Our quick take

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra - 4.5 / 5

Design

  • Dimensions: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9mm / Weight: 228g Build: Metal and glass construction IP68 waterproofing

Display

  • 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Quad HD+, HDR10+ support Adaptive 10-120Hz refresh 1500 nits brightness S Pen support

Camera

  • Quad rear camera: Main: 108-megapixels, 0.8µm pixel size, f/1.8 aperture, optical stabilisation (OIS), laser autofocus Ultra-wide (120° angle of view): 12MP, 1.4µm, f/2.2 Telephoto (10x): 10MP, 1.22µm, f/4.9, OIS Telephoto (3x): 10MP, 1.22µm, f/2.4, OIS Selfie camera: 40MP, 0.7µm, f/2.2

  • Main: 108-megapixels, 0.8µm pixel size, f/1.8 aperture, optical stabilisation (OIS), laser autofocus Ultra-wide (120° angle of view): 12MP, 1.4µm, f/2.2 Telephoto (10x): 10MP, 1.22µm, f/4.9, OIS Telephoto (3x): 10MP, 1.22µm, f/2.4, OIS

Hardware performance and software

  • Exynos 2100/Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 12/16GB RAM, 128/256/512GB storage 5000mAh, 45W fast-charging 5G connectivity UWB

To recap

The clear flagship in the S21 family - and a better performer than the smaller S21 and S21+ models, thanks to its better cameras - the Ultra is the pick for those who want all the best that Samsung offers. Its great display, stacks of power and performance, is only tempered slightly by battery life that’s quick to drain when put under pressure. Yes it’s been superseded by the S22 ultra, but it still makes a sensible purchase thanks to Samsung’s commitment to software updates.