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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SamsungGalaxy S21 UltraSamsungGalaxy S25 Ultra
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2021February 2025
Display
Screen size6.8″6.9″
Resolution3200 × 14403120 × 1440
Sharpness516 pixels per inch498 pixels per inch
PanelOLEDLTPO OLED
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness–2,600 nits
Display typeEdge QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display (3,200 × 1,440), HDR10+ certified; adaptive 120 Hz (10–120 Hz); 6.8 inches as a full rectangle, 6.6 inches with rounded cornersDynamic AMOLED 2X, Quad HD+, 16M colours; Super Smooth 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate (1–120 Hz); 6.9 inches as a full rectangle, 6.8 inches allowing for the rounded corners
Pixel density515 ppi–
Brightness detail1,500 nits peak–
Screen protectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus front and backCorning Gorilla Armor 2 (glass-ceramic with an anti-reflective surface treatment)
Display featuresEye Comfort ShieldVision booster; Adaptive colour tone; ProScaler image upscaling
Performance
ChipExynos 2100Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
Memory12 GB – 16 GB12 GB
Storage128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
CPU5 nm, 64-bit octa-core, 2.9 GHz + 2.8 GHz + 2.2 GHz; 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, or 16 GB with 512 GBOcta-core (4.47 GHz, 3.5 GHz); 3 nm
GPU–Real-time ray tracing; Vulkan optimisation
Cooling–Larger vapour chamber with a new thermal interface material (TIM)
Storage type128, 256 or 512 GB; no microSD slot–
Cameras
Main camera108 MP200 MP
Ultra wide camera12 MP50 MP
Telephoto camera10 MP50 MP
Optical zoom10×5×
Front camera40 MP12 MP
Main camera108 MP wide-angle, phase detection AF, OIS, F1.8, 0.8 µm, 83°; laser AF sensor200 MP wide, F1.7, 85° field of view, OIS, autofocus; Adaptive Pixel sensor
Ultra wide camera12 MP Dual Pixel AF, F2.2, 1.4 µm, 120°50 MP, F1.9, 120° field of view; macro shots
Telephoto camera10 MP Dual Pixel AF, 10x optical, OIS, F4.9, 1.22 µm, 10°50 MP, F3.4, 22° field of view, OIS, 5x optical zoom
Second telephoto camera10 MP Dual Pixel AF, 3x optical, OIS, F2.4, 1.22 µm, 35°10 MP, F2.4, 36° field of view, OIS, 3x optical zoom
Front camera40 MP phase detection AF, F2.2, 0.7 µm, 80°12 MP, F2.2, 80° field of view, autofocus
Zoom3x and 10x optical; 100x Space Zoom3x and 5x optical zoom; 2x and 10x optical-quality zoom (Adaptive Pixel sensor); Space Zoom up to 100x digital
Video recording8K at 24 fps; 4K at 60 fpsUp to 8K (7680 × 4320) at 30 fps; 10-bit HDR recording by default; Log video; slow motion at 240 fps (FHD) and 120 fps (FHD and UHD)
Camera features–ProVisual Engine; Nightography; Audio Eraser; Expert RAW; Filters made from your own photos
Battery and charging
Battery5,000 mAh5,000 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim)Up to 22 hoursUp to 31 hours
Wired chargingUp to 25 WUp to 45 W
Wireless chargingUp to 15 WUp to 15 W
Battery life detail5,000 mAh typical, 4,855 mAh rated; wireless video playback up to 22 hours; internet use up to 18 hours (LTE) or 18 hours (Wi-Fi); talk time up to 41 hours (4G)5,000 mAh typical, 4,855 mAh rated; at least 2,000 charge cycles; EU energy class B, 44 h 54 min per charge cycle
Wired chargingUSB PD 3.0 (PPS) fast charging, AFC and QC2.0 compatible; 25 WUp to 65% in around 30 minutes with a 45 W adapter (sold separately); compatible with QC2.0 and AFC/PD
Wireless chargingFast Wireless Charging 2.0 (WPC); 15 WFast Wireless Charging 2.0 (WPC Qi); Qi certified at 15 W (Extended Power Profile)
Charges other devicesWireless PowerShareWireless PowerShare
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight227 g218 g
Thickness8.9 mm8.2 mm
Height × width165.1 × 75.6 mm162.8 × 77.6 mm
Water and dust resistanceIP68IP68
StylusYesYes
MaterialsMetal frame with Contour Cut camera housing; Deluxe Frosted Haze matte finishTitanium frame (not the volume and side keys)
ColoursPhantom Black, Phantom Silver; Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy and Phantom Brown on Samsung.comTitanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Grey, Titanium Whitesilver; Titanium Jetblack, Titanium Jadegreen and Titanium Pinkgold (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, tested for submersion in up to 1.5 m of fresh water for up to 30 minutes; not advised for beach or pool use
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 7 (Android 15)
Software updates–Seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates; security updates until 31 January 2032 (UK)
AI features–Galaxy AI, including Now Brief, Now Bar and Audio Eraser; Circle to Search with Google (finger or S Pen); Gemini on the side button
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 6E (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), HE160, MIMO, 1024-QAMWi-Fi 7 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be), 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz, EHT320, MIMO, 4096-QAM
BluetoothBluetooth 5.2Bluetooth 5.4
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)
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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