Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra side by side: Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 5G
$799
2categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26 Ultra
$1,299
18categories won
2 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 Ultra takes battery honors offering 5,000 mAh alongside 60W charging.
Galaxy S26 Ultra provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and 16GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 Ultra takes photography with 200MP optics and 5x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S21 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $799 vs $1299.
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 S26 Ultra: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1440 x 3120Winner |
| Pixel density | 424 ppi | 498 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1300 nits | 2400 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 820,000 | 2,400,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3720 | 8900Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 200 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4Winner |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 5xWinner |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 10 MP | 12 MPWinner |
| Max video | 8K at 24fps / 4K at 60fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 5,000 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 60 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 169 gWinner | 214 g |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 7.9 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, glastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 5 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799Winner | $1,299 |
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 S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a premium 6.9-inch flagship built for power users and creators. Priced at $1299, it pairs a heavily upgraded Snapdragon processor and 60W charging with a versatile quad-camera array and the signature built-in S Pen stylus.
- Display
- 6.9"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 200MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
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