The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a premium Android flagship built around a large QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a 108 MP quad-camera system, 5G connectivity, and a 5000 mAh battery. It was announced on January 14, 2021 and released on January 29, 2021, but its hardware mix still makes it relevant for buyers comparing older flagship phones against newer mid-range models.
This specifications article focuses on the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G as a value-focused flagship option: what its screen, cameras, chipset variants, battery, software support, and connectivity features mean in practical use. A separate full specifications table can be used for the raw technical listing.
Full Specifications
Network
| Technology: | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands: | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | |
| 3G bands: | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| 4G bands: | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 – SM-G998U1 |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 – SM-G998B | |
| 5G bands: | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave – SM-G998U1 |
| 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 – SM-G998B | |
| Speed: | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL) |
Launch
| Announced: | 2021, January 14 |
| Status: | Available. Released 2021, January 29 |
Body
| Dimensions: | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight: | 227 g (Sub6), 229 g (mmWave) (8.01 oz) |
| Build: | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support |
Display
| Type: | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak) |
| Size: | 6.8 inches, 112.1 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution: | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density) |
| Protection: | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
Platform
| OS: | Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Chipset: | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) – InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) – USA/China |
| CPU: | Octa-core (1×2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) – InternationalOcta-core (1×2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) – USA/China |
| GPU: | Mali-G78 MP14 – InternationalAdreno 660 – USA/China |
Memory
| Card slot: | No |
| Internal: | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 |
Main Camera
| Quad: | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.33″, 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 72mm (telephoto), 1/3.24″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 240mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.24″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video |
| Features: | Laser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video: | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
Selfie camera
| Single: | 40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8″, 0.7µm, PDAF |
| Features: | HDR |
| Video: | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
Sound
| Loudspeaker: | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack: | No |
| 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG |
Comms
| WLAN: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth: | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning: | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| NFC: | Yes |
| Radio: | FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent) |
| USB: | USB Type-C 3.2, OTG |
Features
| Sensors: | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support Circle to Search |
Battery
| Type: | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Charging: | 25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless |
Misc
| Colors: | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, Phantom Brown, Navy |
| Models: | SM-G998B, SM-G998B/DS, SM-G998U, SM-G998U1, SM-G998W, SM-G998N, SM-G9980 |
| SAR: | 0.77 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU: | 0.71 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| Price: | € 293.32 / $ 255.00 / £ 238.75 |
Our Tests
| Performance: | AnTuTu: 657150 (v8) GeekBench: 3518 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| Display: | 1023 nits max brightness (measured) |
| Camera: | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker: | -25.5 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery (old): | Endurance rating 114h |
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a compelling combination of features and performance. While the base price is around €293, the actual cost may vary depending on your location and retailer. Below, you’ll find the approximate price of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G converted into various currencies. Please note that these are estimates based on recent exchange rates as of July 15, 2026 and may not reflect the exact price you’ll find at a retailer.
- United States: $335
- Japan: ¥54,326
- United Kingdom: £250
- Australia: A$481
- Canada: C$471
- Taiwan: NT$10,772
- Denmark: kr2.189
- Saudi Arabia: ﷼1,256
- South Korea: ₩499,392
- Germany: €293
- Brazil: R$1.710
- Vietnam: ₫8.776.742
- Kenya: KSh 43,310
- India: ₹32,221
- Indonesia: Rp 6.045.982
- Nigeria: ₦459,313
- Pakistan: ₨93,161
- Philippines: ₱20,649
- Bangladesh: ৳৪১,৩১৪
Why Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is most appealing if you want flagship-grade hardware without paying current ultra-premium launch pricing. Its strongest points are the 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED display, dual telephoto camera setup, IP68-rated body, stereo speakers, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, Samsung DeX, Ultra Wideband support, and broad 5G band coverage depending on model. This is not a simple budget phone; it is an older high-end device whose feature set still feels more complete than many newer mid-range alternatives.
The main trade-offs are also clear. There is no microSD card slot, no 3.5 mm headphone jack, and charging is limited to 25W wired power. Buyers should also check the exact model number because the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G was sold in Exynos and Snapdragon versions, with regional differences in chipset, radio bands, FM radio support, and 5G configuration.
Design and Durability
Samsung built the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G like a top-tier flagship. The phone uses Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back with an aluminum frame, giving it a more premium structure than plastic-backed phones. It is not a compact device, measuring 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm and weighing 227 g for Sub6 models or 229 g for mmWave models, so one-handed use may be difficult for some users.
The IP68 rating is an important advantage for long-term ownership. It is listed as dust tight and water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes under tested conditions. Stylus support also gives the S21 Ultra a productivity angle, although it does not have the built-in S Pen slot found on later Galaxy Ultra models.
Display Quality
The display is one of the biggest reasons to consider this phone. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a 1440 x 3200 pixel resolution. The result is a sharp, high-density screen at about 515 ppi, suitable for streaming, editing photos, reading, gaming, and split-screen multitasking.
Samsung lists a 1500-nit peak brightness figure, while the supplied test data notes 1023 nits measured maximum brightness. That combination points to strong outdoor readability and excellent HDR contrast, especially compared with ordinary LCD or lower-tier OLED phones. Gorilla Glass Victus protection adds useful resistance against scratches and drops, though a case is still sensible because the phone is large and glass-backed.
Performance and Chipset Variants
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G comes with two main platform families. International models use the 5 nm Exynos 2100 with a Mali-G78 MP14 GPU, while USA and China variants use the 5 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G with an Adreno 660 GPU. Both versions use flagship-class CPU layouts built around a Cortex-X1 performance core, Cortex-A78 cores, and Cortex-A55 efficiency cores.
For everyday use, the phone remains powerful enough for demanding apps, multitasking, high-refresh browsing, and advanced camera processing. The listed test results include AnTuTu 657150 on v8, GeekBench 3518 on v5.1, and 33fps in GFXBench ES 3.1 onscreen. It is not positioned as a current-generation gaming champion, but it still has far more performance headroom than typical entry-level and many mid-range Android phones.
Memory and Storage
Storage options range from 128GB to 512GB, with RAM configurations from 8GB to 16GB depending on variant. The use of UFS 3.1 storage is a major plus because it helps app loading, file transfers, camera saving, and general responsiveness feel fast. For power users, the 256GB or 512GB versions are the safer choices.
The biggest limitation is the lack of a card slot. Buyers who record a lot of 4K or 8K video, download large games, or keep offline media libraries should avoid the smallest storage tier unless they already rely heavily on cloud storage or external backup drives.
Camera System
The rear camera setup is still one of the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G’s most distinctive features. It uses a 108 MP wide camera with optical image stabilization, a 10 MP 3x telephoto camera, a 10 MP 10x periscope telephoto camera, and a 12 MP ultrawide camera with dual pixel autofocus. This gives the phone a more flexible optical zoom range than most single-telephoto or digital-zoom-only phones.
Video features are also strong, including 8K at 24fps, 4K at 30 or 60fps, multiple 1080p high-frame-rate modes, HDR10+ recording, stereo sound recording, and gyro-EIS. The 40 MP front camera supports autofocus and can record 4K video at 30 or 60fps, which is useful for creators, video calls, and higher-quality self-recording.
Battery and Charging
The 5000 mAh battery capacity suits the phone’s large screen and flagship hardware. The supplied test data lists an old endurance rating of 114 hours, which suggests solid stamina for mixed use. Actual battery life will depend on network conditions, screen brightness, 5G use, refresh rate, camera recording, and battery health on used units.
Charging support includes 25W wired charging with PD3.0, 15W Qi wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The wired charging speed is modest by newer Android flagship standards, but the inclusion of wireless and reverse wireless charging keeps the phone practical for users with earbuds, watches, or Qi charging pads.
Software and Productivity Features
The phone launched with Android 11 and is listed with up to four major Android upgrades and One UI 6.1. That software path is important because it means the S21 Ultra 5G received a longer update commitment than many Android phones from the same era. Buyers should still check the current update status for the exact region and model before purchasing.
Samsung DeX and Wireless DeX are standout productivity features. They allow the phone to work in a desktop-style environment with compatible displays and accessories. Combined with stylus support, high RAM options, and a large screen, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is better suited to work, note-taking, file handling, and media workflows than most standard slab phones.
Connectivity and Model Checks
Connectivity is broad, but model selection matters. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE, and 5G, with LTE Cat20 and 5G download speeds listed at 5+ Gbps under suitable conditions. The SM-G998U1 includes Sub6 and mmWave 5G support, while the SM-G998B focuses on Sub6 5G bands.
Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, USB Type-C 3.2 with OTG, and UWB support. FM radio is listed only for Snapdragon models and remains market or operator dependent. Before buying, confirm whether the exact model supports your carrier’s main LTE and 5G bands, especially if importing the phone.
Who Is This Phone Best For?
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is best for buyers who care about display quality, zoom photography, premium construction, wireless charging, Samsung ecosystem features, and strong multitasking performance. It is especially attractive if the price is close to the supplied raw market figures, because that places it against much newer but less feature-rich mid-range phones.
It is less ideal for users who want a lightweight phone, very fast wired charging, expandable storage, a headphone jack, or the longest possible future software support. It also requires careful used-phone inspection: battery health, display condition, camera glass, charging port wear, water exposure history, and model number are all worth checking before purchase.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G remains a serious flagship-class option thanks to its sharp 120Hz AMOLED display, versatile quad-camera system, premium build, 5000 mAh battery, DeX support, UWB, and broad connectivity. Its age shows in charging speed, storage expansion, and update runway, but the core hardware is still strong. Recommended for buyers who want a feature-rich Samsung Ultra phone at a lower price and are willing to verify the exact model and condition before buying.
References
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Official Specifications – Primary manufacturer source for core specifications such as display, camera, memory, battery, dimensions, connectivity and device features.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Support and Manuals (samsung.com) – Official support and manual pages help verify model numbers, SIM/eSIM behavior, charging, accessories, safety information and region-specific details.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform – Primary chipset source for Snapdragon 888 variants, including CPU, GPU, 5G modem, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and imaging platform capabilities.
- Samsung Exynos 2100 Mobile Processor – Primary chipset source for Exynos 2100 variants used in many regions, useful for CPU, GPU, modem and connectivity details.
- GSMArena Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Specifications – Well-known phone specification database useful for cross-checking manufacturer data, regional variants, network bands, sensors and launch details.
