Which Samsung Galaxy S21 phone is right for you?

The brand-new Samsung Galaxy S21 series consists of three phones: the S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra. All three offer a flagship experience, but there are several differences between them you need to be aware of. The Ultra is obviously at the top of the pack, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best for your wants and needs.

This article compares Samsung’s high-end devices in terms of specs, features, and pricing to help you decide which one is worth your hard-earned dollars. Let’s dive in!

Samsung has also released its Galaxy S22 series, complete with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor onboard. While the design is similar to that of the Galaxy S21 series, there are a few benefits to keep in mind. If you can’t decide which Galaxy S22 is right for you, check out our in-depth comparison of all three models.

The best of the best: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review: Ultra refined

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs S21 Plus vs S21 Ultra

Specs

Design

The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus look more or less identical. Both sport a flat display with a centered punch-hole that houses the front-facing camera. Both also feature what Samsung calls a “Contour Cut Camera” housing at the back that blends into the device’s metal frame. It’s an interesting design choice that adds a bit of contrast to the overall look, although not everyone will love it.

The three significant design differences between the S21 and S21 Plus are the size, materials, and color options. The S21 Plus has a bigger footprint due to its larger display, which can either be a good or a bad thing, depending on your preference. It also has a glass back, while the S21 is made of glasstic, which is Samsung’s fancy word for plastic that kind of feels like glass. It’s not as premium as real glass, but the upside is that it won’t shatter if you accidentally drop your phone on a hard surface.

Related: The best Samsung phones: High-end, mid-range, and entry-level models

As far as colors are concerned, the S21 is available in Phantom Violet, Phantom Gray, Phantom Pink, and Phantom White, while its bigger brother can be had in Phantom Violet, Phantom Silver, and Phantom Black. Samsung will also offer Phantom Gold and Phantom Red color options via its website.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the largest of the three models and looks similar to its smaller brothers, but it does come with two design elements that give it a distinct look. The first one applies to the Contour Cut Camera housing at the back, roughly twice the size of the one you get on the S21 and S21 Plus. This is because the Ultra has more camera sensors that take up more space. The display is also curved on the sides, just like its predecessor, the Galaxy S20 Ultra. The phone comes in Phantom Silver and Phantom Black, but Samsung will also sell the device in Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, and Phantom Brown in certain markets via its online store.

Features

The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 Plus are powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset (or the Exynos 2100 in selected global markets), have 8GB of RAM, and come with 128 or 256GB of storage. There are three cameras at the back of each phone — a primary 12MP sensor, a 64MP telephoto lens, and a wide-angle 12MP shooter. You also get an IP68 rating, ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, 5G support, and wireless as well as reverse wireless charging. Unfortunately, there’s no headphone jack or a microSD card slot on board. There’s also no power brick in the box.

The differences between the two phones start with the display. The S21 sports a 6.2-inch AMOLED Full HD+ screen, while the Plus model comes with a larger 6.7-inch panel with the same resolution. The battery sizes are also different, with the smaller model packing a 4,000mAh cell, whereas the S21 Plus’ battery has a 4,800mAh capacity. Obviously, the S21 Plus has a larger footprint as well.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra takes things to a new level, as it offers quite a bit more than its smaller brothers. It has the largest display at 6.8-inches and the highest resolution offering WQHD+ quality. It also has the most cameras, sporting four of them at the back alongside a laser autofocus system. The main sensor comes in at 12MP, while the ultra-wide shooter offers a resolution of 108MP. There are also two 10MP telephoto lenses onboard featuring 3x and 10x optical zoom lengths.

The camera system also supports 100x Space Zoom instead of the 30x Space Zoom you get with the other two S21 phones. Then there’s the 40MP selfie shooter, which will capture more details than the S21’s 10MP front-facing camera.

Also: Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro are Samsung’s most durable ANC earbuds yet

You get more RAM with the Ultra as well, with the base model sporting 12GB. There’s also a 16GB variant available, although that’s overkill in 2021. The handset comes with 512GB of storage, although 128GB and 256GB variants are also available.

The last thing worth mentioning is that the S21 Ultra is the only one of the three new Galaxy phones to support the S Pen. The bad news is that it doesn’t come included in the box, and there’s not even a slot in the phone to put it in — like with the Note series.

The rest of the S21 Ultra’s specs and features are the same as those you get with the other two phones. That means the phone is powered by the same chipset, supports wireless charging, and has an IP68 rating, among other things.

Price

• Samsung Galaxy S21: $799/€849/£769
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus: $999/€1,049/£949
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: $1,199/€1,249/£1,149

The entry-level Galaxy S21 will set you back $799. If you want the bigger screen and larger battery offered by the S21 Plus, you’ll have to dish out at least $999. Those who want the crème de la crème will have to get the S21 Ultra, which starts at $1,199.

For reference, last year’s Galaxy S20 series was more expensive at launch. The S20 went for $999, while the Plus model retailed for $1,199. The S20 Ultra was even more costly, with a whopping starting price of $1,399.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs S21 Plus vs S21 Ultra: Which phone is right for you?

Whether to get the Galaxy S21 or S21 Plus is pretty straightforward since the two phones are very similar. If you’re on a budget, don’t mind the glasstic back, and want a phone that’s small enough to use with one hand and easier to slip into your pocket, the S21 is for you. But if you play a lot of games or watch a lot of videos, you may be better off with the larger display and the bigger battery of the S21 Plus — if you’re willing to pay the extra $200 for it.

Then there’s the S21 Ultra, which is quite the upgrade over the other two S21 models. The phone sports a slightly larger display than the S21 Plus, has the highest resolution, packs the biggest battery, has better cameras, comes with more base RAM, is available with 512GB of storage, and supports the S Pen. So if all or just one of these things matter to you and are worth the extra $200 over the S21 Plus or the additional $400 over the standard S21, then the Galaxy S21 Ultra is more than a match for the very best Android phones on the market. However, for most people, it’s probably overkill.

Which of the three phones comes out on top in the Samsung Galaxy S21 vs S21 Plus vs S21 Ultra battle, in your opinion? Let us know in the comments!