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Galaxy S21 Ultra review: Nailed it

The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G had one job: Be better than last year’s Galaxy S20 Ultra. The Galaxy S21 Ultra, while just as bold, is a refined second take on the Ultra concept. There is still the 100 times “space zoom.” But it’s easier to use. There is still the “big for sake of being…

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The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G had one job: Be better than last year’s Galaxy S20 Ultra. The Galaxy S21 Ultra, while just as bold, is a refined second take on the Ultra concept. There is still the 100 times “space zoom.” But it’s easier to use. There is still the “big for sake of being big” design, but it looks much more appealing. And there is still a high price, but at $1,200 it costs $200 less than the S20 Ultra.

104 Comments

  1. ivan aleman

    January 21, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    Watching this video in 1440p on a 1440p Samsung tablet is joyful.

  2. Sandi Hermana

    January 21, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    i really don’t like when your review android phone especially Galaxy S21 ultra because you are always review Smartphone from apple that is iPhone

  3. Aiman Aquil

    January 21, 2021 at 6:20 pm

    I’m buying S21 😍

  4. Malcolmmillsknows

    January 21, 2021 at 6:30 pm

    If I can sell my IPhone 12 Pro Max I will be ordering the 21 Ultra.

  5. colbybrakefield

    January 21, 2021 at 6:54 pm

    G-Vegas!

  6. Pamela McGee

    January 21, 2021 at 6:55 pm

    I Believe A Phone Should Last Until Broke Like Me. No Expensive Replacements Allowed.

  7. Vernon Lee Warren

    January 21, 2021 at 6:58 pm

    Really nice looking device. However no sale for me. Samsung has removed to many things for me. No case, no SD card support, no headphones, no charging brick, no headphone jack, no IR Blaster, no Iris sensor, no LED Notification Sensor, no heart rate monitor. I’m done.

    • Josepha-Michal Walker

      January 21, 2021 at 8:35 pm

      Also no S pen storage or pen you have to buy it and it won’t tell you if you leave the damn pen behind like a Note does.

    • sherri moquin

      January 21, 2021 at 8:37 pm

      For that last part you said I think you meant to say heart rate not rare

    • Vernon Lee Warren

      January 21, 2021 at 8:39 pm

      @sherri moquin thanks I fixed it 👍

    • sherri moquin

      January 21, 2021 at 8:41 pm

      @Vernon Lee Warren your welcome

    • Vernon Lee Warren

      January 21, 2021 at 9:20 pm

      @sherri moquin I do have a YouTube channel if you would like to check it out. Its my name Vernon Lee Warren. Thanks 👍

  8. Tomas Henry

    January 21, 2021 at 7:29 pm

    Thank you Bro.. Very good job.. I like ❤👍

  9. Christopher Rivera

    January 21, 2021 at 7:30 pm

    It would be awesome if Samsung could make there own messaging service!! Something like iMessage so I can send quality videos to friends 🙂

    • CRISS A.

      January 21, 2021 at 10:12 pm

      Rcs messaging from Google is probably the closest to imessage we’ll get 🤷‍♀️

  10. Donald Pump

    January 21, 2021 at 8:37 pm

    Oh yea can’t wait to store all those high resolution photos and videos on the non expandable storage 😑

    • Dhruv Kumar

      January 21, 2021 at 8:47 pm

      Why? 512GB not enough?

    • Antonio.8xd

      January 21, 2021 at 8:55 pm

      @Dhruv Kumar +cloud😆

  11. Tymmz

    January 21, 2021 at 8:48 pm

    im so glad you keep reviewing phones…soooo much more authentic and enjoyable to watch. keep up the fantastic work. most other channels (i.e. Verge, MrMobile, MobileTechReview,etc) are either way over the top or too simplistic.

  12. Michael Slack

    January 21, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    I ordered one but 😭 no SD card

  13. Muaaz l

    January 21, 2021 at 9:34 pm

    Great review!

  14. CRISS A.

    January 21, 2021 at 10:15 pm

    In your opinion people, is the note 21 gonna resemble this phone? Or should we wait for that flagship?

  15. SuCKeRPunCH187

    January 21, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    will there be a galaxy note 21?

  16. Osama

    January 21, 2021 at 11:14 pm

    You are not using the phones processing power when playing xbox game pass games.

  17. 24ecko

    January 21, 2021 at 11:29 pm

    I pre-ordered the 512gb/16gb in Phantom Black. This will be my first Samsung Galaxy phone!

