Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Shop Android Smartphones
Fairphone 4
Starting at
£402.27
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Starting at
£268.86£1,316.00 newWhat's the difference between the Fairphone 4 and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?
Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G starts at £268.86, £133.41 less than the Fairphone 4.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Snapdragon 750G SM7225 on the Fairphone 4, Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
- The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
- The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3905 mAh.
Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G specs
The Fairphone 4 and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G both launched in 2021 and run Android with 5G connectivity. The Fairphone 4 focuses on modular design and practical features like a microSDXC slot for storage expansion and offers 6 GB of RAM suitable for everyday use. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G delivers higher specs with a larger Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, more RAM at 12 GB, a higher resolution display, and more powerful cameras. It suits users who want a premium multimedia and multitasking experience.
Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G price
Colour
Storage
- 128GBSold out
- 256GBSold out
Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design aspects that affect everyday reliability and use.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a larger 5000 mAh battery compared to the Fairphone 4's 3905 mAh. This means the Galaxy is suited for users who need longer battery life for heavy use, while the Fairphone 4 offers a solid capacity for regular daily use.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G performance
Performance mainly depends on processing power, memory, and storage options. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G provides more RAM and advanced chipsets, while the Fairphone 4 covers everyday tasks comfortably.
RAM
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G comes with 12 GB of RAM, which supports running many apps simultaneously and more demanding multitasking. The Fairphone 4 has 6 GB of RAM, suitable for everyday use and standard apps.
Chipset
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G uses either the Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, both built on a 5 nm process, designed for high performance. The Fairphone 4 uses the Snapdragon 750G SM7225, a chipset appropriate for general tasks and moderate use.
Storage Options
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is available with up to 512 GB of internal storage, offering more space for apps, media, and files. The Fairphone 4 comes in 128 GB and 256 GB options, enough for typical daily storage needs.
Chipset
RAM
Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G screen
Screen quality affects how you view media, browse, and interact with the device. Both devices have large screens but differ in size, resolution, and technology.
Screen Size
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a 6.8 inch screen, which provides a more spacious display for watching videos and multitasking. The Fairphone 4 has a 6.3 inch screen, offering a more compact viewing experience that suits one-handed use.
Resolution and Type
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a resolution of 1440 x 3200, delivering sharper and more vivid visuals. The Fairphone 4 has an IPS LCD screen at 1080 x 2340 resolution, which is clear and practical for everyday viewing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G camera
Camera capabilities influence photo and video quality, including front and main cameras. These specs guide how detailed your images will be.
Front Camera
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a 40 megapixel front camera, capturing higher detail in selfies and video calls. The Fairphone 4 offers a 25 megapixel front camera, which is well suited for everyday self-portraits and video chats.
Main Camera
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G's main camera has 108 megapixels, allowing for highly detailed photos and more cropping flexibility. The Fairphone 4's 48 megapixel main camera provides solid image quality for typical photography needs.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G size and design
Other features include physical dimensions, weight, network and SIM details, and storage expandability, all affecting daily handling and connectivity.
Storage Expansion
The Fairphone 4 supports microSDXC cards, which lets you expand storage beyond the internal memory. This suits users who prefer flexible and affordable storage options. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G does not include a microSD slot.
Physical Size and Weight
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G measures 165.1 mm in height, 75.6 mm in width, and 8.9 mm in depth, making it a larger and slimmer device. It weighs 227 g. The Fairphone 4 is slightly smaller in height at 162 mm, nearly the same width at 75.5 mm, but thicker at 10.5 mm, and weighs 225 g. This makes the Fairphone 4 a bit thicker but very close in weight and width.
SIM and Connectivity
Both phones support 5G and use a combination of physical SIM and eSIM, offering flexible carrier options. Both devices are unlocked and have USB-C connectors.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Fairphone 4 or Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: which should you buy?
Buy the Fairphone 4 if
- you want a memory card slot
Buy the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £268.86, £133.41 less than the Fairphone 4
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3905 mAh)
Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G FAQs
Fairphone 4 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Snapdragon 750G SM7225 on the Fairphone 4, Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has more RAM: 12 GB vs 6 GB.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is cheaper refurbished, from £268.86 compared with £402.27 for the Fairphone 4.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3905 mAh.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a higher-resolution main camera: 108 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.
We don't have published update dates for the Fairphone 4. Updates for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G ended in Feb 2026.
Refurbished, the Fairphone 4 comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
