Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review

Performance

As with any Samsung phone, it’s hard not to sing its praises. The last generation’s processor was no slouch and this year’s new one saw no complaints when it came to multitasking and quick scrolling.

Software & Storage

Software and storage are the only areas where reviewers could find faults. In the past, those who wanted to buy a Samsung Galaxy didn’t have to worry about purchasing the baseline model because it was easy to add storage later using a MicroSD card. The new Samsung line has done away with that card support, so now you will have to buy the phone with more storage upfront -- a great disappointment to reviewers.

On the software front, the implementation of OneUI 3.0 made the phone is even snappier, and menus are simplified and easy-to-use. It runs over the top of Android 11. But it still includes Bixby, a feature some reviewers dubbed the ‘Clippy’ of this generation of phones. Its added bloat and redundant features failed to impress most reviewers.

Cameras

As with most smartphones today, the most competitive part is its cameras. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra continues to set the bar for Android photography. Reviewers said that the S21 Ultra fixed a lot of the problems with previous Samsung releases. There are five cameras in all, offering a telephoto lens, a selfie cam, and zoom capabilities. Whether you’re a budding photographer or a seasoned professional, the Galaxy S21 Ultra can help you make the most of your shots.

Battery Life

Despite the size of the phone, the battery is surprisingly reliable. Reviewers stated that it would easily make it to the end of the day for serious phone users. For those who use their phones casually, you might even make it into the next day on a single charge.

If you don’t already have a fast charger -- or any charger at all -- you’ll want to budget for one. That’s because Samsung doesn’t include one with the phone to cut down on electronic waste.

Audio

Reviewers didn’t mention audio quality much. As with any smartphone, you’re going to get the best audio quality by using headphones.

Speaking of which, much like the charger, Samsung doesn’t include earbuds with the phone to cut down on waste.

Specs at a Glance

• Gorilla Victus Glass chassis
• 6.8-inch AMOLED display
• Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 processor
• 12/16GB of RAM
• Android 11
• 128/256/512GB of onboard storage
• 108MP main lens, 10MP 10x zoom, 10MP 3x zoom and 12MP ultra-wide camera
• 5000mAh battery
• compatible with S-Pen
  
  

Bottom Line

It goes without saying that Samsung is nearly always at the top of the pack. So it should be no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is no exception. It has become exponentially closer in comparison to the new iPhone. The lack of MicroSD expansion has marred reviewers’ opinions somewhat. Having to pay extra for more storage up front is a new change for Samsung. In terms of everything else, there’s not a lot to say about the phone in terms of failings. At the end of the day, the simple question is, can you afford it and do you need a phone this powerful?

Tech Radar says, “Surprise, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is launching a month earlier than anticipated, and that’s good news if you’re eager to own the very best of what Samsung can pack into a smartphone. It wowed us with a huge screen, five cameras and the best zoom on any readily available Android phone. Caution: while it's cheaper than last year’s ‘Ultra’ phone, it remains pricey for average consumers, and it doesn’t come with a microSD card slot nor does it include a charger.”

Tom’s Guide states, “Samsung’s top-end phone beats Apple’s flagship in several ways, offering features the iPhone simply can’t match, from its dual zoom cameras to its optional S Pen support. Samsung has definitely upped its game for this year after a lackluster effort with last year's Galaxy S20 Ultra.”