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Samsung Galaxy S21+ vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SamsungGalaxy S21+SamsungGalaxy S26 Ultra
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2021March 2026
Display
Screen size6.7″6.9″
Resolution2400 × 10803120 × 1440
Sharpness393 pixels per inch498 pixels per inch
PanelOLEDLTPO OLED
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness–2,600 nits
Display typeFlat FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display (2,400 × 1,080), HDR10+ certified; adaptive 120 Hz (48–120 Hz); 6.7 inches as a full rectangle, 6.5 inches with rounded cornersDynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 16M colours; 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate (1–120 Hz)
Pixel density394 ppi–
Brightness detail1,300 nits peak–
Screen protectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus front and backCorning Gorilla Armor 2
Display featuresEye Comfort ShieldBuilt-in Privacy Display; anti-reflective display; Vision booster; ProScaler and mDNIe image processing
Performance
ChipExynos 2100Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
Memory8 GB12 GB – 16 GB
Storage128 GB, 256 GB256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
CPU5 nm, 64-bit octa-core, 2.9 GHz + 2.8 GHz + 2.2 GHz; 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAMOcta-core (4.74 GHz, 3.6 GHz)
Cooling–Redesigned Vapor Chamber, Samsung's largest yet, with thermal interface material along the sides of the processor
Storage type128 or 256 GB; no microSD slot–
Cameras
Main camera12 MP200 MP
Ultra wide camera12 MP50 MP
Telephoto camera64 MP50 MP
Optical zoom1.1×5×
Front camera10 MP12 MP
Main camera12 MP wide-angle, Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, 1.8 µm, 79°200 MP wide, F1.4
Ultra wide camera12 MP fixed focus, F2.2, 1.4 µm, 120°50 MP, F1.9
Telephoto camera64 MP, phase detection AF, OIS, F2.0, 0.8 µm, 76°; 1.1x optical zoom (MobileSyrup)50 MP, F2.9, 5x optical zoom
Second telephoto camera–10 MP, F2.4, 3x optical zoom
Front camera10 MP Dual Pixel AF, F2.2, 1.22 µm, 80°12 MP, F2.2, autofocus
Zoom3x Hybrid Optic Zoom; 30x Space Zoom3x and 5x optical zoom; 2x and 10x optical-quality zoom (Adaptive Pixel sensor); digital zoom up to 100x
Video recording8K at 24 fps; 4K at 60 fpsUp to 8K (7680 × 4320) at 30 fps; APV codec; slow motion at 240 fps (FHD) and 120 fps (FHD and UHD)
Camera features–Nightography; Super Steady with Horizontal Lock
Battery and charging
Battery4,800 mAh5,000 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim)Up to 22 hoursUp to 31 hours
Wired chargingUp to 25 WUp to 60 W
Wireless chargingUp to 15 WYes (wattage not published)
Battery life detail4,800 mAh typical, 4,660 mAh rated; wireless video playback up to 22 hours; internet use up to 15 hours (LTE) or 17 hours (Wi-Fi); talk time up to 40 hours (4G)Rated (minimum) capacity 4,855 mAh; at least 1,200 charge cycles; EU energy class A
Wired chargingUSB PD 3.0 (PPS) fast charging, AFC and QC2.0 compatible; up to 25 WSuper Fast Charging 3.0, up to 75% in around 30 minutes with a 60 W adapter (sold separately); QC2.0 and AFC PD compatible
Wireless chargingFast Wireless Charging 2.0 (WPC); up to 15 WSuper Fast Wireless Charging (WPC); Samsung doesn't state the wattage
Charges other devicesWireless PowerShareWireless PowerShare
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight200 g214 g
Thickness7.8 mm7.9 mm
Height × width161.5 × 75.6 mm163.6 × 78.1 mm
Water and dust resistanceIP68IP68
Stylus–Yes
MaterialsMetal frame with Contour Cut camera housing; Deluxe Frosted Haze matte finishArmor Aluminum frame; Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back
ColoursPhantom Violet, Phantom Silver, Phantom BlackCobalt Violet, White, Black, Sky Blue; Pink Gold and Silver Shadow (Samsung.com only)
Water resistance detailIP68, up to 1.5 m of fresh water for up to 30 minutes; not advised for beach or pool useIP68, dust-tight and tested for submersion in up to 1.5 m of fresh water for up to 30 minutes
BiometricsUltrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensor, face recognitionFingerprint sensor
SensorsUltrasonic fingerprint, accelerometer, barometer, gyro, geomagnetic, Hall, proximity, ambient lightAccelerometer, barometer, fingerprint sensor, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, light sensor, proximity sensor
SpeakersStereo speakers; UHQ 32-bit and DSD64/128 playbackStereo speakers
Software
Operating systemAndroidAndroid
Software at launchAndroid 11One UI 8.5 (Android 16)
Software updates–Security updates until 28 February 2033 (UK)
AI features–Galaxy AI, including Now Nudge, Now Brief, Photo Assist and Creative Studio; a choice of agents including Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity
Connectivity
Satellite messaging–Yes
Mobile network5G (NSA, SA), Sub65G Sub6 (FDD, TDD, SDL); 4G LTE (FDD, TDD); 3G WCDMA; 2G GSM
SIMNano-SIM and eSIMTwo nano-SIMs, nano-SIM and eSIM, or dual eSIM
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), 2.4 and 5 GHz, HE80, MIMO, 1024-QAMWi-Fi 7 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be), 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz, EHT320, MIMO, 4096-QAM
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 6.0
Ultra WidebandYesYes
NFCYesYes
Satellite features–Works with O2 Satellite in the UK (texts, supported apps, maps and location sharing where O2 has no signal; not emergency calls); satellite texting and emergency SOS with Verizon in the US
USBUSB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1; DisplayPort output up to 4K at 60 fpsUSB Type-C, USB 3.2 Gen 1
PositioningGPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDouGPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS

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