Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 256GB

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

This is the Snapdragon 888 edition of Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Like it counterpart , it comes in a 6.8-inches Quad-HD+ display with 1440 x 3200 pixels. Some of the display technology includes HDR10+, 120Hz refresh, Gorilla Glass Vectus protection as well as a dot notch housing the frontal...

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

Samsung has addressed many of the pain points that last year’s S series Ultra model had and made key improvements to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G to refine the overall experience. There are also a ton of value-added features that make it a more well-rounded device.

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

In many ways, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is a by-the-book upgrade — it’s faster, its cameras are more polished, and its software is a little cleaner. Calling it a thrill would be a stretch.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review review

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

It was always going to be tough for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to follow the fantastic phone that is the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, at least as far as the experience is concerned. Yet, Samsung clearly has taken pains to find those specific points on the spec sheet, which needed an upgrade.

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