  18. Dave P

    January 21, 2021 at 11:48 pm

    4:15 what a cutie!!

  19. Dave P

    January 21, 2021 at 11:50 pm

    5:55 stunning night mode!

  20. baus grows

    January 21, 2021 at 11:55 pm

    Wu-Tang Forever

  21. tarun kumar

    January 21, 2021 at 11:55 pm

    Samsung >>> Apple

  22. Warren Tom

    January 22, 2021 at 12:21 am

    I ordered S21 Ultra with 256 gig. I’m thinking I should have ordered 512 gig…

  23. wilroc23

    January 22, 2021 at 12:51 am

    Yes I pre ordered and I can’t wait to get it and all the freebies they gave me with it.

  24. D Ch

    January 22, 2021 at 1:00 am

    Why da heck would they remove the micro sd card?

  25. Vhsss Tv

    January 22, 2021 at 1:04 am

    Nope I’m waiting for the next flagship note 21 all the way. This is a great foundation though!

  26. Maty in Thailand

    January 22, 2021 at 3:28 am

    As Vlogger recording both side it might so useful for me , i wish S20 had it too

    • o Nweze

      January 22, 2021 at 8:34 pm

      The update will come

  27. Michael Walker

    January 22, 2021 at 3:48 am

    I have preordered the S21 Ultra. I’m doing an upgrade from my Galaxy 10+ to this phone and what excites me most is 5G and performance in streaming. The camera was already good enough on my 10+ but I’ll welcome the upgraded camera specs on this one with open arms.

  28. Cornel Waugh

    January 22, 2021 at 4:30 am

    There’s a lot of echo…Maybe u should use a lapel mic?

  29. D J

    January 22, 2021 at 4:32 am

    Oh that sand…THE SAND! Please remove the sand!

  30. First Prototype

    January 22, 2021 at 5:22 am

    Ugly plastic phone!
    Where do you know is covered in victus? 😅
    Third party company invented the test for us to see if the phone really has gorilla glass on them? 😅

  31. TheAnonymous One

    January 22, 2021 at 5:28 am

    How did they “nail it” with a smaller screen size and not including expandable storage. Sounds like a downgrade not an upgrade

  32. Freddie the Fly

    January 22, 2021 at 5:47 am

    Yes, I have pre-ordered the S21 Ultra. Come with the Galaxy Buds Pro and a Galaxy SmartTag. Looking forward to using the cameras.

  33. Brad Whiteside

    January 22, 2021 at 6:22 am

    Pre-ordered with all the accessory goodies. Very excited about the camera. A little bummed that MST was pulled. SD card I can live without. Overall, I just feel like this phone was made for me.

  34. 000 000

    January 22, 2021 at 6:41 am

    No mention of the screen!

  35. "Rock On"

    January 22, 2021 at 6:52 am

    I love that brown.

  36. Striker 50

    January 22, 2021 at 6:53 am

    They need a Smaller version of this I’m tired of huge phablets

    • Anon Anon

      January 22, 2021 at 5:00 pm

      I agree. I like how Apple does theirs. You have a base model kinda like the s20, where it has all the stuff most people will want, then they have two pro versions, pretty much exactly a like but one is a big phablet and one is much more manageable size.

  37. hipnautikboy1

    January 22, 2021 at 8:00 am

    i preorder the ultra

  38. Alexander George

    January 22, 2021 at 8:23 am

    I still have my S10e. It came with a charger in box, it has a headphone jack (I listen to high quality IEMs) and it has a micro SD slot. Plus a great form factor at just 5.8″.. I’ll keep it, thanks. 👀

  39. Anik Rajah

    January 22, 2021 at 8:58 am

    HAHA “S PEN CURIOUS” SOUNDS LIKE A SEXUAL ORIENTATION HAHAHA

  40. blooskys1

    January 22, 2021 at 9:04 am

    The conclusion is…. If you want a camera buy a camera not a mobile

  41. bigjohnhaze

    January 22, 2021 at 11:48 am

    Like those Greenville SC pictures

  42. Nekminute

    January 22, 2021 at 12:12 pm

    i’d buy it if it came without the expensive camera

  43. Michael Philip

    January 22, 2021 at 12:54 pm

    The exynos photos look better

  44. Massimo Crimi

    January 22, 2021 at 12:55 pm

    I remember using the S4 or the S5 were can recording from both cameras front and rear same time … I glad Samsung bring back this mode ..

