Galaxy S21 Ultra review

Inside the Box: What You Get and What You Don't — Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

When you unbox the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you'll find the phone itself, a USB-C cable, and a SIM ejector tool—but that's it. Samsung made the same controversial call as Apple, leaving out both a wall charger and wired earphones. If you don’t have a compatible charger at home, you’ll need to buy one separately. The shift is part of a wider industry trend we track in our phone reviews, where removing accessories is becoming common.

There’s no microSD card slot either, so you’ll have to choose your storage tier at purchase: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB. On the bright side, you do get S Pen support, though the stylus itself is sold separately. The phone supports fast 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging for your earbuds or watch. The S21 Ultra also carries an IP68 rating, meaning it can survive a dip in water.

Design: A Metal Camera Bump That Changes Feel — Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

What this means for Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The S21 Ultra weighs 227 grams and feels every bit of it. The standout design feature is the Contour Cut camera module, which is carved directly from the metal frame rather than being a separate bump glued on top. This gives the phone a unique, hewn-from-solid-metal look that’s much sleeker than last year’s S20 Ultra. Samsung uses a matte-textured Gorilla Glass back that resists fingerprints far better than glossy finishes. However, the massive camera array shifts the phone’s center of gravity.

After holding the phone for a while, you’ll notice the weight bias toward the top-left corner, which can make it feel unbalanced. It’s not a dealbreaker, but you’ll need a secure grip. The design is practical and premium, though not the most ergonomic. You can compare its dimensions with other models in our phone directory.

Display: A Giant, Smooth Screen That Saves Power — Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display is one of the phone’s biggest strengths. It runs at a silky 120Hz refresh rate and can scale down to just 10Hz when you’re looking at a static image or reading text, which helps save battery life. The panel is sharp at Quad HD+ resolution (3200 x 1440) and gets extremely bright outdoors. The in-screen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is larger than last year’s—1.7 times bigger—making enable faster and more reliable.

Samsung’s adaptive refresh rate technology is a clever battery-saver, letting the screen dynamically adjust based on what you’re doing. Whether you’re scrolling social media or watching HDR video, the display delivers vivid colors and deep blacks. For anyone who consumes a lot of media on their phone, this screen is a treat. It’s a major reason the S21 Ultra remains a compelling device even years after launch.

Camera System: Five Lenses for Zooms and Close-ups — Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Galaxy S21 Ultra's camera system is its standout feature, designed to fix the autofocus problems that plagued its predecessor. The main 108MP sensor now uses a laser-guided focus system, making photos sharp and reliable. Alongside it, you get a 12MP ultrawide lens and two telephoto cameras: one at 3x optical zoom and another at 10x optical zoom. These dual zoom lenses capture detailed, steady shots even from a distance, outperforming most rivals. The 100x Space Zoom remains a fun trick, but its results are grainy at full stretch.

For everyday use, the 10x and 3x zooms deliver consistently impressive pictures. The camera app includes a tripod lock feature that steadies the viewfinder at higher magnifications, making it easier to frame close-ups. Selfies come from a 40MP sensor, and the entire setup can record 8K video without lag. If you prioritize zoom photography, this phone remains a top choice among Android devices. For comparing camera specs, use our phone finder tool.

Performance and Battery: Fast Chip and All-Day Power — Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Under the hood, the S21 Ultra is powered by either a Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 chip, paired with 12GB to 16GB of RAM. This hardware handles demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming smoothly. The 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display runs at a 120Hz refresh rate, but it can dynamically drop as low as 10Hz to save battery life. That 5,000mAh battery easily lasts a full day of mixed use. Charging is capped at 25W via cable and 15W wirelessly, but no charger comes in the box—a downside for new buyers.

The phone also supports optional S Pen input, a feature borrowed from the Note series, which works well for notes and drawings. At 227 grams, the phone feels heavy, and its large camera module shifts the weight slightly, making it less balanced over time. For a direct comparison of specs, check our side-by-side comparison with the Galaxy S21 Plus.

Is the Galaxy S21 Ultra right for you? — Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The Galaxy S21 Ultra was Samsung's pinnacle smartphone for 2021, offering a premium experience with its large 120Hz screen, versatile five-camera setup, and S Pen compatibility. Its matte finish and Contour Cut design give it a distinct look, though the 227g weight and off-balance feel are noticeable. While it has been superseded by newer models, it still delivers excellent photo quality, especially for zoom enthusiasts. However, it lacks a microSD slot and includes no charger, which may bother some buyers. The IP68 rating ensures water and dust resistance, adding durability.

If you can find it at a reduced price, it remains a powerful option for photography fans who want the best optical zoom available on an Android phone. For up-to-date support info, remember to check Samsung's current update policy. in the end, if you value dual optical zoom and a premium build, this phone is still worth considering.