Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra it's the best Samsung can offer in the phone industry. In fact, it was born to be a super top of the range, the most complete and performing within a series that already consists of only flagships. So let's find out how he behaves in everyday life and what distinguishes him from his younger brothers.
- The video-review of Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Design
- Performances
- Autonomy
- Camera
- Compatibility with S-Pen
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra data sheet
- Conclusions
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review
Before going into the actual test, let's make a proper premise. Why propose an Ultra model that is "Ultra" even in price? In fact, we are talking about a phone that starts from € 1.279. Not really cheap.
In fact, we have already anticipated it. S21 Ultra was born to be the highest expression of Samsung technology and this allows the company to show the world what it is currently capable of doing, folding aside. Then there is a second reason: the Ultra model was born for satisfy the most demanding customers giving them everything a smartphone can hold. Of course, all this raises production costs and, consequently, sales costs.
Our task here is to understand if the price is adequate for what is offered and if the 400 euros more than the S21 (which we told you about in this review) are justified.
Design
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra he is the eldest of three brothers and you notice it right away. The dimensions are quite generous as well as the weight it gets to 227 grams. Nothing unusual though. It's almost the standard for larger phones by now, and you get used to it pretty quickly eventually.
Again, however, there is the design that abandons the island module for the rear camera in favor of a solution that blends seamlessly with the smartphone body. However, the footprint remains important and without a cover it is a bit unstable on flat surfaces but a cover is enough to solve the problem.
On the front instead we find the camera hole but above all l’enorme display Dynamic AMOLED 2X da 6,8 pollici. As on the other models of the S21 series we find an adaptive refresh rate which, however, this time varies da soli 10 Hz to I 120 Hz. The software decides the variations will adjust the refresh rate based on the content. We will therefore have higher frequencies for videos or video games and lower frequencies when consulting static pages, with consequent energy savings.
Let's not forget the brightness that reaches i 1500 nits. Know that it is not an easily noticeable element with the naked eye. You will notice the greater brightness only by comparing it to another device.
Overall the viewing experience is really excellent, with vivid colors and deep blacks. In daily use it is fluid and easy to consult in all conditions, even in direct sunlight.
We forgot: it is positioned under the screen the fingerprint reader, fast and accurate. You can also count on the face unlock, albeit a little less secure.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review: performance
On the performance front, the Galaxy S21 Ultra really offers the best. The Exynos 2100 processor, together with 12 or 16 GB of RAM, holds all kinds of activities. We used the smartphone to work, watch multimedia content, surf the net and play without any kind of difficulty.
Pay attention only to the memory cut you will choose. This year Samsung has decided not to make the memory expandable. No microSD so but only the internal storage space which can be 128, 256 or 512 GB. In fact, it's not a big limitation. It's all about choosing the cut that suits your needs and making the most of cloud services, be it Google Photo, OneDrive or any other alternative.
Connectivity is trusted to WiFi 6, to Bluetooth 5.1 and to 5G. S21 Ultra is therefore ready to support next generation networks. If you don't live in a covered area, don't worry. You can always disable it until you need it.
Finally we come to the software with Android 11 and One UI 3.0. It is not exclusive to the S21 series, mind you. In fact, the new interface has also arrived on the S20 and Note 20 but on the new top of the range there are some small precautions that make it simple and intuitive even for new users. All this is combined with technologies and features already known as Knox for security or Samsung DeX to connect the smartphone to a monitor and turn it into a real PC.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Smartphone, Charger Included, ...
- The package also contains the 25W Samsung charger for Fast Charging, to recharge your Galaxy S21 ...
- 108MP camera to capture all the details with amazing clarity. Get 12-bit shots with the ...
- Capture all the details with the 100x Space Zoom with two lenses. Thanks to the dual 3x optical + 10x optical telephoto lens and ...
Autonomy
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the most “bodied” of the range. Its battery is 5.000 mAh and, as we expected, it has no problems making it to the end of the day, thanks also to the new processor which has been designed precisely to reduce consumption.
We would have expected a little more but the situation could improve over time. Samsung uses artificial intelligence to adapt consumption to your habits so consider that the more you use it the more it will learn to be thrifty in terms of energy.
Finally, we remind you, as done with S21, that the power supply is not included in the package. You only have one USB-C cable that you may need to use with a charger you already own.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review: camera
The photographic sector is certainly one of the most interesting aspects of Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which houses the following sensors on the back:
- 108 MP main camera
- 12MP ultra wide angle
- 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom
- 10 MP telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom
- 40 MP front
The camera is one of the aspects that most differentiates the S21 Ultra from its younger brothers. And with a name like this, what is expected is a camera to be defined as “ultra”.
At first glance we still find both the main 108 million pixel sensor that function Space Zoom 100x. But it is enough to scroll a little through the technical features to notice the first big news that Samsung has brought to the S21. In fact, a 10M sensor is combined with the 10x zoom lensP (no more 48MP). It might seem like a step back when looking at the number of pixels, but it's actually a choice we appreciate, because increasing the numbers doesn't always lead to better results.
Alongside these two sensors we find even three others. We start from the one intended for optics 12MP super wide angle, passing through the one from 10MP on 3x lens and ending with that 40 million pixel front for selfies.