  45. Richard Nunley

    January 22, 2021 at 1:04 pm

    Directors view is an old idea…was on a phone 5 or 6 years ago

  46. Rukmal Bandara

    January 22, 2021 at 1:20 pm

    Samsung S21 Ultra review video was done from iPhone 12 Pro Max! Epic

  47. Mudassir Abbas

    January 22, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    As I am note user since 2014 should I but note 20 u or s21 ultra please suggest me I am confused

  48. UMG Production

    January 22, 2021 at 4:07 pm

    Greenville SC

  49. Anon Anon

    January 22, 2021 at 4:56 pm

    Does anyone know how the shutter lag is on this? It was terrible on the S20U, much better since 3.0, but not as fast as a pixel or iPhone

  50. SHUXRAT XO'JA

    January 22, 2021 at 6:25 pm

    I think Galaxy A82 will be better than regular s21 and 21+ and cheaper.

  51. Imran Chishti

    January 23, 2021 at 2:52 am

    Nice review. Significant improvement over Note 20 Ultra. Just traded my Note 20 Ultra to Samsung for the S Ultra 21. Great deal came to around $200. You can split hairs all day but till you own the Iphone 12 pro Max (feels like a brick) and put it besides a Note 20 and compare them both to S 21 Ultra in person you really can’t tell. Watching reviews is fun and this is a good one.

  52. Floridajames04

    January 23, 2021 at 3:46 am

    I’m buying this phone next week!
    Samsung nailed it.

  53. dagrim86

    January 23, 2021 at 7:41 am

    I believe that it does support bluetooth functionality but not until they release the Spen to support it, sucks that you can’t use the note 10+ or the note 20 ultra pen for it.

  54. IQ's RedGlasses

    January 23, 2021 at 8:06 am

    the Focus Enhance uses the 12mpx Ultrawide, which now has Autofocus

  55. Guido Haverkort

    January 23, 2021 at 10:12 am

    2:36 my s9 already automatically changes to blue light filter when te sun goes down

  56. SSaini

    January 23, 2021 at 1:57 pm

    Nah they didn’t nail it, images is still soft on the edge due to the large sensor. Images and still over saturated, low light is not the best and the iPhone still have the better video. Ultra excels in zoom lol, which nobody cares about let’s be honest. Great phone but there are better options out there

    • Colin Wilby

      January 24, 2021 at 12:00 pm

      They nailed it, sorry to disappoint you. Stand back and compare it to any other phone, especially it’s nemesis the 12 Max pro and they are not even close, beaten in almost every way. It’s not perfect, but the most complete, rounded versatile phone you can buy, and yes the Zoom does matter.

    • SSaini

      January 24, 2021 at 2:59 pm

      @Colin Wilby Not according to all the top reviewers on this platform. Pixel 5 is competing quite well with the smaller sensor in fact beating the iPhone 12 and S21. Show me a review where the Pixel 5 is outclassed? It goes back and forth, with the Pixel 5 having better portraits, low light and dynamic range. Pixel falls short on the video processing but it always has.

  57. No Theory

    January 23, 2021 at 2:41 pm

    No MicroSD slot.

  58. Angel Cornejo

    January 23, 2021 at 5:24 pm

    Yeah I pre-ordered it and I’m so excited, it’ll be my first Android phone after 7 years using iPhones, I just got really bored of them. IMO they haven’t changed that much since the X from 2017 so I consider the S21 Ultra a nice upgrade from my iphone XS and switching to Android may be like a fresh start. I couldn’t believe all the things the preorder included, I can’t wait until Feb 29!

    • yung mouss

      January 24, 2021 at 2:05 pm

      If you can live without imessage, facetime and few other app like that, you will enjoy Android,it’s a lot better in so many ways especially when it comes to features and innovation

  59. William Barnes

    January 23, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    Your video was friggin awesome forgetaboutit, yes I got a great deal with samsung in the preorder, so iam going from a S10 which I love great phone. But Iam so glad I waited because I almost bought the S20 ultra, so besides my self on waiting for my delicious S21 ultra. TKS brother from NJ.

  60. Jason Hughes

    January 23, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    I’ve had an iPhone 7+ and have never owner a android phone. I was blackberry before iPhone. I preordered the S21 ultra 256 and can’t wait to get my hands on it.

  61. Deadly Alliance

    January 23, 2021 at 8:02 pm

    Besides zoom and 108mp mode detail, this phone loses to the iPhone 12 Pro Max in terms of everything. And I mean everything. Low light photography, low light video, regular day time video, stabilization, image quality in general during the day(better details and sharpness across the board) and the ultra wide is even better on the iPhone. Which sucks cause I have an ultra 21 pre ordered. And without night mode the 21 ultra seems to do mediocre in low light. That’s not acceptable for 1300 bucks. That damn iPhone is killing it….

    • Colin Wilby

      January 24, 2021 at 12:15 pm

      Are you joking? On design the S21 is a clear winner, with much more packed into a similar size and the same weight. It is more modern and better in the hand. The screen is clearly at least two generations ahead and has no notch. It outlasts the iPhone in normal use and smokes it when used hard, has faster wired and wireless charging, plus reverse charging, another knock out. It’s speakers are better, has an excellent FPS and face unlock, memory upgrades are less and its operating system is optimised for the large screen. Oh, let’s not forget you can use it with a pen, has 5G built into the SOC. As for the camera from what I have seen the photos overall are great on both phones,, but the S21 is far more versatile. For me too the video has not only equalled the iPhone but in some areas exceeded it. As for the price it is only $100 dollars more, costs less If you go full storage (which is better quality than the iPhone) and comes with quality accessories and cash ack which are worth $300. Considering the overall package the iPhone is many hundreds of dollars overpriced in comparison. Sorry, I forgot speed, despite the selected benchmarks results in real life the S21 is faster overall to use and without a doubt smoother.

    • Deadly Alliance

      January 24, 2021 at 3:48 pm

      @Colin Wilby I’m talking strictly camera quality, (not quantity or versatility) . Not screen, not build quality. . Not 5g(5g will actually be turned off for me since I’ll be on first net) that’s why I returned my s10 plus 2 years ago when I bought it brand new for $1000. It had to the same 4000mah battery as my hauwei(which my hauwei got better battery life that I’m still using today) didn’t run faster, and to me, the camera(main sensor) was the same in terms of quality, if not worse. Video was better but it wasn’t justified but it’s price tag and honestly the screen didn’t wow me then even though it was big hype back then. I actually prefer a 16 by 9 ratio screen. If you watch supersaf or inbox therapy comparisons you’ll see the same trends across both phones. That’s just two of the many I’ve watched(literally seen ALL comparisons so far and they usually all say the same thing when it comes to the cameras. Dynamic range is the same across both, main sensor picture quality for detail goes to the iPhone for day and night, image and video stabilization go to the iPhone when sensor shift is on, s21 ultra uses the older optical stabilization that is inferior to sensor shift. Video autofocus goes to the iPhone, the ultra can struggle when there is multiple things on the frame due to the laser and slower phase detection autofocus. (I phones lidar and dual pixel are better for busier scenes) however the 21 ultra is faster for daytime autofocus(images not video) but when the light goes to sub par the 21 ultra slows down substantially and the iPhone maintains its very fast autofocus again thanks to lidar and dual pixel. The ultra wide on the 21 ultra can have bad color processing lifting blacks and giving them a bad Grey /green hue, and the edges are processed poorly, they are soft and muddy looking lacking any detail. (maybr a software fix can fix it?) I’ve been doing my hw and in terms of pure quality here where the iPhone wins: ultra wide(unless in low light) , main sensor image quality, video quality and stabilization across the board, night mode (even though Samsung has drastically improved their night mode its still inferior to iPhone when it comes to dynamic range and detail). Samsung wins in versatility if you include zoom lenses but iPhone clearly didn’t focus on zoom this year) , 108 mp mode in great lighting(a ton more detail vs iPhone 12 mp mode ) and then Samsungs selfie cam is all around better than I phones according to the reviews(skin tones, stabilization, dynamic range etc etc). P. S. I’m getting the ultra and have been a hauwei/lg/Samsung fan for years (since galaxy s3) and have always hated iPhone but after doing homework, I gotta give props to where props is due and give the camera quality – zoom aside to iPhone). Oh and portrait mode also goes to iPhone. I guess Samsung crops in on its main sensor and it makes the subject soft looking(hair detail, skin detail etc compared to iPhone)

    • Colin Wilby

      January 25, 2021 at 7:29 am

      @Deadly Alliance You cannot just take out major factors that affect how good a feature is on any product let alone smartphone cameras. If you are talking about picture quality the Zoom and Macro are clearly better on the Samsung. Looking at other areas the Samsung more than matches the iPhone there are swings and roundabouts not a clear win for the iPhone. In fact, I would put the iPhone behind on the pictures and video I have seen. Overall the camera package on the Samsung is better, both are great but the Samsung is ahead taking into account all aspects of the camera.

    • BaddieUniverse

      January 26, 2021 at 8:45 pm

      The night mode is better in the S21.

  62. Jeremy DeBose

    January 23, 2021 at 8:23 pm

    I’ve been iPhone since the 7+ but this phone 😍😍😍

  63. Deadly Alliance

    January 23, 2021 at 9:17 pm

    How’s low light photography without night mode???

  64. DJI Drone Travel

    January 23, 2021 at 11:51 pm

    This is a amazing phone lucky you guys getting the snapdragon 😟

  65. KOKO PUFFS

    January 24, 2021 at 1:09 am

    Wow this review was trash!

  66. Alex Craig

    January 24, 2021 at 5:26 am

    Heck yeah, pre-ordered on reveal day! I’ve been waiting to upgrade my s9 for awhile. Heard some rumors the last couple of months about the s21 ultra, and I’m glad I waited. I imagine I’ll be keeping this phone for a long time. Outside of technology breakthroughs with foldables, Samsung is going to have a hard time topping this one.

  67. kanty ventura

    January 24, 2021 at 7:34 am

    I got the s7 edge for such a long time and i finally decided to upgrade to s21 ultra 512gig.

  68. I-Soldat-I

    January 24, 2021 at 4:13 pm

    I’m going to post order it say 6 months after release when its on sale. Rockin with my S20+

  69. Batu Çağan

    January 24, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    Should i move to the S21 Ultra from my current phone Galaxy S8+?

    • BaddieUniverse

      January 26, 2021 at 8:44 pm

      Yes. Amazing upgrade.

  70. Shiva sharan TN

    January 24, 2021 at 5:41 pm

    Yes I pre-ordered one. I am going to get it tomorrow

  71. funNactive

    January 24, 2021 at 7:23 pm

    An Android without expandable memory – No Thanks, Next.

  72. Phillip Pugh

    January 24, 2021 at 10:38 pm

    Pre-order the white s21 actually traded in my s20 ultra … I’ll be fine I’m sure

  73. Phillip Pugh

    January 24, 2021 at 10:42 pm

    News flash galaxy phones had 5g way before Apple

  74. Rufus Wilson

    January 25, 2021 at 5:47 am

    They made this new s21 ultra:P so better the the s20 ultra we all should know it!plus I pre oder it

  75. TheJunyahboy

    January 25, 2021 at 7:06 am

    Is there a aux cord plug so I connect it to my stereo? How bout sd card ?

  76. Someone Else

    January 25, 2021 at 8:47 am

    Is the S21 Ultra finally able to record 4K 60 fps video in HDR?
    Cause with the S20 series you had to choose between 60 fps and HDR when recording 4K resolution video.

    • BaddieUniverse

      January 26, 2021 at 8:43 pm

      Yes, now you can shoot 4k60 from ALL cameras too

  77. Weekend Warrior

    January 25, 2021 at 1:58 pm

    I pre-ordered day 1. For under $600 I received buds pro, case with stylus, smart tag, and the s21 ultra… Can’t turn that deal down

  78. Damien Chapman

    January 25, 2021 at 2:32 pm

    Yes pre ordered mine s21 ultra

  79. Frankie_is_broke

    January 25, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    The focus enhancer appears to be using a wider field of view because it is. It switches to a cropped ultrawide shot when the main camera’s narrow focus is unsuitable.

  80. J Nob

    January 25, 2021 at 11:14 pm

    My S21 ultra arrives on Wednesday!

  81. Brian Dominguez

    January 26, 2021 at 1:10 am

    Wish this was a note and the size of the smaller galaxy note 10.

  82. steellz

    January 26, 2021 at 3:18 am

    CALLING IT RIGHT NOW! the next IPHONE PRO will support ApplePen !

  83. Pablo G.

    January 26, 2021 at 3:51 am

    At $500 with a trade in, plus all the extras, I can’t wait for my phantom black one to arrive

  84. bernadette palmeira

    January 26, 2021 at 7:25 am

    No micro SD card slot or headphone jack. I would not get this phone even if I had the chance too.

  85. M H

    January 26, 2021 at 9:33 pm

    Pre-ordered the Titanium version with the buds pro, galaxy tag & clear view cover/pen. Now its just a matter of waiting 🙁

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