Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S23+ Plus phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.8"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x3200
108
MP
MP
40mp
12GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.6"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2340
50
MP
MP
12mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4700
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!
10 Advantages 
8 Advantages | 38 Common items in both devices |
| Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Dynamic AMOLED |
| HDR10+ |
| 120Hz |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| Digital and optical zoom |
| +31 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 S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998U1) Unlocked | Galaxy S23 Plus 5G (SM-S916B/Dual-SIM) |
| Country or region available |  USA |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 | 2/17/2023, Announced: 2/1/2023 |
| Depth | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) | 7.6 millimeters (0.3 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in) | 76.2 x 157.8 millimeters (3 x 6.21 in) |
| Weight | 227 grams (7.95 ounces) | 196 grams (6.86 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back | Aluminum frame, glass front/back Back: Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| 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 S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.8" inches | 6.6" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~88.9% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) | 1080x2340 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 516 PPI | 390 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display | 1750nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| System version | Android 11 | Android 13 |
| Firmware update | Android 14 | Android 14 |
| User Interface | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 | One UI 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (SM8550-AC) (4nm) |
| CPU | 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) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 3.36GHz ARM Cortex-X3 (Single-core) 4x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-A710/A715 (Quad-core) 3x 2GHz ARM Cortex-A510 (Triple-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 740 |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 681099 (v8), 809165 (v9) Geekbench: 3539 (v5.2) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 1234088 (v9) Geekbench: 5073 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Internal storage | 128GB (101GB available) UFS 3.1 | 256GB (218GB available) UFS 4.0 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| 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 | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1920 Mbps | 3000/1920 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | 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, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48) VoLTE | LTE Cat20 () |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) | SA/NSA/Sub6 () |
| 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, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | 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 | LTE Cat20 () |
| Secondary 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, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (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 | (triple camera) 50 megapixels 10MP telephoto f/2.470mm1/3.94"1.0µmPDAFOIS3x-optical-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm120°1/2.55"1.4µmSuper-Steady |
| Main camera resolution | 12000x9000 pixels | 8160x6120 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 30 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 24mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.33" inches | 1/1.56" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | 1µm 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 | 8K@24/30fps 4K@30/60fps 1080p@30/60fps 1080p@240/960fps (slow motion) HDR10+ |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 40 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 7296x5472 pixels | 4000x3000 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 | 1/2.8" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 0.7µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| 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 | Not supported |
| 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 S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| 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 | 5.2 + A2DP/LE | 5.3 + 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 [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + 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 S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor UWB (Ultra Wideband) |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 5000 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 45W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse 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 | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| 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: Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy, Brown • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX • Stylus pen support | • Colors: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime • Samsung DeX • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Galaxy S23+ (SM-S916B/DS 256GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.77W/kg (head), 1.02W/kg (body) | 0.83W/kg (head), 1.02W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.766W/kg (head), 1.453W/kg (body) |