A laser sensor for managing autofocus is also added to the rich rear photographic compartment. Thanks to this novelty, especially with the main sensor, a big step forward has been made.
But let's get to the results and let's start with the main sensor of the S21 Ultra, renewed compared to the first generation one and able to record 12-bit RAW images. The 108 million pixels are exploited with pixel binning technology, which combines 9 pixels together into a single larger one, resulting in 12MP final images. This operation allows you to count on larger pixels, which thus offer more detail, a wider dynamic range and better noise resistance.
In general, the results are as per tradition very bright and lively, cOn the shadows always very open and details in the corner of the frame. Even in low light it is noticeable that there is much less noise than there was with the S20 Ultra. But also, thanks to artificial intelligence, when the lighting conditions are not favorable they are taken multiple images at different exposures for maximum detail and light.
The image quality also increases when we use Samsung S21 Ultra using the 3x and 10x optics. Focus is very precise even at maximum excursions thanks to Dual Pixel AF, but, moreover, the lower number of megapixels overall allows individual pixels to work better. And if after 10x optical quality begins its slow decline, let's say that we are free to go up to 30x without running into major problems. The much talked about Space Zoom 100x has also been improved, but it is still a mode whose real use remains a mystery.
Let's close by taking a look at the super wide angle optics. Despite some flaws in the management of optical distortions and an inaccurate rendering of details, the results are satisfactory overall. Surely the wide angle of view and the possibility of shooting even at very close distances open up to different creative possibilities.
Something to review, however, in portrait mode. If the detachment of the planes is managed very well, with a soft transition from the in-focus to the out-of-focus area, the rendering of the complexions and details is less good. But finally we can decide whether or not to use the "beauty" mode.
We are also sorry to see how the RAW function is only available in PRO mode. If in general it can be a shareable choice to offer the best only to those who really seek maximum control over images, we would have appreciated the possibility of using the uncompressed format even automatically.
Overall Samsung S21 Ultra offers us many possibilities of use from a photographic point of view, in some cases, however, they require certain technical knowledge. The PRO mode is rich and the 12-bit RAW format really offers great results, but overall this is a module that can deliver high-level performance even leaving everything in charge of automatisms.
We also find some news on the video front. In fact, we have the new one Director's view that shows a preview of what all the sensors are shooting, allowing you to check the shot before changing cameras. Galaxy Buds Pro owners can also take advantage of the new true wireless headphones as an external microphone, so as to improve the audio performance of movies.
There are also elements inherited from previous models, including the ability to register video in 8K a 24 fps. As said for S21, Samsung has taken a step forward with this format but there is still room for improvement. Instead, I promoted the videos in 4K at 60 fps, which you can record using all sensors of the rear photographic compartment.
An interesting accessory: the S Pen
The most attentive among you will remember an interesting parenthesis of the official conference. In fact, Samsung has announced the compatibility of the S21 Ultra with the S Pen, the nib that has accompanied the Note series for years. It has always been integrated on the latter and can be easily inserted into the appropriate housing. The new top of the range, on the other hand, does not include a hole for the stylus and is not sold together with the latter. On the contrary, you will have to buy it on the Samsung store by spending 44,90 €. A Pro variant, larger and similar to what is seen on Korean tablets, should then arrive by the end of 2021.
I know, the idea of spending more money doesn't appeal to you. In this we have good news for you: you can also use the S Pen from the old Notes. It will work perfectly on the S21 too, drawing on the same software features which we have come to love on Samsung's other flagship series.
The problem is where to place the stylus when it is not in use. Well, two additional accessories come in handy. Or rather, dand cover with S Pen support which are sold together with the latter. The cost? € 75,90 for the silicone case and € 99,90 for the Smart Clear View Cover.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: technical sheet
Dimensions: 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm
Weight: 227 g
Display: 6,8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X – 1440 x 3200 pixel – 10-120 Hz
CPU: Samsung Exynos 2100
RAM: 12 / 16 GB
Memory: 128 / 256 / 512 GB
Network: 5G – Dual SIM
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, GPS, NFC
Battery: 5000 mAh
Rear camera: 108 + 10 + 10 + 12 MP
Front Camera: 40 MP
Videos: 8k @24 fps
Operating system: Android 11 with One UI 3.0
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review: buy it or not?
We have reached the end of our review and this brings us back to the original question. Is Galaxy S21 Ultra worth what Samsung asked for? Is the € 400 difference with the basic model justified?
It goes without saying that the answer to both questions is yes. We are facing a high-end device - very high - that does everything and does it very well: good display, excellent performance, complete photographic compartment and even support for the S Pen. All “Ultra” features that justify the over 1.200 € required for the purchase.
If you are looking for the top of the tops it is definitely a great choice. If, on the other hand, you want a well-made top of the range but are not interested in the small improvements of the display, the additional functions of the camera and the S Pen, our suggestion is to aim for one of the younger brothers, so save a little something.
Before concluding, we would like to point out that also for the S21 Ultra it is possible to access the rental, exchange and installment payment programs with Klarna. Find more information on the official smartphone page.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Pro 
- New design
- Excellent build quality
- Display Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Excellent performance
- Class-leading cameras
Cons 
- No memory expansion
- Improved battery
