Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 256GB

Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review: Samsung's premier phone is pretty badass

With an elegant design, lower price and S-Pen support, the second time's the charm for Samsung. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G earns a CNET Editors' Choice Award. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, unveiled alongside Samsung's Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus phones, proves that sometimes you have to do something twice to get it right. While just as bold as last year's Galaxy S20 Ultra, the S21 Ultra is a refined second take on the concept. There's still the 100x Space Zoom, but it's easier to use. There is still the "big for the sake of being big" design, but it looks more appealing. And there's still a high price, but at $1,200 (£1,149, AU$1,849) it costs $200 less than the S20 Ultra in the US.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (256GB, Black) AU - Pristine review

As mentioned at the beginning, there’s a lot to like about the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Its sticker price is still the main reason why most people stay away, but if you’re a smartphone enthusiast looking for the best Samsung has to offer, this phone will definitely make you smile.

Samsung Galaxy S21 ULTRA (512GB) 5G Phantom Black SM-G998BZKHXNZ review

Samsung’s “Ultra” phones are meant to be the absolute pinnacle of the company’s (non-folding) mobile technology. And so the Galaxy S21 Ultra — the third Ultra phone after the S20 and Note 20 Ultras — spares very few expenses.

Samsung Galaxy S21 ULTRA (512GB) 5G Phantom Black SM-G998BZKHXNZ review

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a well-made evolution of its predecessor with a great design refresh. The new OLED display is capable of supporting a high resolution and a high adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate at the same time, and it is also the brightest display that we have ever seen in a smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (256GB, Black) AU - Pristine review

Despite the obvious missed opportunity that is excluding the S-Pen, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a nice and big phone that feels like it’s made to reward long-time Samsung owners.

Samsung Galaxy S21 ULTRA (512GB) 5G Phantom Black SM-G998BZKHXNZ review

The Galaxy S21 Ultra delivers a high-quality superzoom camera that truly works, supports Samsung's excellent S Pen, and sets the bar for smartphone features in 2021.

Samsung Galaxy S21 ULTRA (512GB) 5G Phantom Black SM-G998BZKHXNZ review

An Android that earns its “ultra” title with an incredible camera array allowing you to capture moments other phones will simply miss

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review: 2021’s true S Series phone, and the best yet

However sweet the new design is, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and S21+ 5G don’t have the spec sheet highlights we’ve come to expect from Samsung’s top S Series phones. To get that true S Series experience, you have to buy the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which goes all-out on power, screen, camera, and battery tech to satisfy hardcore fans. But at $1,200, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is a considerable investment, certainly when compared to the $800 Galaxy S21 that we’ve already reviewed. Plus, it faces serious competition from both outside — the iPhone 12 Pro Max, for example — and inside (the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 2). I’m a week into living with the S21 Ultra, so consider this a very detailed early look rather than our definitive review at this stage. Both I and Mobile Editor Andrew Martonik will be adding our continued thoughts about the phone to this article over the coming weeks, building out our final review. But even after seven days, the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s extraordinary abilities...

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review review