Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) vs Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Sony Xperia XZs 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
5.2"
TFT
TFT
1080x1920
19.2
MP
MP
13mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Quad-core
2900
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!
27 Advantages 
4 Advantages | 19 Common items in both devices |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Capacitive |
| Multitouch |
| Accelerometer |
| +12 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) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| Model | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) |
| Other model names | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998U1) Unlocked | Sony Xperia XZs G8231 32GB Single-Sim, Sony Keyaki SS |
| Country or region available |  USA | USA |
| Brand | Samsung | Sony |
| Release date | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 | 4/1/2017 |
| Depth | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) | 8.1 millimeters (0.32 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in) | 72 x 146 millimeters (2.83 x 5.75 in) |
| Weight | 227 grams (7.95 ounces) | 161 grams (5.64 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back | feature not registered |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | Waterproof (IP?) |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | TFT LCD |
| Screen size | 6.8" inches | 5.2" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~70.9% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) | 1080x1920 pixels |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 516 PPI | 424 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | feature not registered |
| Display features | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display | feature not registered |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| System version | Android 11 | Android 7.1 Nougat |
| Firmware update | Android 14 | feature not registered |
| User Interface | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996 (14nm) |
| 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) | Quad-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.15GHz Kryo (Dual-core) 2x 1.6GHz Kryo (Dual-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) | Qualcomm Adreno 530 |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 681099 (v8), 809165 (v9) Geekbench: 3539 (v5.2) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| RAM memory | 12GB LPDDR5 | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Internal storage | 128GB (101GB available) UFS 3.1 | 32GB (20GB available) |
| External storage | Not supported | Until 256GB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Not supported |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1920 Mbps | 450/50 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 2G, 3G, 4G |
| 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 800/850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| 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 Cat9 700/800/850/900/1500/1700/1800/1900/2100/2600 (Bands 1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,13,17,19,20,26,28,29,32) TD-LTE 1900/2300/2500/2600 (Bands 38,39,40,41) |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) | Not supported |
| 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 |
| Secondary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | Not supported |
| 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 | Not supported |
| 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 | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| 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 | 19.2 megapixels |
| Main camera resolution | 12000x9000 pixels | 5056x3792 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/2.0 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 25mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/1.33" inches | 1/2.3" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | feature not registered |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | LDAF/PDAF: laser/phase detection autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | EIS: Digital stabilization |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Only digital zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Not supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps | feature not registered |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 40 megapixels | 13 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 7296x5472 pixels | 4128x3096 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | Full HD (1920x1080) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.0 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 22mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/2.8" inches | 1/3" inches |
| Pixel size | 0.7µm pixel | 1.12µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Supported |
| 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 |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, eAAC+, OGG, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | 3.5mm jack |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | Not supported |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 + A2DP/LE | 4.2 + A2DP |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| 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 Gyroscope Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 5000 mAh | 2900 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | Wired charging |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | feature not registered |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | 17.8 hours |
| Standby | feature not registered | 610 hours (25.4 days) |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder |
| 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: Black, Warm Silver, Ice Blue • USB OTG On-The-Go • Metal body • Triluminos display • X-Reality Engine • Sony Exmor RS camera • 720p@960fps slow motion • Fast battery charging • Quick Charge 3.0 • 24-bit/192kHz audio • IP68 certified: dust proof and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30min |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 128GB) | Sony Xperia XZs (G8231 USA) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.77W/kg (head), 1.02W/kg (body) | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |