Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy Note 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.3"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x2960
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
6GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
3300
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-G998B/DS 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!
11 Advantages 
25 Advantages | 25 Common items in both devices |
| Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Super AMOLED / Dynamic AMOLED |
| 16 million |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| OIS: Optical stabilization |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| +18 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 | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) |
| Other model names | Samsung Galaxy Note8 Duos SM-N9500/DS, Samsung Baikal | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998B/Dual-SIM) |
| Country or region available |  China |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 9/1/2017, Announced: 8/23/2017 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 8.6 millimeters (0.34 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 74.8 x 162.5 millimeters (2.94 x 6.4 in) | 75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in) |
| Weight | 195 grams (6.83 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 | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.3" inches | 6.8" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~82.9% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9) | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 522 PPI | 516 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | HDR10 Always-On Display | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| System version | Android 7.1.1 Nougat | Android 11 |
| Firmware update | Android 9.0 Pie | Android 14 |
| User Interface | Grace UX UI | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (MSM8998) (10nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (5nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.35GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) 4x 1.9GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.9GHz ARM Cortex-X1 (Single-core) 3x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-A78 (Triple-core) 4x 2.2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 540 (670-710MHz) | ARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 206130 (v8) Geekbench: 6750 (v4.4) GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 657150 (v8), 727634 (v9) Geekbench: 3457 (v5.2) GFXBench: 51fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| RAM memory | 6GB LPDDR4X | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 64GB (53GB available) UFS 2.1 | 512GB (457GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot) | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 1024/150 Mbps | 5000/1920 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 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, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat16 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 66) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (dual camera) 12.2 megapixels 12MP telephoto f/2.452mm1/3.6"1.0µmAF2x-optical-zoom | (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 | 4032x3024 pixels | 12000x9000 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/2.55" inches | 1/1.33" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.4µm 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 | Digital and optical 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 | feature not registered | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | (dual front camera) 8 megapixels 2MP irisscanner | 40 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 7296x5472 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 2K UHD (2560x1440) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 25mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.6" inches | 1/2.8" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 0.7µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Mono sound (not stereo) 32-bit/384kHz | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | FM | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, DivX, XviD | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, OGG, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | 3.5mm jack | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.2 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, 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 | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Heart rate Iris scanner Proximity sensor SpO2 | 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 | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3300 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 15W Wired fast charging Quick Charge 2 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | 22 hours | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 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, Blue, Gold, Orchid Gray • Samsung DeX (desktop experience) • Curved edge screen • Corning Gorilla Glass 5 back panel • Samsung Gear VR compatible • Samsung Pay | • Colors: Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy, Brown • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX • Stylus pen support |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy Note 8 (SM-N9500) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998B/DS 512GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.24W/kg (head), 0.72W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.714W/kg (head), 1.58W/kg (body) |