Galaxy S21vs Galaxy S23 Ultra
Weighted overall score across performance, camera, battery, RAM, storage and display — plus the full spec sheet below.
Score breakdown
How each phone scores per category, out of 100.
Performance
Galaxy S21 68
Galaxy S23 Ultra 90
Camera
Galaxy S21 57
Galaxy S23 Ultra 100
Battery
Galaxy S21 82
Galaxy S23 Ultra 91
RAM
Galaxy S21 71
Galaxy S23 Ultra 87
Storage
Galaxy S21 71
Galaxy S23 Ultra 100
Display
Galaxy S21 85
Galaxy S23 Ultra 100
Full specifications
Every field on record — collapse a category to skip it.
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
RAM Differs
8GB RAM
8/12GB RAM
RAM Differs
Galaxy S21 8GB RAM
Galaxy S23 Ultra 8/12GB RAM
Body Differs
169g, 7.9mm thickness
234g, 8.9mm thickness
Body Differs
Galaxy S21 169g, 7.9mm thickness
Galaxy S23 Ultra 234g, 8.9mm thickness
Video
4320p
4320p
Video
Galaxy S21 4320p
Galaxy S23 Ultra 4320p
Camera Differs
64MP
200MP
Camera Differs
Galaxy S21 64MP
Galaxy S23 Ultra 200MP
Battery Differs
4000mAh
5000mAh
Battery Differs
Galaxy S21 4000mAh
Galaxy S23 Ultra 5000mAh
Chipset Differs
Exynos 2100
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Chipset Differs
Galaxy S21 Exynos 2100
Galaxy S23 Ultra Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
OS Differs
Android 11, up to 4 major OS updates
Android 13, up to 4 major OS updates
OS Differs
Galaxy S21 Android 11, up to 4 major OS updates
Galaxy S23 Ultra Android 13, up to 4 major OS updates
Storage Differs
128GB/256GB storage, no card slot
256GB/512GB/1TB storage, no card slot
Storage Differs
Galaxy S21 128GB/256GB storage, no card slot
Galaxy S23 Ultra 256GB/512GB/1TB storage, no card slot
Battery type Differs
25W15W
45W15W
Battery type Differs
Galaxy S21 25W15W
Galaxy S23 Ultra 45W15W
Display resolution Differs
1080x2400 pixels
1440x3088 pixels
Display resolution Differs
Galaxy S21 1080x2400 pixels
Galaxy S23 Ultra 1440x3088 pixels
Display size Differs
6.2"
6.8"
Display size Differs
Galaxy S21 6.2"
Galaxy S23 Ultra 6.8"
Release date Differs
Cancelled
Released 2023, February 17
Release date Differs
Galaxy S21 Cancelled
Galaxy S23 Ultra Released 2023, February 17
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Technology
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Technology
Galaxy S21 GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Galaxy S23 Ultra GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
2G bands
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
2G bands
Galaxy S21 GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Galaxy S23 Ultra GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
3G bands
Galaxy S21 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
Galaxy S23 Ultra HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
4G bands
Galaxy S21 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
Galaxy S23 Ultra 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
Speed
HSPA, LTE
HSPA, LTE (CA), 5G
Speed
Galaxy S21 HSPA, LTE
Galaxy S23 Ultra HSPA, LTE (CA), 5G
5G bands
—
1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
5G bands
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Announced
Not announced yet
2023, February 01
Announced
Galaxy S21 Not announced yet
Galaxy S23 Ultra 2023, February 01
Status
Cancelled
Available. Released 2023, February 17
Status
Galaxy S21 Cancelled
Galaxy S23 Ultra Available. Released 2023, February 17
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Dimensions
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Dimensions
Galaxy S21 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
Galaxy S23 Ultra 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight
169 g (5.96 oz)
234 g (8.25 oz)
Weight
Galaxy S21 169 g (5.96 oz)
Galaxy S23 Ultra 234 g (8.25 oz)
Build
Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Build
Galaxy S21 Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Galaxy S23 Ultra Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
SIM
· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
SIM
Galaxy S21 · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Galaxy S23 Ultra · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Type
Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
Type
Galaxy S21 Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Galaxy S23 Ultra Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
Size
6.2 inches, 94.1 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)
6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Size
Galaxy S21 6.2 inches, 94.1 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Galaxy S23 Ultra 6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution
1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~421 ppi density)
1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Resolution
Galaxy S21 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~421 ppi density)
Galaxy S23 Ultra 1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Protection
Galaxy S21 Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Galaxy S23 Ultra Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
OS
Android 11, up to 4 major OS updates, One UI 6.1
Android 13, up to 4 major OS updates, One UI 8.5
OS
Galaxy S21 Android 11, up to 4 major OS updates, One UI 6.1
Galaxy S23 Ultra Android 13, up to 4 major OS updates, One UI 8.5
Chipset
Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
Chipset
Galaxy S21 Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
Galaxy S23 Ultra Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPU
Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
CPU
Galaxy S21 Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
Galaxy S23 Ultra Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU
Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660
Adreno 740
GPU
Galaxy S21 Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660
Galaxy S23 Ultra Adreno 740
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Card slot
No
No
Card slot
Galaxy S21 No
Galaxy S23 Ultra No
Internal
128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Internal
Galaxy S21 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Galaxy S23 Ultra 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Triple
12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
—
Triple
Galaxy S21 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Galaxy S23 Ultra —
Features
LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Features
Galaxy S21 LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Galaxy S23 Ultra Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Video
8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Video
Galaxy S21 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Galaxy S23 Ultra 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Quad
—
200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Quad
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Single
10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Single
Galaxy S21 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Galaxy S23 Ultra 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Features
HDR
HDR, HDR10+
Features
Galaxy S21 HDR
Galaxy S23 Ultra HDR, HDR10+
Video
4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Video
Galaxy S21 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Galaxy S23 Ultra 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Loudspeaker
Yes, with stereo speakers
Yes, with stereo speakers
Loudspeaker
Galaxy S21 Yes, with stereo speakers
Galaxy S23 Ultra Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack
No
No
3.5mm jack
Galaxy S21 No
Galaxy S23 Ultra No
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
WLAN
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
WLAN
Galaxy S21 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Galaxy S23 Ultra Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth
5.0, A2DP, LE
5.3, A2DP, LE
Bluetooth
Galaxy S21 5.0, A2DP, LE
Galaxy S23 Ultra 5.3, A2DP, LE
Positioning
GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
Positioning
Galaxy S21 GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Galaxy S23 Ultra GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
NFC
Yes
Yes
NFC
Galaxy S21 Yes
Galaxy S23 Ultra Yes
Radio
FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
No
Radio
Galaxy S21 FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
Galaxy S23 Ultra No
USB
USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
USB
Galaxy S21 USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
Galaxy S23 Ultra USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Sensors
Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Sensors
Galaxy S21 Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Galaxy S23 Ultra Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Type
Li-Ion 4000 mAh
Li-Ion 5000 mAh
Type
Galaxy S21 Li-Ion 4000 mAh
Galaxy S23 Ultra Li-Ion 5000 mAh
Charging
25W wired, PD3.0
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless
45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless
Charging
Galaxy S21 25W wired, PD3.0
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless
Galaxy S23 Ultra 45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Colors
Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink
Phantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition
Colors
Galaxy S21 Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink
Galaxy S23 Ultra Phantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, BMW M Edition
Models
SM-G990F, SM-G990F/DS
SM-S918B, SM-S918B/DS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, SM-S918W, SM-S918N, SM-S9180, SM-S918E, SM-S918E/DS
Models
Galaxy S21 SM-G990F, SM-G990F/DS
Galaxy S23 Ultra SM-S918B, SM-S918B/DS, SM-S918U, SM-S918U1, SM-S918W, SM-S918N, SM-S9180, SM-S918E, SM-S918E/DS
SAR
—
1.12 W/kg (head) 0.92 W/kg (body)
SAR
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra 1.12 W/kg (head) 0.92 W/kg (body)
SAR EU
—
0.96 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body)
SAR EU
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body)
Price
—
$ 418.48 / £ 420.00 / € 380.00 / ₹ 79,999
Price
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra $ 418.48 / £ 420.00 / € 380.00 / ₹ 79,999
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23 Ultra
Performance
—
AnTuTu: 1241531 (v9)
GeekBench: 4927 (v5.1)
3DMark: 3790 (Wild Life Extreme)
Performance
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra AnTuTu: 1241531 (v9)
GeekBench: 4927 (v5.1)
3DMark: 3790 (Wild Life Extreme)
Display
—
1274 nits max brightness (measured)
Display
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra 1274 nits max brightness (measured)
Camera
—
Photo / Video
Camera
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra Photo / Video
Loudspeaker
—
-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Loudspeaker
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Battery
—
Active use score 13:24h
Battery
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra Active use score 13:24h
Battery (old)
—
Endurance rating 126h
Battery (old)
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Ultra Endurance rating 126h