Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S26 Ultra comparison
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Overall 72/100120HzIP685G
Chipset: Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - USA/China
Display: 6.8"
Battery: 5000mAh
Sources: Wikipedia | GSMArena - https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s21_ultra_5g-10596.php | Wikipedia | GSMArena
VS
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Overall 87/100120HzIP685G
Chipset: Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Display: 6.9"
Battery: 5000mAh
Sources: GSMArena - https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s26_ultra_5g-14320.php
Differences only hides identical specs in the detailed table below. Highlight winners emphasizes the better spec in each row. Changing the score profile recalculates category scores and the overall verdict.
Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins Overall
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G72
Galaxy S26 Ultra87
Galaxy S26 Ultra leads overall versus Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Software: 62.9 vs 100.
Scoring profile: balanced
Key Category Differences
- •Software: 62.9 vs 100 (Galaxy S26 Ultra)
- •Performance: 59.9 vs 88.4 (Galaxy S26 Ultra)
- •Battery: 63.5 vs 78 (Galaxy S26 Ultra)
- •Camera: 73.6 vs 78.8 (Galaxy S26 Ultra)
Who Should Buy
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
A solid choice with balanced features.
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Best for users who prioritize performance and camera.
Category Scores
Performance
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins
Why:
ChipsetCPU ClockRAMStorage Type
Camera
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins
Why:
Rear Sensor SizeRear ApertureRear Camera MegapixelsRear Camera Lenses (Total MP)
Display
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins
Why:
Refresh RatePeak BrightnessPanel TypeDisplay Size
Battery
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins
Why:
Battery CapacityCharging SpeedWireless Charging
Build
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Why:
Water ResistanceBuild Materials
Software
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins
Why:
Update PolicySecurity Updates
Budget-Wise Comparison
Value indices are calculated using score per 1,000 USD to show which phone delivers more for the money.
| Metric | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (price) | $244.89 | $26.00 |
| Price value for budget | 294.01 | 3346.15 |
| Camera for budget | 300.54 | 3030.77 |
| Performance for budget | 244.60 | 3400.00 |
Galaxy S26 Ultra ranks higher for budget
Direct Comparison Verdict
Generating honest comparison...
Detailed AI-Powered Insights
AI-Powered Verdict
Galaxy S26 Ultra generally outperforms Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G across key categories. Display Size: 6.9" vs 6.8" This makes Galaxy S26 Ultra the better choice for most users, though Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G may excel in specific areas.
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
A solid choice with balanced features across all categories.
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Best for users who prioritize performance and camera. Galaxy S26 Ultra excels in processing power and multitasking.
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Pros
- ✓Resolution: 1440 x 3200 (vs 1440 x 3120)
- ✓Pixel Density: 516 ppi (vs 498 ppi)
- ✓Front Camera: 40MP (vs 12MP)
Cons
- ✗Smaller display size: 6.8" vs 6.9"
- ✗Peak Brightness: 1500 nits (2600 nits is better)
- ✗RAM: 8GB (12GB is better)
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Pros
- ✓Larger display size: 6.9" vs 6.8"
- ✓Brighter display: 2600 nits vs 1500 nits
- ✓More RAM: 12GB vs 8GB
- ✓CPU Clock: 4.74GHz (vs 2.9GHz)
Cons
- ✗Resolution: 1440 x 3120 (1440 x 3200 is better)
- ✗Pixel Density: 498 ppi (516 ppi is better)
- ✗Front Camera: 12MP (40MP is better)
Category Breakdown
Note: All insights are generated from actual phone specifications. No assumptions or external data are used.
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
Display Size | 6.8" | 6.9"Better |
Resolution | 1440 x 3200Better | 1440 x 3120 |
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1500 nits | 2600 nitsBetter |
Pixel Density | 516 ppiBetter | 498 ppi |
Panel Type | OLED | OLED |
Display Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Armor 2, Mohs level 6 | DX anti-reflective coating
Privacy Display |
| Specification | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
RAM | 8GB | 12GBBetter |
CPU Clock | 2.9GHz | 4.74GHzBetter |
CPU Cluster Speeds | 1x2.9GHz + 3x2.80GHz + 4x2.2GHz + 1x2.84GHz + 3x2.42GHz + 4x1.80GHz | 2x4.74GHz + 6x3.62GHzBetter |
Storage | 512GB | 512GB |
Storage Type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.0Better |
Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - USA/China | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) |
GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660 - USA/China | Adreno 840 |
| Specification | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
Rear Camera | 108MP | 200MPBetter |
Rear Sensor Size | 1/1.33 | 1/1.3Better |
Rear Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.4Better |
Optical Zoom | 3x | 3x |
Optical Image Stabilization | Yes | Yes |
Max Video Resolution | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
Front Camera | 40MPBetter | 12MP |
Front Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.2 |
Front Video Resolution | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
Camera Features | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Best Face, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
Community Votes
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: Complete Comparison
Choosing between Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and Galaxy S26 Ultra can be tough. This comparison breaks down performance, camera, battery, and pricing in Pakistan so you can decide faster.
We focus on practical differences that impact daily use, not just spec sheet noise.
Key Differences at a Glance
Display Size
Galaxy S26 UltraGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G: 6.8"
Galaxy S26 Ultra: 6.9"
Resolution
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5GGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G: 1440 x 3200
Galaxy S26 Ultra: 1440 x 3120
Peak Brightness
Galaxy S26 UltraGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G: 1500 nits
Galaxy S26 Ultra: 2600 nits
Pixel Density
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5GGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G: 516 ppi
Galaxy S26 Ultra: 498 ppi
RAM
Galaxy S26 UltraGalaxy S21 Ultra 5G: 8GB
Galaxy S26 Ultra: 12GB
Our Verdict
Winner: Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra wins more categories overall, making it the safer all‑round pick.
Choose Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if:
- • You prefer the Samsung ecosystem
Choose Galaxy S26 Ultra if:
- • You prioritize performance performance
- • You prioritize camera performance
- • You prioritize display performance
- • You prefer the Samsung ecosystem
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Galaxy S26 Ultra is the better choice overall, winning in 5 key categories.
What are the biggest differences between Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The top differences are: Display Size (Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage), Resolution (Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G advantage), Peak Brightness (Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage), Pixel Density (Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G advantage), RAM (Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage).
Which phone has better camera quality?
Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers better camera performance overall.
Which phone has better battery life?
Galaxy S26 Ultra tends to last longer on a charge.
What is the price difference in Pakistan?
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G typically ranges from $244.89 to $244.89, while Galaxy S26 Ultra ranges from $26.00 to $26.00.
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