Galaxy S21+ 5G Vs Galaxy S24 Ultra

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its software support and physical durability.

• Software Support: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, launched with Android 11, was part of Samsung's policy at the time offering four years of OS updates and five years of security updates. This means its official software support concluded around early 2026, with updates likely up to Android 15. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, released with Android 14, benefits from Samsung's extended commitment of seven years of OS updates and seven years of security updates, projecting support through Android 21.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The S21 Plus 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus on its front and back with an aluminum frame. The S24 Ultra elevates this with Gorilla Glass Armor on both sides and a titanium frame, offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S24 Ultra has received a high repairability score of 9/10 from PBKreviews, noting that most components are easy to remove, and the battery includes pull tabs for simpler replacement, though the display remains challenging to remove without damage.

Performance in daily use, from app responsiveness to battery endurance, varies between these two generations of devices.

• System Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. Users generally find it snappy for everyday tasks, but some report potential heating and occasional lag during intensive gaming or heavy multitasking. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, equipped with 12GB of RAM and storage options up to 1TB, is designed to handle demanding applications and extensive multitasking smoothly, with users praising its robust performance.
• Battery Behavior: The S21 Plus 5G houses a 4800mAh battery. Many users have reported good battery life, often lasting a full day, though some heavy users have found it to be less than ideal, requiring more frequent charging. The S24 Ultra features a 5000mAh battery. User experiences frequently highlight exceptional battery endurance, with many reporting over a day of use even under heavy loads, sometimes achieving 7 hours of screen-on time with significant charge remaining. However, a minority of users have noted issues with excessive battery drain, particularly related to background GPS usage, leading to shorter screen-on times.

The visual experience is a key differentiator, with both devices offering vibrant displays but with notable advancements in the newer model.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in approximately 394 pixels per inch (PPI). The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a slightly larger 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a higher resolution of 3088 x 1440 pixels (WQHD+), yielding around 500 PPI for sharper visuals. Both displays support HDR10+ for enhanced contrast and color.
• Brightness and Smoothness: The S21 Plus 5G offers a peak brightness of up to 1300 nits and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling. The S24 Ultra significantly increases peak brightness, reaching up to 2600 nits (with some reports citing 2500 or 2572 nits), ensuring excellent readability even in bright outdoor conditions. Its adaptive refresh rate dynamically adjusts from 1Hz to 120Hz, optimizing both smoothness and power efficiency. The S24 Ultra also includes an anti-glare coating for improved viewing.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but the S24 Ultra introduces significant upgrades in versatility and image processing.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a triple camera setup: a 12MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x hybrid optic zoom and up to 30x digital Space Zoom. It is praised for vibrant colors, detailed images, and good dynamic range. The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a more advanced quad-camera system: a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, a 50MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. This configuration is noted for its versatile zoom capabilities, improved low-light performance, and enhanced dynamic range.
• Video and Selfie Capabilities: Both devices can record 8K video, with the S21 Plus 5G at 24fps and the S24 Ultra at 30fps on its main and 5x telephoto lenses. The S24 Ultra also offers 4K video recording at up to 120fps in Pro Video mode. For selfies, the S21 Plus 5G has a 10MP front camera, while the S24 Ultra features a 12MP front camera. Both are capable of 4K 60fps video recording from the front camera.
• Audio Output: User feedback for the S21 Plus 5G indicates good speaker quality, though some note a lack of bass compared to other flagship phones.

Beyond core performance, several practical features contribute to the overall user experience and daily convenience.

• Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G and S24 Ultra support 5G connectivity. The S24 Ultra includes newer Wi-Fi 6E/7 and Bluetooth 5.3 standards, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections compared to the S21 Plus 5G. Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
• Physical Design and Handling: The S21 Plus 5G measures 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm and weighs 200g. The S24 Ultra is slightly larger and heavier at 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm and 232g or 233g, partly due to its titanium frame. The S24 Ultra also integrates an S Pen stylus, enhancing its functionality for note-taking and creative tasks.
• Security and Build Materials: Both phones feature in-display fingerprint sensors for secure unlocking. The S21 Plus 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus for screen protection, while the S24 Ultra incorporates the more advanced Gorilla Glass Armor, offering increased durability against scratches and drops.