x/10x optical zoom lenses into an imposing rectangular silhouette.
- Display
- 6.8"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Main camera
- 108MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
Other comparisons
- Galaxy S21 5G vs Galaxy S26 FE
- Galaxy S21 5G vs Galaxy S26
- Galaxy S21 5G vs Galaxy Z Flip 5
- Galaxy S21 5G vs Galaxy S25
- Galaxy S21 5G vs Galaxy S23 FE
- Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S26 FE
- Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S26
- Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy Z Flip 5
- Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S25
- Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S23 FE