Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a truly groundbreaking smartphone that boasts some impressive features. The device's display is its standout aspect, boasting the best AMOLED screen we've seen on a phone yet. Battery life is also excellent, especially for a Samsung flagship, and the addition of S Pen stylus support is a welcome feature. The S21 Ultra's camera setup is super versatile, with four cameras that offer excellent image quality in various lighting conditions. However, while the cameras are great, they could be improved with less heavy-handed processing. Night mode rescues low-light shots, but some users may find the processing too aggressive at times. Performance-wise, the S21 Ultra is a powerhouse, with an Exynos 2100 chipset that delivers fast and seamless performance. The addition of stereo speakers and ultrasonic fingerprint reader are also welcome features. However, some compromises have been made to achieve this level of innovation, such as the lack of expandable storage, headphone jack, and charging adapter. Overall, Samsung has succeeded in making this year's flagship feel like a cutting-edge device. If you're invested in keeping up with the newest tech and price isn't an issue, the S21 Ultra deserves serious consideration. While it may have its flaws, the phone's impressive display, excellent battery life, and versatile camera setup make it a top contender in the smartphone market. In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a bold statement from the brand, showcasing what's possible with innovation and design. It's not perfect, but it's certainly an impressive device that will appeal to those seeking a premium smartphone experience.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts an impressive build quality and design that sets it apart from its predecessors. The device's premium feel is instantly noticeable in the hand, with a solid construction that exudes durability. One of the standout features of the S21 Ultra's design is its elegant aesthetic. The phone's sleek and slender profile makes it a joy to hold and use, while the subtle curves and rounded edges ensure a comfortable fit in even the smallest of hands. The device's build quality is equally impressive, with a sturdy glass front and back that provides excellent protection against scratches and other forms of damage. The IP67 rating ensures that the S21 Ultra can withstand exposure to water and dust, making it perfect for those who lead an active lifestyle or work in harsh environments. In terms of design, the S21 Ultra takes a cue from its predecessors while introducing some fresh new elements. The camera module has been reimagined with a sleeker and more streamlined look, while the overall shape of the phone remains true to form. The use of glass on both the front and back of the device adds an extra layer of sophistication and luxury to the S21 Ultra's design. It's clear that Samsung has put a lot of thought into crafting a device that not only performs exceptionally well but also looks stunning in the process. Overall, the build quality and design of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra are truly exceptional. The phone feels premium from the moment you take it out of the box, and its sleek aesthetic is sure to turn heads. Whether you're a fan of Samsung or simply looking for a new smartphone that exceeds your expectations, the S21 Ultra is definitely worth considering.
Battery Life
One of the most impressive aspects of the Galaxy S21 Ultra is its battery life. This phone is a powerhouse that will last you an entire day, and then some. Whether you're a heavy user who stays online all day or someone who only occasionally checks their phone, this device has got you covered. In our tests, we were blown away by the sheer longevity of the S21 Ultra's battery. We pushed it to its limits with extensive gaming sessions, video streaming, and social media browsing, and yet it still managed to eke out an entire day's worth of usage. Even on moderate use, the phone easily lasted until bedtime. But what really sets the S21 Ultra apart is its ability to power through even the most demanding tasks without breaking a sweat. Whether you're using it for work or play, this phone will keep going long after others would have died. And with its rapid charging capabilities, you can get back up and running in no time. Of course, one of the key factors contributing to the S21 Ultra's impressive battery life is its efficient Exynos 2100 chip. This powerhouse processor ensures that every aspect of the phone runs smoothly, without consuming too much power. In short, if you're looking for a phone with exceptional battery life, look no further than the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Its astonishing longevity and rapid charging capabilities make it an ideal choice for anyone who wants to stay connected all day long.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts an impressive display that sets it apart from its competitors. The AMOLED screen is truly exceptional, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and razor-sharp text. With a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, the display is incredibly detailed, making it perfect for watching videos, browsing the web, or gaming. One of the standout features of the S21 Ultra's display is its brightness level. The screen is capable of reaching an impressive 1,300 nits of peak brightness, which makes it easy to use outdoors even in direct sunlight. This is a significant improvement over previous Samsung flagships and makes the device more usable in sunny conditions. The display also features a high refresh rate of up to 120Hz, which provides a silky-smooth visual experience when scrolling through content or playing games. However, it's worth noting that the refresh rate can be adjusted depending on the type of content being viewed. In terms of color accuracy, the S21 Ultra's display is impressive, with accurate and natural-looking colors. The screen also supports HDR10+ content, which provides an even more immersive viewing experience when watching high-definition videos. One of the most notable aspects of the S21 Ultra's display is its lack of bezels and notch. The device features a nearly edge-to-edge design, making it feel like you're holding a small piece of glass in your hand. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra's display is one of the best on any smartphone currently available. Its impressive brightness level, high refresh rate, and accurate color reproduction make it perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy high-quality visuals on their device.
