Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Our Verdict: The Galaxy S21 and the Galaxy S26 Ultra are five years apart, which is enough for a real difference. The S26 Ultra has the better camera on paper, 200MP versus 64MP, and the S26 Ultra has the bigger battery of the two, 5000mAh against 4000mAh, which should mean longer between charges in day-to-day use. The S26 Ultra has the stronger screen, bigger at 6.9" against 6.2" and sharper at 498 PPI, and the S26 Ultra offers up to 1TB of storage versus 256GB on the S21 5G. If you're on the S21 5G, the S26 Ultra is a real step up, but only worth it if the changes above matter to you.
Buying outright, the S21 5G starts at £185 SIM-free.
10 reviews 4.4
12 reviews
Samsung Galaxy S21
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 4.1 10 reviews |
4.4 12 reviews |
| Screen | 6.2" | 6.9" |
| Display | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1440 x 3120 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 424 | 498 |
| Rear Camera | 64 Megapixels | 200 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 10 Megapixels | 12 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| OS | Android 11 | Android |
| SIM Type | Nano SIM | nano-SIM and e-SIM |
| Connectivity | Up to 5G | Up to 5G |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 with A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 171 grams | 214 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP53 - dust and splash protection | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Contracts | - |
£37.29/mo
£29.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £184.99 | £899.00 |
| Deals | Deals |
Cheapest Deals
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S21 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21's 6.2", the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the sharper display at 498 pixels per inch versus 424, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.
Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S21 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 features a 64 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 200 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.
Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Samsung Galaxy S21 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £184.99.
What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S21 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is available in 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.
What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S21 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra use?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is powered by the Exynos 2100, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).
Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy S21 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is the more portable of the two: it's 43g lighter at 171 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm.
Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S21 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is rated IP53 - dust and splash protection, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rated IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).
What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy S21 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra run?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 runs Android 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.