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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SamsungGalaxy S21 UltraSamsungGalaxy S26
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2021March 2026
Display
Screen size6.8″6.3″
Resolution3200 × 14402340 × 1080
Sharpness516 pixels per inch409 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, FHD+, 16M colours; 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate (1–120 Hz)
Pixel density515 ppi–
Brightness detail1,500 nits peak–
Screen protectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus front and backCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Display featuresEye Comfort ShieldVision booster; mDNIe image processing
Performance
ChipExynos 2100Exynos 2600
Memory12 GB – 16 GB12 GB
Storage128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB256 GB, 512 GB
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 GBDeca-core (3.8 GHz, 3.26 GHz, 2.76 GHz)
Cooling–Redesigned Vapor Chamber with tailored thermal interface material; Samsung claims 29% better thermal performance than the Galaxy S25 series
Storage type128, 256 or 512 GB; no microSD slot–
Cameras
Main camera108 MP50 MP
Ultra wide camera12 MP12 MP
Telephoto camera10 MP10 MP
Optical zoom10×3×
Front camera40 MP12 MP
Main camera108 MP wide-angle, phase detection AF, OIS, F1.8, 0.8 µm, 83°; laser AF sensor50 MP wide, F1.8
Ultra wide camera12 MP Dual Pixel AF, F2.2, 1.4 µm, 120°12 MP, F2.2
Telephoto camera10 MP Dual Pixel AF, 10x optical, OIS, F4.9, 1.22 µm, 10°10 MP, F2.4, 3x optical zoom
Second telephoto camera10 MP Dual Pixel AF, 3x optical, OIS, F2.4, 1.22 µm, 35°–
Front camera40 MP phase detection AF, F2.2, 0.7 µm, 80°12 MP, F2.2, autofocus
Zoom3x and 10x optical; 100x Space Zoom3x optical zoom; 2x optical-quality zoom (Adaptive Pixel sensor); digital zoom up to 30x
Video recording8K at 24 fps; 4K at 60 fpsUp to 8K (7680 × 4320) at 30 fps; slow motion at 240 fps (FHD) and 120 fps (FHD and UHD)
Camera features–Nightography video; Super Steady with Horizontal Lock
Battery and charging
Battery5,000 mAh4,300 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim)Up to 22 hoursUp to 30 hours
Wired chargingUp to 25 WUp to 25 W
Wireless chargingUp to 15 WYes (wattage not published)
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)Rated (minimum) capacity 4,175 mAh; at least 1,200 charge cycles; EU energy class A
Wired chargingUSB PD 3.0 (PPS) fast charging, AFC and QC2.0 compatible; 25 WUp to 55% in around 30 minutes with a 25 W adapter and 3 A USB-C cable (adapter sold separately); QC2.0 and AFC PD compatible
Wireless chargingFast Wireless Charging 2.0 (WPC); 15 WFast Wireless Charging 2.0 (WPC); Samsung doesn't state the wattage
Charges other devicesWireless PowerShareWireless PowerShare
Design
TypeStandardStandard
Weight227 g167 g
Thickness8.9 mm7.2 mm
Height × width165.1 × 75.6 mm149.6 × 71.7 mm
Water and dust resistanceIP68IP68
StylusYes–
MaterialsMetal frame with Contour Cut camera housing; Deluxe Frosted Haze matte finishArmor Aluminum frame; Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back
ColoursPhantom Black, Phantom Silver; Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy and Phantom Brown on Samsung.comCobalt 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 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 WidebandYes–
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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