Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra & Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra rather than the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Why Do I Recommend The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
- The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chipset that delivers up to 35 % faster multitasking performance and longer battery life during heavy gaming, compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s Snapdragon 888.
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra features a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 2,600-nit peak brightness that keeps HDR content clear in direct sunlight, compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 1,500-nit panel.
- It includes a 200 MP main camera with advanced AI image processing that captures sharper night photos and 8K30 video, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra has 108 MP sensor with 8K24 recording.
- The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra supports 45 W wired charging that refills the 5,000 mAh battery to 65 % in 30 minutes, reducing downtime on busy days, compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 25 W system.
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage that load apps and transfer files up to twice as fast, compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s LPDDR5 and UFS 3.1 hardware.
- It comes with a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor 2 that withstand harder drops and resist scratches better, compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus.
- The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio that deliver gigabit-class wireless speeds and high-fidelity Auracast streaming, compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra includes a seven-year Android update commitment that keeps security patches and new features coming through 2032, compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s four-year coverage.
Maybe the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
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Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for Galaxy (3 nm) | Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) |
| CPU Cores | 2× Oryon @ 4.47 GHz | 1× Kryo 680 @ 2.84 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno 830 | Adreno 660 |
| Frame Material | Titanium | Armor Aluminum |
| Front/Back Glass | Gorilla Glass Armor 2 | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Display Size | 6.9 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Peak Brightness | 2600 nits | 1500 nits |
| Screen-to-Body Ratio | 90.3% | 89.3% |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5 |
| Storage Type | UFS 4.0 | UFS 3.1 |
| Base Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Max Storage | 1 TB | 512 GB |
| Battery Chemistry | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer |
| Charging Speed | 45W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless Charging | Qi2 / Fast Wireless | Qi / Fast Wireless |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | 15W | 4.5W |
| Estimated Battery Life (Browsing) | ~20h 49m | ~14h 43m |
| Main Camera | 200 MP, f/1.7 | 108 MP, f/1.8 |
| Ultrawide Camera | 50 MP, f/1.9 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Periscope Telephoto | 50 MP 5x | 10 MP 10x |
| Telephoto 2 | Removed | 10 MP 3x |
| Max Video Resolution | 8K@30fps | 8K@24fps |
| 4K Slow Motion | 4K@120fps | 4K@60fps |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.1 |
| Price | Check S25 Ultra Price | Check S21 Ultra Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display: Both devices feature Samsung’s premium Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels, known for deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. They both support adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz and deliver stunning visuals with QHD+ resolution for ultra-sharp clarity.
- HDR10+ and Always-On Display: HDR10+ enhances dynamic range for supported video content, delivering deeper contrast and better highlights. Both models support Always-On Display to show time, notifications, and battery without waking the screen.
- S Pen Support (Built-in): The S25 Ultra and S21 Ultra both include full S Pen integration, allowing users to draw, write, and navigate with precision. The pen is embedded in the phone chassis on both models, making it easy to store and access.
- Battery Capacity: Each device features a 5,000 mAh battery, which is the maximum found in Galaxy phones. This ensures all-day usage even with demanding tasks.
- Wireless and Reverse Wireless Charging: Wireless charging keeps cords at bay, and both phones also support reverse wireless charging—allowing you to charge earbuds, watches, or other Qi-enabled devices directly from the phone.
- IP68 Water & Dust Resistance: Both phones are IP68-certified, meaning they are protected from dust and can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
- Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor: Samsung uses its secure and fast in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner in both models, enabling convenient biometric authentication.
- Samsung DeX Wireless: DeX mode turns the phone into a desktop-like experience when connected to a monitor wirelessly, available on both phones for multitasking and productivity on the go.
- Samsung Knox Security: Built-in defense-grade security through Samsung Knox protects data, apps, and the OS integrity. Both phones include Secure Folder support for storing private content.
- Stereo Speakers Tuned by AKG: Each device features a dual-speaker setup tuned by AKG with support for Dolby Atmos, enhancing audio quality for media, games, and calls.
- 5G Connectivity: Both phones support full 5G networks (sub-6GHz and mmWave), delivering ultra-fast downloads and low-latency mobile internet access.
- USB-C 3.2 Port: Each model uses a USB-C 3.2 port, which supports fast data transfer speeds and high-speed wired charging capabilities.
Common Features
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
| Device Type | Flagship Smartphone | Flagship Smartphone |
| Display Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 120Hz (Adaptive) | Up to 120Hz (Adaptive) |
| Resolution Class | QHD+ (1440p) | QHD+ (1440p) |
| HDR Support | HDR10+ | HDR10+ |
| Always-on Display | Yes | Yes |
| S Pen Support | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor |
| Samsung DeX | Wireless DeX supported | Wireless DeX supported |
| Samsung Knox | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo Speakers | Yes, AKG-tuned | Yes, AKG-tuned |
| 5G Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| USB Port | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Price | Check S25 Ultra Price | Check S21 Ultra Price |
FAQ
Does the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra have a better processor than the Galaxy S21 Ultra? Is the Galaxy S25 Ultra more durable than the Galaxy S21 Ultra? Do both phones support the S Pen? Which device has better camera hardware? Is there a difference in display quality between the two models? Do both phones support wireless and reverse wireless charging? Which phone has longer software support? Do both phones come with 5G connectivity? Is the battery capacity the same on both phones? Can I use Samsung DeX on both devices? Which phone supports higher wired charging speeds? Does the Galaxy S25 Ultra have better connectivity features? Is the front camera better on the S25 Ultra? Do both phones have the same IP rating for water and dust resistance? Is there satellite communication on either device? |