Samsung made a bold move at CES 2021 — breaking its traditional February launch window to debut the Galaxy S21 series in January. The early reveal set the tone: this was a lineup built to lead, not follow. Here's how the three models stack up and which one is right for you.

Meet the Galaxy S21 Series

The S21 series succeeds the Galaxy S20 lineup with refined design, upgraded internals, and a more aggressive price point. The Galaxy S21 Ultra arrives $200 cheaper than its S20 Ultra predecessor — without sacrificing any of the flagship experience.

Display Sizes

Each model is designed for a different kind of user:

• Galaxy S21: 6.2" — compact and pocketable
• Galaxy S21 Plus: 6.7" — the sweet spot for media and productivity
• Galaxy S21 Ultra: 6.8" — maximum screen real estate for power users

Battery Life

Battery capacity scales with the model, and all three comfortably last a full day of normal use:

• Galaxy S21: 4,000 mAh
• Galaxy S21 Plus: 4,800 mAh
• Galaxy S21 Ultra: 5,000 mAh

Camera Capabilities

The S21 and S21 Plus share a capable dual-camera system — 12MP rear wide + 12MP ultrawide, 10MP front — with 8K 24fps video, 4K 60fps, Pro Video mode, and Single Take AI. The S21 Ultra is in a class of its own: a 108MP wide-angle primary, 100x Space Zoom with dual telephoto lenses, and a 40MP front camera. If photography is your priority, the Ultra is the clear choice.

Build, Storage & S Pen

The S21 Plus and Ultra feature a premium Gorilla Glass back, while the base S21 uses a polycarbonate finish. Storage options for the S21 and S21 Plus top out at 256GB; the Ultra goes up to 512GB with 12GB RAM. None of the three include expandable storage. Only the S21 Ultra supports Samsung's S Pen — a first for the Galaxy S series.

Core Specs Across the Series

All three models run Android 11 with One UI 3.1, powered by either the Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888 depending on region. Every model includes 25W wired fast charging, 15W fast wireless charging, USB Power Delivery 3.0, and IP68 water resistance.

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