Apple iPhone 16e (128GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB)
Side by side comparison between Apple iPhone 16e vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.1"
OLED
OLED
1170x2532
48
MP
MP
12mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Hexa-core
4005
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.8"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3200
108
MP
MP
40mp
16GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
9 Advantages 
19 Advantages | 33 Common items in both devices |
| Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Super Retina XDR OLED / Dynamic AMOLED |
| PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| BSI sensor |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| (front) 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| +26 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Model | iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) |
| Other model names | iPhone 16e (A3212, A3408, A3409, A3410) | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998U1) Unlocked |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) |  USA |
| Brand | Apple | Samsung |
| Release date | 2/28/2025, Announced: 2/19/2025 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 7.8 millimeters (0.31 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 71.5 x 146.7 millimeters (2.81 x 5.78 in) | 75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in) |
| Weight | 167 grams (5.85 ounces) | 227 grams (7.95 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back | Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Display type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.1" inches | 6.8" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~87.1% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1170x2532 pixels (19.5:9) | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 457 PPI | 516 PPI |
| Colors | 1 billion | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Ceramic Shield | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 1200nits[peak] HDR10 Oleophobic coating screen True-tone Wide color gamut | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| System version | iOS 18 | Android 11 |
| Firmware update | feature not registered | Android 15 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 / 7.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Apple A18 (3nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core, 2 processors: 2x 3.78GHz P-Core (Dual-core) 4x 2.1GHz E-Core (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.84GHz Kryo 680 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 680 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 680 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | A18 GPU (4-core) | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 1401105 (v10) Geekbench: 8224 (v6) | AnTuTu: 681099 (v8), 809165 (v9) Geekbench: 3539 (v5.2) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5X | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (104GB available) NVMe (SSD) | 512GB (457GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1024 Mbps | 5000/1920 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 53, 66, 71) TD-LTE (34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79) | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
📷 Camera | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | 48 megapixels | (quad camera) 108 megapixels 10MP periscope telephoto f/4.9240mm1/3.24"1.22µmPDAFOIS10x-optical-zoom 10MP telephoto f/2.470mm1/3.24"1.22µmPDAFOIS3x-optical-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm1/2.55"1.4µmPDAFSuper-Steady-video |
| Main camera resolution | 8000x6000 pixels | 12000x9000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 60 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.6 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/1.56" inches | 1/1.33" inches |
| Pixel size | 1µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Digital and optical zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@24/25/30/60fps 1080p@25/30/60/120fps Dolby Vision HDR (60fps) | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | (dual front camera) 12 megapixels 0.3MP SL 3D | 40 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 4000x3000 pixels | 7296x5472 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/1.9 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 23mm (lens) | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | 1/3.6" inches | 1/2.8" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 0.7µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio 3D | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 3 microphones | 3 microphones |
| Radio | Not supported | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 + A2DP/LE | 5.2 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS, NavIC | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4005 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 30W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 2.0 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 7.5W Qi wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Black, White • Apple Intelligence • Apple Pay • Face ID | • Colors: Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy, Brown • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX • Stylus pen support |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| iPhone 16e (128GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 1.19W/kg (head), 1.2W/kg (body) | 0.77W/kg (head), 1.02W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 1.48W/kg (head), 1.49W/kg (body) | feature not registered |