Samsung Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S20 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.2"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3200
12.2
MP
MP
10mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.8"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3200
108
MP
MP
40mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB)
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!
5 Advantages 
10 Advantages | 43 Common items in both devices |
| 12GB LPDDR5 |
| 128GB (104GB available) / 128GB (101GB available) |
| Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Dynamic AMOLED |
| HDR10+ |
| 120Hz |
| 16 million |
| +36 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 S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy S20 (Snapdragon, 12GB RAM) - US Carriers (AT&T, etc.) | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998U1) Unlocked |
| Country or region available |  USA | USA |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 3/6/2020, Announced: 2/11/2020 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 69.1 x 151.7 millimeters (2.72 x 5.97 in) | 75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in) |
| Weight | 163 grams (5.71 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 S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.2" inches | 6.8" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~88.5% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 566 PPI | 516 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 6 | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | HDR10+ Always-On Display 120Hz@FHD 60Hz@QHD | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 11 |
| Firmware update | Android 13 | Android 14 |
| User Interface | One UI 2.5 / 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.0 | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (SM8250) (7nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.84GHz Kryo 585 (Single-core) 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 585 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz Kryo 585 (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 | Qualcomm Adreno 650 (250-587MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | AnTuTu: 681099 (v8), 809165 (v9) Geekbench: 3539 (v5.2) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5 | 12GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (104GB available) UFS 3.0 | 128GB (101GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (dedicated slot) | 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, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 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 (2, 5, 41, 66, 71) | 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 | 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 | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 64MP telephoto f/2.029mm1/1.72"0.8µmPDAFOIS1.1x-optical-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm1.4µmSuper-Steady-video | (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) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.76" inches | 1/1.33" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | 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 | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 40 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 7296x5472 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.2" inches | 1/2.8" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | 0.7µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | 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, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | 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 | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.2 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | 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 S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect 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 | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 9W Reverse wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | 20 hours | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| 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: Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink, Cloud White, Aura Red • Ultrasonic fingerprint sensor • Bixby • Samsung DeX • Samsung Pay (MST, NFC) | • Colors: Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy, Brown • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX • Stylus pen support |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy S20 5G (SM-G981U) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 1.07W/kg (head), 1.03W/kg (body) | 0.77W/kg (head), 1.02W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |