In January 2021, Samsung released its newest flagship series in the Galaxy S21. This series offered four models, but let’s compare how the standard S21 compares to the top tier S21 Ultra.

Camera

Starting with the camera, we find that the S21 Ultra offers a lot more potential. The S21 Ultra has 4 rear camera lenses compared to the standard Galaxy S21, with the addition of a telephoto lens capable of 10x zoom. While you’ll find enhanced zoom capabilities and more megapixels on the main rear camera on the S21 Ultra (108MP compared to 12MP), you’ll have the same features/modes on both models since they use the same camera software.

Battery

You’ll also find a higher battery capacity on the Galaxy S21 Ultra over the S21. The Ultra increases capacity by 25% at 5,000 mAh compared to the S21’s 4,000 mAh battery. So you’ll likely find get a few more hours out of a full charge on the more advanced of the two models, but both can charge at up to 25W.

Display

If you prefer a bigger phone, then you’ll want to stick with the upgraded S21 Ultra, which has a 6.8-inch display, where the S21 measures in at 6.2-inches. Both have the same max refresh rate at 120 Hz, but the S21 Ultra has an upgraded QHD screen, giving you more detail than the S21.

Storage Options

The S21 Ultra definitely comes out ahead when it comes to storage as it offers up to 512 GB and options for 12 GB or 16GB of RAM. The S21 on the other hand only offers up to 256 GB of storage and only has one RAM option for 8 GB.

Processor

Both the Galaxy S21 and S21 Ultra 5G run on the same Snapdragon 888 chipset, which provides a nice upgrade in processing speed and power over the previous S20 series.

Overall, if you’re looking to get the most out of your Galaxy S21, then it makes sense to cash in on the upgraded camera features and increased storage/battery capacities offered by the Galaxy S21 Ultra. However, keep in mind that if you prefer a smaller phone and don’t need the extra storage, you can save a good bit by opting for the standard S21.