Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, Galaxy S21 Ultra: these are the differences

Samsung has announced the Samsung Galaxy S21, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. The three new top smartphones have a significantly improved camera, a smooth 120 Hz screen and 5G support. Now what are the similarities between the three phones, and what are the differences? Which one is the best to buy? Then read this comparison.

Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S21, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra are three high-end phones that differ considerably from each other not only in price but also in specifications. In this article we list them all for you so that you can make a well-considered choice.

Specifications

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Similarities

1. Chip set

As you can see in the table, the three S21 phones all have the same processor, the Exynos 2100. This processor works with a modern 5 nm architecture. According to Samsung, it has succeeded in making the processor faster than its predecessor while also reducing energy consumption. The processor of the Exynos 2100 is 10 percent more powerful compared to the Exynos 990, but it is also 20 percent more energy efficient.

2. Ultra wide angle camera

The trio also has the same 12 MP ultra-wide angle camera and the Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus share the same 10 MP selfie camera. The battery capacity of the three differs, but the techniques behind them are the same.

Samsung Galaxy S21

3. Wireless charging

The phones can be charged wirelessly and also charge other devices via reverse wireless charging via Samsungs PowerShare.

4. OneUI 3.1

In addition, all three run on Samsung’s new One UI 3.1 shell. This shell is based on Android 11, which is the most recent Android version from Google.

5. IP68

The trio has an IP68 certification and can therefore remain submerged indefinitely. This has also been tested to a depth of 3 meters. If your S21 is at a depth of 5 meters, you better dive into the water with your clothes on.

The entire Samsung Galaxy S21 series

6. 120 Hz screen

Another similarity is the 120Hz refresh rate of the screen. This ensures very smooth animations while browsing and gaming on the S21.

7. Optical Image Stabilization

All lenses on all S21 phones have optical image stabilization. With OIS, the lens moves relative to the sensor (or vice versa) to neutralize movement while taking photos or video. In this way, small vibrations from your hand have no consequences for the image quality. This allows you to take sharper photos, which also comes in handy in the dark. After all, smartphone cameras are more sensitive to motion blur than when there is a lot of daylight.

8. Google and Samsung

Samsung is introducing Android Auto integration for SmartThings with all three S21 phones. This will enable the Galaxy S21 phones to control your smart home devices from your car. This way you can raise the temperature of your thermostat while you’re still on your way home. This way you can already open the garage doors and switch on the lights in the driveway when you are almost home. Google Nest products now also work with Samsung’s SmartThings. So you can add these smart products to the SmartThings app.

Furthermore, there is Google Discover integration and Google Messages and Google Duo come standard on the Samsung Galaxy S21 phones.

9. No charger and earphones in the box

Samsung omits the charger and earbuds with the Galaxy S21 series. In addition to the phone, there is only a USB-C cable and an ejector pin in the box. You may have to purchase the charger yourself. Samsung does this for environmental reasons and the box of the S21 is therefore smaller than that of other smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy S21

Differences

The Galaxy S21, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra also differ from each other in many ways. Samsung has done this to be able to offer a suitable S21 for every wish.

1. Screen

The trio has different screen sizes, from 6.2 inches, to 6.7 inches to 6.8 inches for the S21 Ultra. In addition, the S21 and S21 Plus have a FullHD+ resolution of 2400 by 1080 pixels and the Ultra a QuidHD+ resolution of 3200 by 1440 pixels. The weight and dimensions of the phones are also affected by this.

2. Memory

Only the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is available in a version with 512 GB storage. So if you need a lot of memory for photos, videos and music, then you should go for this model. The S21 Ultra is also king in terms of RAM, because you can choose from 12 GB and 16 GB.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

3. Wide-angle camera, telephoto camera, selfie cameras

The S21 and S21 Plus share the 12 MP wide-angle camera and the 64 MP telephoto camera, but the S21 Ultra takes this one step further. It comes with a 108 MP wide-angle camera and two 10 MP telephoto cameras. The Ultra should therefore be able to take sharper wide-angle images and zoom in further without too much loss of quality.

The selfie camera on the Galaxy S21 Ultra also differs from the S21 and S21 Plus. With the Ultra, you can take selfies with a 40 MP front cam.

4.Ultra Wideband

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra have Ultra Wideband support. With this technique you can, for example, use your smartphone to open compatible car doors without taking out your keys.

Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

5. S Pen and Wi-Fi 6e

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first Galaxy phone that works with an S Pen, the stylus we know from the Note series. With this stylus, which is based on Wacom technology, you can make sketches or notes, edit photos and sign documents, among other things. This stylus is available separately in a special case. You can also use an existing S-Pen from a Galaxy Note or Galaxy Tab.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra also has Wi-Fi 6e support. Wifi 6e adds a new frequency at 6 GHz in addition to 2.4 and 5 GHz, making higher internet speeds achievable.

6. Enclosure

The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a plastic back and the S21 Plus and S21 Ultra have a glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus).

Conclusion

As you can see, the Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra match each other in more ways than they differ from each other. Yet it is precisely those differences that ensure that you can make a better choice. There is one that can handle an S Pen, has a lot of memory and can zoom in far without losing too much quality. Do you want this? Then you can go for the S21 Ultra.

Would you prefer a slightly smaller screen and therefore a more compact phone, with good cameras, (reverse) wireless charging, water and dust resistance? Then you can go for the Galaxy S21 or S21 Plus. You will have less memory, smaller batteries and slightly less strong cameras. In addition, the S21 has a plastic back. You will also have to do without the S Pen, UWB and WiFi 6e.

So the choice is yours. Are you going for the best of the best in the S21 series? Then the Ultra is an option. Would you rather spend a little less? Then you also get top phones with the Galaxy S21 or S21 Plus. Everything about the Galaxy S21 phones can be found here.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with S Pen

Prices and release date Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus and S21 Ultra are located January 29 in stores and you can pre-order right away.

Samsung Galaxy S21

• Samsung Galaxy S21 (8 GB + 128 GB) – 849 euros
• Samsung Galaxy S21 (8GB + 256GB) – 899 euros
• coolblue, Media market, bol.com, Belly simple, mobile.nl, Vodafone, T-Mobile, KPN

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

• Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus (8 GB + 128 GB) – 1049 euros
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus (8GB + 256GB) – 1099 euros
• coolblue, Media market, bol.com, Belly simple, Mobiel.nl, Vodafone, T-Mobile, KPN

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (12 GB + 128 GB) – 1249 euros
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (12 GB + 256 GB) – 1299 euros
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (16 GB + 512 GB) – 1429 euros
• coolblue, Media market, bol.com, Belly simple, Mobiel.nl, Vodafone, T-Mobile, KPN

If you place a Galaxy S20 pre-order, you will receive the device immediately on the release date. So that’s January 29. In addition, with your pre-order you will receive a set of Galaxy Buds earplugs and a Galaxy SmartTag.

Samsung Galaxy S21 pre-order gifts

• Samsung Galaxy S21 – Samsung Galaxy Buds Live (139 euros) + Samsung Galaxy SmartTag (29.99 euros)
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus – Samsung Galaxy Buds Live (139 euros) + Samsung Galaxy SmartTag (29.99 euros)
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra – Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro (229 euros) + Samsung Galaxy SmartTag (29.99 euros)

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus