Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G launched as Samsung’s top-tier flagship, and its core hardware still reads like a premium device in 2026.
This article takes a value-first angle so you can quickly judge how well it stacks up against newer options without repeating the full specs table.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology: | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | |
| 3G bands: | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 – SM-G998U1 |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 – SM-G998B | |
| 5G bands: | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave – SM-G998U1 |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 – SM-G998B | |
| Speed: | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL) |
Launch
| Announced: | 2021, January 14 |
| Status: | Available. Released 2021, January 29 |
Body
| Dimensions: | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight: | 227 g (Sub6), 229 g (mmWave) (8.01 oz) |
| Build: | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support |
Display
| Type: | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) |
| Size: | 6.8 inches, 112.1 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution: | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) |
| Protection: | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
Platform
| OS: | Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Chipset: | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) – InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) – USA/China |
| CPU: | Octa-core (1×2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) – InternationalOcta-core (1×2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) – USA/China |
| GPU: | Mali-G78 MP14 – InternationalAdreno 660 – USA/China |
Memory
| Card slot: | No |
| Internal: | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 |
Main Camera
| Quad: | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.33″, 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 72mm (telephoto), 1/3.24″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 240mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.24″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Features: | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video: | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
Selfie camera
| Single: | 40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8″, 0.7µm, PDAF |
| Features: | HDR |
| Video: | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker: | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack: | No |
| 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG |
Comms
| WLAN: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth: | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning: | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| NFC: | Yes |
| Radio: | FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent) |
| USB: | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
Features
| Sensors: | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Circle to Search |
Battery
| Type: | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Charging: | 25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless |
Misc
| Colors: | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, Phantom Brown, Navy |
| Models: | SM-G998B, SM-G998B/DS, SM-G998U, SM-G998U1, SM-G998W, SM-G998N, SM-G9980 |
| SAR: | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU: | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| Price: | € 293.32 / $ 255.00 / £ 238.75 |
Our Tests
| Performance: | AnTuTu: 657150 (v8) GeekBench: 3518 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| Display: | 1023 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Camera: | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker: | -25.5 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery (old): | Endurance rating 114h |
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €293, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of March 19, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $337
- Japan: ¥53,614
- United Kingdom: £253
- Australia: A$478
- Canada: C$462
- Taiwan: NT$10,764
- Denmark: kr2.189
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼1,262
- South Korea: ₩505,217
- Germany: €293
- Brazil: R$1.760
- Vietnam: ₫8.800.845
- Kenya: KSh 43,689
- India: ₹31,349
- Indonesia: Rp 5.725.227
- Nigeria: ₦454,227
- Pakistan: ₨94,085
- Philippines: ₱20,196
- Bangladesh: ৳৪১,৩০১
Value Position in 2026
At the listed price tier around €293.32 / $255.00 / £238.75, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G sits in a strong legacy-flagship bracket. You get high-end materials, a QHD+ 120Hz panel, advanced zoom cameras, and flagship-grade connectivity that many newer midrange phones still do not combine in one package.
Design and Build Quality
The phone uses Gorilla Glass Victus on both front and back with an aluminum frame, plus IP68 water and dust resistance. It is not light at 227-229 g, but the tradeoff is a sturdy build and support for stylus input, which adds productivity flexibility.
Display Experience
The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display remains a major reason to buy this model. With 1440 x 3200 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and up to 1500 nits peak brightness (1023 nits measured), it still delivers a flagship-level viewing experience for media, reading, and gaming.
Performance and Hardware Variants
Performance depends on region: Exynos 2100 (international) or Snapdragon 888 (USA/China), both built on 5 nm and paired with fast UFS 3.1 storage. Memory options scale up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, and test results such as AnTuTu 657150 and GeekBench 3518 show it remains comfortably capable for heavy daily use.
Camera Strengths and Limits
The quad rear setup is still one of the most versatile in its class: a 108MP main camera, 3x telephoto, 10x periscope telephoto, and ultrawide. It supports 8K video and strong stabilization features, making it especially attractive for users who prioritize zoom range and multi-scenario shooting over newer but simpler camera stacks.
Battery Life and Charging
A 5000 mAh battery and a 114h endurance rating (older test) point to reliable longevity. Charging is practical rather than class-leading by current standards, with 25W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
Software and Daily Features
Samsung launched it on Android 11 and committed to four major Android upgrades, with One UI 6.1 available. Features like Samsung DeX, Wireless DeX, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, and Circle to Search help it feel more complete than many devices at similar pricing.
Connectivity and Network Flexibility
Connectivity remains a highlight: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB-C 3.2, and broad global positioning support are all onboard. Network support is extensive across 4G and 5G, including mmWave on SM-G998U1 and strong Sub6 support on SM-G998B, so choosing the right model for your carrier still matters.
Who Should Buy Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
This phone is best for buyers who want premium display quality, long-range camera zoom, and flagship extras without paying current flagship prices. If your priority is very fast charging, microSD expansion, or a lighter body, newer alternatives may fit better.
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G remains a smart buy for users who want an affordable former flagship with excellent display quality, versatile cameras, and complete connectivity.
