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Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

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Galaxy A52 5G

Starting at

£136.62£399.00 new
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Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

Starting at

£268.86£1,316.00 new
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(116 reviews)
(674 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy A52 5G and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?

Galaxy A52 5G vs S21 Ultra 5G comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy A52 5G starts at £136.62, £132.24 less than the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.

Refurbished from

£136.62£268.86

Chipset

Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)

RAM

6 GB12 GB

Battery

4500 mAh5000 mAh

Screen size

6.5 inch6.8 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDDynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Chipset: Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) on the Galaxy A52 5G, 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 4500 mAh.

Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G specs

The Galaxy A52 5G and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G both run Android and support 5G, but they suit different users. The Galaxy A52 5G is a solid choice if you want a phone with a microSDXC slot for extra storage and a headphone jack. It has a slightly smaller screen and less RAM, which fits everyday use well. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a larger, sharper screen and more RAM for demanding apps. It has a bigger battery and higher resolution cameras, ideal if you want a phone suited to photography or multitasking. It also supports eSIM and comes in larger storage options.

Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G price

Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G battery life and software updates

Durability covers battery size, software updates and physical features. Both phones run Android and support 5G. There are differences in battery capacity and physical dimensions that matter for daily use.

Battery Capacity

The Galaxy A52 5G has a 4500 mAh battery, suitable for typical daily use. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a larger 5000 mAh battery, which can provide longer usage between charges, especially useful if you use more demanding apps or multitask frequently.

Physical Size

The Galaxy A52 5G is smaller and lighter, measuring 159.9 mm in height and weighing 189 g. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is taller and heavier at 165.1 mm and 227 g. This means the A52 5G is easier to handle if you prefer a lighter phone.

Battery

4500 mAh5000 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

N/AIP68

Software updates

Ended Mar 2025Ended Feb 2026

Wireless charging

N/AYes

Year of release

20212021

Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G performance

Performance depends on processor power, memory and storage choices. Each phone suits different levels of multitasking and app use based on these specs.

Processor Options

The Galaxy A52 5G uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset, which is designed for everyday use and moderate multitasking. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G runs on more advanced processors including Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, both built on a smaller 5 nm process, offering higher efficiency and performance for demanding tasks.

Memory Size

With 6 GB RAM, the Galaxy A52 5G is well suited for standard app use and light multitasking. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G doubles that with 12 GB RAM, providing smoother performance when running many apps at once or using heavy software.

Storage Options

The Galaxy A52 5G comes with 128 GB of internal storage. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers more variety with 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB options, which is useful if you need more space for apps, media, or files without relying on external storage.

Chipset

Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)

RAM

6 GB12 GB

Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G screen

Screen quality affects how you see content. Both phones have 120 Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling, but differ in size, resolution and screen type.

Screen Size and Resolution

The Galaxy A52 5G has a 6.5 inch screen with 1080 x 2400 resolution, providing good clarity for videos and browsing. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a larger 6.8 inch screen with a higher 1440 x 3200 resolution. This means more detailed images and a bigger display area, ideal if you watch a lot of video or use apps that benefit from extra screen space.

Screen Technology

The Galaxy A52 5G uses a Super AMOLED screen which offers vibrant colours and good contrast. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G uses Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen technology, which enhances brightness and colour accuracy for a more vivid viewing experience.

Refresh rate

120 Hz120 Hz

Resolution

1080 x 24001440 x 3200

Screen size

6.5 inch6.8 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDDynamic AMOLED 2X

Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G camera

Camera quality and front camera resolution influence photo and video detail. These devices differ in megapixel counts for main and front cameras.

Main Camera Resolution

The Galaxy A52 5G has a 64 megapixel main camera, good for everyday photography. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a 108 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail and better suited to photography enthusiasts who want higher resolution images.

Front Camera Detail

For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy A52 5G offers a 32 megapixel front camera. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a 40 megapixel front camera, which provides sharper and more detailed images for close-up shots.

Camera type

N/AQuadruple (4x)

Front camera

32 megapixels40 megapixels

Main camera

64 megapixels108 megapixels

Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G size and design

Other features like connectors, card slots, SIM options and physical dimensions can influence daily convenience and device compatibility.

Headphone Jack and Connectors

The Galaxy A52 5G includes a 3.5mm headphone jack alongside USB-C, allowing you to use traditional wired headphones without an adapter. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has USB-C only, so wireless or USB-C headphones are needed.

Storage Expansion

The Galaxy A52 5G offers a microSDXC slot to expand storage easily with a memory card, which is helpful if you want to add more space for media or files. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G does not have a microSD card slot.

SIM Card Options

The Galaxy A52 5G supports a physical SIM card. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, which can be useful if you want to use multiple numbers or carriers without swapping physical SIM cards.

Physical Dimensions and Weight

The Galaxy A52 5G is slimmer and lighter with a depth of 8.4 mm and weight of 189 g. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is slightly thicker at 8.9 mm and heavier at 227 g, reflecting its larger screen and battery.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mmUSB-C

Depth

8.4 mm8.9 mm

Height

159.9 mm165.1 mm

Mobile network

5G5G

Release date

N/A29 January 2021

SD card slot

microSDXCNo

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM + eSIM

Weight

189 g227 g

Width

75.1 mm75.6 mm

Galaxy A52 5G or Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy A52 5G if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £136.62, £132.24 less than the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
  • you want a lighter build (189 g vs 227 g)
  • you want a headphone jack

Buy the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if

  • you want more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB)
  • you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh)
  • you want a bigger screen (6.8 inch vs 6.5 inch)

What our customers say

Customers of the Galaxy A52 5G report mixed experiences with the device condition. Some mention issues with the camera and charging port. Others find the phone looks great and works perfectly. Battery life opinions vary, with some noting good longevity and others less so. Several customers appreciate the phone's modern look and ease of use, particularly if they are less familiar with technology. Wear on ports and battery cover peeling are mentioned by some users, but many express satisfaction with the device's overall condition.

Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G customers often highlight the phone's excellent condition, with many saying it looks almost new and performs well. The phone is praised for its speed and reliability, making it suitable for users wanting a premium experience without paying full price. Some customers appreciate the large screen and quality feel. There are a few reports of technical issues, but these are outweighed by positive experiences with the phone's display and performance. Several customers recommend the device for those seeking a high-end refurbished phone.

Overall, the Galaxy A52 5G suits users looking for a simpler, lighter phone with good battery life and expandable storage, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G fits those wanting a larger screen, more memory, and higher resolution cameras for advanced multitasking and photography.

Galaxy A52 5G vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G FAQs

Galaxy A52 5G vs S21 Ultra 5G comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) on the Galaxy A52 5G, 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 A52 5G is cheaper refurbished, from £136.62 compared with £268.86 for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a higher-resolution main camera: 108 megapixels vs 64 megapixels.

Updates for the Galaxy A52 5G ended in Mar 2025. Updates for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G ended in Feb 2026.

Refurbished, the Galaxy A52 5G comes in 128GB, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.

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