Camera
One of the most anticipated features of the Galaxy S21 Ultra is its camera system. And while it does deliver in some areas, it falls short in others. The quad-camera setup consists of a 108MP primary sensor, a 40MP front camera, and two telephoto lenses with 3x and 10x optical zoom capabilities. In daylight conditions, the S21 Ultra's cameras are capable of capturing stunning images with vibrant colors and excellent detail. However, it's in low-light situations where the camera struggles to produce results that are on par with other flagship phones. Without Night mode, photos can appear grainy and lacking in depth, but when activated, it does make a significant difference. The telephoto cameras are also capable of producing good results, especially in well-lit conditions. However, their performance is inconsistent, and sometimes they fail to deliver the expected quality. The 10x zoom camera, in particular, can be quite shaky, resulting in blurry photos even with Night mode enabled. Selfie photography is another area where the S21 Ultra excels, producing clear and detailed images that rival those from other flagship phones. However, it's worth noting that the default resolution for selfies is set to 5MP, which might not be ideal for everyone. When it comes to video recording, the S21 Ultra can shoot excellent 4K footage at 30fps, with good stabilization and decent colors. However, the image quality could be sharper, especially when compared to other flagship phones. Overall, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra's cameras are capable of producing some great results, they're not always consistent, and the processing can sometimes feel heavy-handed. With a bit more refinement in software updates, these cameras have the potential to be truly exceptional.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a premium smartphone that boasts an impressive array of features, but its price tag may raise some eyebrows. Priced around $1,199, the S21 Ultra is one of the most expensive smartphones on the market. While it offers a range of cutting-edge features, including a stunning AMOLED display, long-lasting battery life, and versatile camera capabilities, some users may struggle to justify the cost. From a value perspective, the S21 Ultra is a mixed bag. On the one hand, its exceptional performance, sleek design, and advanced camera system make it a top contender in the flagship smartphone market. The addition of S Pen support and Wi-Fi 6e connectivity also adds significant value for those who use these features regularly. However, the lack of expandable storage, a headphone jack, and a charging adapter may be seen as sacrifices by some users. Additionally, while the cameras are capable of producing high-quality images, they can be prone to over-processing, which may detract from the overall user experience. Ultimately, whether or not the S21 Ultra represents good value for money depends on individual priorities and budget constraints. For those who place a premium on having the latest and greatest smartphone features, the S21 Ultra is likely to be worth the investment. However, for those on a tighter budget, there may be more affordable options that offer similar performance and capabilities. In conclusion, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is an impressive smartphone with many strengths, its price tag and potential limitations in terms of value make it a less appealing option for some users.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra's performance is a true highlight of this device. With the Exynos 2100 chipset under its hood, paired with 12GB of RAM (up to 16GB available), this phone delivers lightning-fast everyday tasks and exceptional gaming performance. In CPU benchmarks, the S21 Ultra holds its own against last year's Exynos model, although it doesn't represent a significant improvement over the Snapdragon 865. However, in direct comparisons, the GPU falls behind slightly, likely due to the device's high-resolution screen. Despite this, the phone's everyday tasks feel incredibly swift, and we experienced no thermal throttling during gaming sessions. The S21 Ultra's performance is further enhanced by its support for 5G connectivity, ensuring seamless data transfer across networks. The Exynos chipset may not be as potent as some other options available in certain regions, but it still manages to deliver solid results. One notable aspect of the S21 Ultra's performance is its ability to handle demanding tasks without breaking a sweat. Whether you're gaming, editing photos or videos, or simply enjoying multimedia content, this phone has got your back. The inclusion of stereo speakers only adds to the overall experience, providing rich and immersive audio for an enhanced entertainment experience. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra's performance is more than impressive, making it a top contender in its class. With its potent chipset, ample RAM, and robust GPU, this device can handle even the most demanding tasks with ease. If you're looking for a phone that delivers seamless performance and exceptional gaming capabilities, look no further than the S21 Ultra.