Looking for an honest Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G 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. In our overall scoring the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G comes out ahead 46/100 to 78/100 — a 32-point gap. The widest gap is in performance, where the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G pulls noticeably ahead. On price the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G undercuts the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G by 869% ($133.99 vs $1,299), which materially changes the value calculus for budget-conscious buyers.

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Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G clearly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G in the smartphones category, especially in performance (benchmark 220 vs 75), scoring 78 vs 46. If you want the better overall smartphones, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G is the recommended choice.
Picking Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G over Samsung Galaxy S21 5G means trading these off.
$134
Scores are relative within the smartphonescategory. Percentages show each dimension's weight in the overall score. A difference of less than 0.5 points is considered a tie.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5GW |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.2" | 6.9"✓ |
| Display Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 pixels | — |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness | 1300nits | — |
| HDR | HDR10+ | — |
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | — |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz & 3x2.80 GHz & 4x2.2 GHz) | — |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 / Adreno 660 | — |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB✓ |
| Storage | 128GB | 256GB✓ |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB | — |
| Main Camera | 64MP | 200MP✓ |
| Aperture | f/1.8 | — |
| OIS | Yes | — |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | — |
| Front Camera | 10MP | 12MP✓ |
| Battery | 4000mAh | 5000mAh✓ |
| Charging | 25W | 45W✓ |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | — |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 | Android 15 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | — |
| NFC | Yes | — |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2 | — |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Biometrics | Ultrasonic fingerprint | — |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | — |
| Weight | 169g✓ | 218g |
| Colors | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | — |
| Price | 133.99$ | 1299$ |
Buy Samsung Galaxy S21 5G if…
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G if budget is your top priority — it offers competitive specs at a lower price point.
Buy Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G if…
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G clearly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G in the smartphones category, especially in performance (benchmark 220 vs 75), scoring 78 vs 46. If you want the better overall smartphones, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G is the recommended choice.
No, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G scores higher (78 vs 46).
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is cheaper at $133.99 vs $1299 for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G if budget is your top priority — it offers competitive specs at a lower price point.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G has a larger battery (5,000mAh vs 4,000mAh for the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G), which generally means longer use between charges.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G has the larger display (6.9" vs 6.2").
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G has a higher-resolution main camera (200MP vs 64MP). Note that megapixels are one factor — sensor quality and processing also matter.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is lighter at 169g vs 218g.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G has more RAM (12GB vs 8GB), which helps with multitasking.
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: May 11, 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.