Looking for an honest Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs TCL 40 NxtPaper comparison in 2026? We scored both smartphones on the same six-dimension framework — performance, battery, display, camera, design and value — using identical methodology, so the numbers below are directly comparable. Both products score nearly identically (56/100 vs 57/100) — this is a genuine toss-up that hinges on which specs matter most for your use case. The widest gap is in camera quality, where the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G pulls noticeably ahead. Both products sit in the same price band (around $254), so this comparison comes down to spec preference rather than budget.
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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and TCL 40 NxtPaper are closely matched smartphones devices with nearly identical overall scores (56 vs 57). The best choice depends on which specific features matter most to you.
Samsung
$259
Scores are relative within the smartphonescategory. Percentages show each dimension's weight in the overall score. A difference of less than 0.5 points is considered a tie.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | TCL 40 NxtPaper |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.8"✓ | 6.5" |
| Display Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | LCD |
| Resolution | 3200 x 1440 pixels | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness | 1750nits | — |
| HDR | HDR10+ | — |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | — |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | MediaTek Helio G37 |
| CPU | Octa-core 2.9 GHz | — |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | — |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 512GB✓ |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | — |
| Main Camera | 108MP✓ | 50MP |
| Aperture | f/1.8 | — |
| OIS | Yes | — |
| Zoom | 10x optical | — |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | — |
| Front Camera | 40MP✓ | 8MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh | 5000mAh |
| Charging | 25W✓ | 18W |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | — |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 14 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | 5.2 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 | — |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | — |
| Biometrics | Under-display fingerprint | — |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | — |
| Weight | 228g | 190g✓ |
| Colors | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Brown | Black, White |
| Price | 258.69$ | 249$✓ |
Buy Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if…
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Buy TCL 40 NxtPaper if…
The TCL 40 NxtPaper is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and TCL 40 NxtPaper are closely matched smartphones devices with nearly identical overall scores (56 vs 57). The best choice depends on which specific features matter most to you.
Both products score similarly — it depends on your priorities.
TCL 40 NxtPaper is cheaper at $249 vs $258.69 for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
The TCL 40 NxtPaper is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Both have the same 5000mAh battery.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has the larger display (6.8" vs 6.5").
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a higher-resolution main camera (108MP vs 50MP). Note that megapixels are one factor — sensor quality and processing also matter.
TCL 40 NxtPaper is lighter at 190g vs 228g.
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: May 22, 2026
Methodology: AI-powered analysis of technical specifications from manufacturer data. Scores are calculated by comparing products across multiple dimensions and normalized relative to the full category database. Our editorial process is independent and not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
