Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.4"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2340
50
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4500
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!
5 Advantages 
13 Advantages | 42 Common items in both devices |
| UFS 3.1 |
| Aluminum frame, glass front/back |
| Dynamic AMOLED |
| HDR10+ |
| 120Hz |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| +35 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 S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy S23 FE 5G SM-S711W (Fan Edition) | Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (SM-G998U1) Unlocked |
| Country or region available |  Canada |  USA |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 10/5/2023, Announced: 10/4/2023 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 8.2 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 76.5 x 158 millimeters (3.01 x 6.22 in) | 75.6 x 165.1 millimeters (2.98 x 6.5 in) |
| Weight | 209 grams (7.32 ounces) | 227 grams (7.95 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back Back: Gorilla Glass 5 | 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 S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.4" inches | 6.8" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~83.2% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~89.4% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2340 pixels (19.5:9) | 1440x3200 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 403 PPI | 516 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | 1450nits[peak] HDR10+ | 1500nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| System version | Android 13 | Android 11 |
| Firmware update | Android 15 | Android 15 |
| User Interface | One UI 5.1 / 6.1 / 7.0 | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 / 7.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2200 (4nm) | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (SM8350) (5nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-X2 (Single-core) 3x 2.5GHz ARM Cortex-A710 (Triple-core) 4x 1.8GHz ARM Cortex-A510 (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 | Xclipse 920 [AMD RDNA 2 based] | Qualcomm Adreno 660 (840MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | AnTuTu: 940919 (v9), 1129278 (v10) Geekbench: 3550 (v5.1), 3946 (v6) GFXBench: 79fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 681099 (v8), 809165 (v9) Geekbench: 3539 (v5.2) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 256GB (219GB available) UFS 3.1 | 512GB (457GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Not supported | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | 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 | 3000/1920 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | 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, 12, 13, 20, 25, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) 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, 78) | SA/NSA/Sub6 (2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71) mmWave (260, 261) |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat20 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 25, 29, 30, 66, 71) TD-LTE (38, 39, 40, 41) 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 |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, 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 |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (triple camera) 50 megapixels 12MP ultrawide f/2.2123° 8MP telephoto f/2.475mmPDAFOIS3x-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 | 8160x6120 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 | 24mm (lens) | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/1.33" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | 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 | 8K@24fps 4K@30fps 1080p@30/60/120/240fps 720p@960fps | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| 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/2.4 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | 26mm (lens) |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/2.8" inches |
| Pixel size | feature not registered | 0.7µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound Dolby Atmos | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 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 | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| 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 | 5.3 + A2DP/LE | 5.2 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6E/6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) + 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, QZSS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Hall effect Virtual 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 S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging Reverse charging by cable USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 25W Wired fast charging 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 | 39 hours (1.6 days) | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | 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: Graphite, Mint, Cream, Purple, Indigo, Tangerine • Samsung DeX | • Colors: Phantom Black, Silver, Titanium, Navy, Brown • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX • Stylus pen support |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy S23 FE (SM-S711W 256GB) | Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998U1 512GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.82W/kg (head), 0.9W/kg (body) | 0.77W/kg (head), 1.02W/kg (body) |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |