Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra ( leave ) and Galaxy S21 UltraDigital Trends

As in previous age , the Samsung Galaxy S24 series includes three handset . The safe of these , theGalaxy S24 Ultra , admit many characteristic miss from the less expensive ( and smaller)Galaxy S24andGalaxy S24 Plusmodels . But how does the Galaxy S24 Ultra compare to one of its predecessors , theGalaxy S21 Ultra ? And should Galaxy S21 Ultra customers consider making the upgrade?In this article , we ’ll center on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and its similarities and differences with the Galaxy S21 Ultra — and at last help you decide whether it ’s time to elevate .

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: specs

Corning Gorilla Glass Victus

120Hz refresh rate

2,600 nit heyday brightness

A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

1,500 nits crown brightness

12MP ultrawide , f/2.2

10MP telephoto , f/2.4 ( 3x zoom )

Galaxy S21 Ultra held in hand.

Samsung Galaxy S21 UltraAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

50MP telephoto , f/3.4   ( 5x rapid climb )

12MP front

4 K UHD ( 3840 x 2160 ) @ 120 Federal Protective Service

A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra showing the screen.

Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

FHD ( 1920 x 1080 ) @ 240 Federal Protective Service

4 K UHD ( 3840 x 2160 ) @ 60 Federal Protective Service

HD ( 1280 x 720 ) @ 960 fps

Someone holding the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S21 UltraAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

4 K UHD ( 3840 x 2160 ) @ 30 Federal Protective Service

5,000 mAh25W wired charging15W wireless chargingReverse radiocommunication charging

Titanium Gray

Titanium Violet

Titanium Yellow

Titanium Green

Titanium Blue

Titanium Orange

Phantom Silver

Phantom Titanium

Phantom Navy

Phantom Brown

Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. S21 Ultra: design and display

When comparing the Galaxy S24 Ultra to the Galaxy S21 Ultra , the differences begin with the display and design . Both phones come with an telling 6.8 - column inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X presentation . However , the Galaxy S24 Ultra ’s blind is protected by Corning Gorilla Armor , while the earlier model offers Corning Gorilla Victus .

The newer speech sound is the first to feature Gorilla ’s latest glass , which is more resistant to micro scar and everyday wear . It also performs intimately in drop curtain tests on concrete than any former variation , and it foretell few reflections and glare . From a design linear perspective , the new phone is also flatter and wider . It should also be mention that the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the first Samsung sound made with atomic number 22 , just like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max . The honest-to-goodness Galaxy S21 model is made of chicken feed and Al .

There is a substantial difference in screenland luminosity between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy S21 Ultra . The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers a peak brightness of 2,600 nit , while the Galaxy S21 Ultra has a maximal brightness of 1,500 , which palpate outdated . Both earpiece have a 120Hz refresh rate . The new Galaxy S24 Ultra has a screen resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels , with a 19.5:9 aspect proportion and 505 pixels per in ( ppi ) . The Galaxy S21 Ultra has a screen resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels , with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 516 ppi .

Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. S21 Ultra: performance and battery

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a good chip and higher performance than the Galaxy S21 Ultra . This is because it is equipped with theQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3chipset , which has a riotous prime core clocked at 3.3 gigacycle per second , compared to the 2.8 GHz premier core of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset in the Galaxy S21 Ultra . The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset also utilizes newer mainframe core architectures , improving overall performance and efficiency . Both chipsets support ray trace , but the Adreno GPU in the 8 Gen 3 chipset offer advancement in in writing capacity compare to the Adreno 740 present in the 888 chipset .

If you primarily apply your speech sound for basic purposes , you might not notice much difference of opinion with the newer model . However , if you habituate your headphone for wandering gaming , video recording redaction , and multitasking , you will definitely see a significant advance with the late version . The Galaxy S24 Ultra also includes new AI tools optimise for the new chip , which you may learn more about below .

Both phones include a 5,000 mAh battery , which mean both should last for over a day between bang . Though both support 15 - wattwireless charging , the Galaxy S24 Ultra supports 45W wired blame . The Galaxy S21 Ultra maxes out at 25W wired charging . And while the assault and battery capacities are the same , improved efficiency with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 intend the Galaxy S24 Ultra will last longer on a individual rush . In our testing , it ’s easily a two - day smartphone .

Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. S21 Ultra: cameras

While it ’s rightful that camera improvements are require from one ( or more than one ) telephone set generation to the next , the Galaxy S21 Ultra already had an impressive photographic camera system . Still , there are big changes to take distinction of with the newer model . The main tv camera of the Galaxy S24 Ultra has been upgrade to a thumping 200 - megapixel sensor from the 108MP main tv camera of the Galaxy S21 Ultra . This megapixel increase allows for acute images , and the new detector is also up to of fascinate better colouring material , more pleasing nighttime shots , and more .

The Galaxy S24 Ultra ’s secondary telephotograph lense now includes a 50MP sensor with 5x optic soar , which is a important melioration over the 10MP sensor with 10x optical zoomof the Galaxy S21 Ultra . This raise means a better balance between soar capability and image tone .

It ’s also interesting to notice that the front - facing camera on the Galaxy S24 Ultra has been downgrade to a 12MP sensor from the 40MP sensing element of the Galaxy S21 Ultra . However , the megapixel count is not the only factor determining camera quality , and the S24 Ultra ’s detector still offers very good - looking selfies .

Regarding video , the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers 8 K video transcription at 30 frames per second ( Federal Protective Service ) , a slight upgrade from the Galaxy S21 Ultra ’s 24f s. Samsung has also improved the novel example ’s 4 K television transcription .

The S21 Ultra still has a very competent photographic camera system , but as our camera tests have prove , the Galaxy S24 Ultra has one of the good camera software package usable on a phone in 2024 .

Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. S21 Ultra: Galaxy AI and S Pen

If you buy a separate S Pen for your Galaxy S21 Ultra , you ’ll be proud of to acknowledge that the Galaxy S24 Ultra now comes with one include in the price . Of naturally , the newer model be more , so mayhap this is n’t such a heavy deal .

The vainglorious deal is the instauration ofGalaxy AIon the entire lineup of Galaxy S24 phones . The raw AI characteristic let in four primary shaft : Circle to Search , Live Translate , Notes Assist , and Generative Edit . None of these are available on the Galaxy S21 Ultra through a software update or otherwise .

The most advertised of these features , Circle to Search , let you search your machine by simply circling images or textual matter on the screen . For case , if you circle a picture of a storehouse , the phone will automatically bring up relevant information , such as the stock ’s emplacement , recap , and availability . Meanwhile , Live Translate is for anyone who communicates with people who speak dissimilar words . This feature allows you to translate and transcribe conversation in real sentence . With Notes Assist , you’re able to quickly summarize lengthy text file or article . Doing so highlights the independent points , making critique and retaining information more accomplishable .

last , the Generative Edit feature is sodding for photo enthusiasts who want to enhance their ikon without using a separate picture - blue-pencil app . This feature countenance you performpowerful photo - redaction trickssuch as moving content and remove undesirable objects , puddle your exposure bet even more impressive .

Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. S21 Ultra: price and availability

The new Galaxy S24 Ultra has 256 GB , 512 GB , or 1 TB of storage and is price starting at $ 1,299 . It can be purchased in - store in four colors or on the Samsung.com website in those four shades and an extra three gloss .

When it was launched , the Galaxy S21 Ultra was priced at $ 1,199 and was usable with either 256 gibibyte or 512 GB of storage . At launching , the phone was uncommitted in five different color .

Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. S21 Ultra: is it time to upgrade?

Several new features tell apart the Galaxy S24 Ultra from the Galaxy S21 Ultra . On the hardware side , the newer example is available in atomic number 22 and boasts a inviolable display and better chip . The television camera system has also been improved , giving the S24 Ultra one of the best photographic camera experience on a earphone today . On the software side , the Galaxy S24 Ultra extend Galaxy AI , allow for you with a suite of helpful photo - editing , translation , and other AI tools .

If you are wondering whether it is worth raise from the Galaxy S21 Ultra to the newer role model , there is another point to consider . Your current phone is foretell to have four major Android software updates , which imply you will continue to receive updates until 2025 . In other words , if you are quenched with your Galaxy S21 Ultra , you may hold onto it for another year headache - destitute .

On the flip side , if you ’re itching for an upgrade and have the money to drop , the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a phenomenal phone . you may also trade in your Galaxy S21 Ultra when buying it to drastically reduce the Leontyne Price , and the rather you do so , the more money you ’ll get for your S21 Ultra . It ’s not an absolutely necessary rise , but if you have the means to do so , we think you ’ll be more than happy with it .