The most powerful flagship ever released by Samsung is the Galaxy S21 Ultra. For the first time ever, a device from the Galaxy S series supports the S Pen. But is it really the best under every aspect or the previous devices released by the Korean giant still have something better to offer? Is it worth spending more on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or you can get all you need with the previous flagships? We will try to answer these questions through this specs comparison between the latest Samsung top-tier flagships: Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm, 227 g | 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm, 208 grams | 166.9 x 76 x 8.8 mm, 222 g |
| DISPLAY | 6.8 inches, 1440 x 3200p (Quad HD+), Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.9 inches, 1440 x 3088p (Full HD+), 496 ppi, Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.9 inches, 1440 x 3200p (Quad HD+), Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| PROCESSOR | Samsung Exynos 2100, octa-core 2.9 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, octa-core 2.84 GHz |
Samsung Exynos 990, octa-core 2.73 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+, octa-core 3 GHz |
Samsung Exynos 990, octa-core 2.73 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, octa-core 2.84 GHz |
| MEMORY | 12 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 16 GB RAM, 512 GB – micro SD slot | 12 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB – micro SD slot | 12 GB RAM, 128 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 512 GB – micro SD slot |
| SOFTWARE | Android 11, One UI | Android 10, One UI | Android 10, One UI |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS |
| CAMERA | Quad 108 + 10 + 10 + 12 MP, f/1.8 + f/4.9 + f/2.4 + f/2.2 40 MP f/2.2 front camera |
Triple 108 + 12 + 12 MP, f/1.8 + f/3.0 + f/2.2 10 MP f/2.2 front camera |
Quad 108 + 48 + 12 + 0.3 MP, f/1.8 + f/3.5 + f/2.2 + f/1.0 40 MP f/2.2 front camera |
| BATTERY | 5000 mAh, fast charging 25W, Fast wireless charging 15W | 4500 mAh Fast charging 25W and wireless charging 15W |
5000 mAh, fast charging 45W, Fast wireless charging 15W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Hybrid Dual SIM slot, reverse wireless charging 4.5W, waterproof IP68, 5G, S Pen | Hybrid Dual SIM slot, IP68 waterproof, reverse wireless charging 4.5W, 5G, S Pen | Hybrid Dual SIM slot, reverse wireless charging 4.5W, waterproof IP68, 5G |
Design
In my opinion, the design of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is more original and attractive. The camera design makes it more futuristic and it is also more compact than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, despite the latter is actually thinner and lighter. The Galaxy S20 Ultra is even more compact, but the design of its camera module is definitely less beautiful.
Display
The most advanced display is offered by the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: there is not a huge difference if we compare it to the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra, but it is slightly better. Just like the Note 20 Ultra, even the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra supports the S Pen, while the S20 Ultra does not. All the phones come with an in-display fingerprint scanner, curved edges, and a punch-hole design.
Hardware/Software
In the European variant, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the S20 Ultra are powered by the same Exynos 990 chipset. But in the U.S. version, the situation is different since the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is fueled by the Snapdragon 865+, an upgrade of the Snapdragon 865 found on the S20 Ultra. But in each case, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra wins the hardware comparison thanks to even better chipsets: the Exynos 2100 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and S20 Ultra pack up to 16 GB of RAM, while you get a max of 12 GB with the Note 20 Ultra.
Camera
The worst camera phone of the trio is the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra due to inferior secondary sensors. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is actually better thanks to a 48 MP periscopic camera with 4x optical zoom and an additional TOF 3D sensor for depth calculation. But the Galaxy S21 Ultra wins the camera comparison with its 10x optical zoom.
Battery
Galaxy S21 Ultra provides the longest battery life, followed by the Galaxy S20 Ultra with the same 5000 mAh battery capacity. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a bit disappointing with its 4500 mAh battery. The Galaxy S20 Ultra has faster charging speeds. While you can actually find the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra for less than €1000/$900, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the S21 Ultra are priced at more than €1000/$900 even if you look at online street prices. We do not recommend the Note 20 Ultra as its battery is not so satisfying and the S21 Ultra supports the S Pen too. You can go for the S20 Ultra if you want to save money, but you have to say goodbye to S Pen, the higher performance level offered by the S21 Ultra and 10x optical zoom.
Price
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G: PRO and CONS
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
PROS
- More compact
- S Pen
- Amazing cameras
- Longer battery life
- Great design
- Android 11 out of the box
- Best hardware
CONS
- Price
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
PROS
- Wider display
- S Pen
- Better street price
CONS
- Disappointing battery
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
PROS
- Faster charging
- Better cameras than Note 20 Ultra
- Good street prices
CONS
- No S Pen
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