Galaxy S20 FE vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S20 FE
Starting at
£159.05£779.00 new
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Starting at
£268.86£1,316.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S20 FE and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?
Galaxy S20 FE vs S21 Ultra 5G comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy S20 FE starts at £159.05, £109.81 less than the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the newer model, released in 2021.
Refurbished from
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Battery
Screen size
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Main camera
- 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.
- The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a bigger screen: 6.8 inch vs 6.5 inch.
Galaxy S20 FE vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G specs
The Galaxy S20 FE and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offer strong Samsung experiences but suit different users. The Galaxy S20 FE is a solid choice for everyday use, with a good battery size, a triple camera setup, and a 6.5 inch Super AMOLED screen at 1080 x 2400 resolution. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a larger 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with higher resolution and a more advanced camera system that captures greater detail. With double the RAM and a 5G connection, the S21 Ultra 5G fits users who want top performance and multimedia features. The S20 FE supports expandable storage and physical SIM only, while the S21 Ultra 5G has no SD card slot but adds eSIM support. Both come unlocked and use USB-C connectors, but the S21 Ultra 5G offers longer software updates and a bigger battery for longer use between charges.
Galaxy S20 FE vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G price
Colour
Galaxy S20 FE vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and basic operating system details. These affect how long the phone lasts on a charge and how long you can keep it up to date.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S20 FE has a 4500 mAh battery, which suits everyday users who want reliable all-day use. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a larger 5000 mAh battery, ideal if you want longer use between charges or use power-hungry apps and features more often.
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Wireless charging
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Galaxy S20 FE vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G performance
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S20 FE vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G screen
Screen quality affects how much detail you see, how smooth motion looks, and how immersive the display feels. Both have a 120 Hz refresh rate for smoothness but differ in size, resolution, and screen type.
Screen Resolution and Size
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a larger 6.8 inch screen with a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, which is sharper and more spacious. This suits users who watch a lot of video or prefer a roomier display for reading and browsing. The Galaxy S20 FE has a 6.5 inch screen with 1080 x 2400 resolution, providing good clarity for everyday tasks in a slightly more compact size.
Screen Technology
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G uses Dynamic AMOLED 2X, which delivers vibrant colours and excellent brightness, enhancing viewing in different lighting conditions. The Galaxy S20 FE has a Super AMOLED screen, which also provides strong colour and contrast, making it practical for most users.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S20 FE vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G camera
Audiovisual features focus on camera capabilities, important if you take photos or videos regularly or want high resolution in front and main cameras.
Camera Setup
The Galaxy S20 FE has a triple camera system, designed to cover a range of shooting needs with fewer lenses. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a quadruple camera setup, offering more versatility and potentially more detailed shots.
Main Camera Resolution
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G's main camera boasts 108 megapixels, suited for capturing extremely detailed photos. The Galaxy S20 FE's main camera has 12 megapixels, which still delivers quality images for everyday photography.
Front Camera Resolution
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a 40 megapixel front camera, which is well suited to high-resolution selfies and video calls. The Galaxy S20 FE features a 32 megapixel front camera, providing sharp images that suit daily use.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S20 FE vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G size and design
Miscellaneous details cover connectivity, size, weight, and storage options which affect how the phone fits your lifestyle and how flexible it is for storage and network needs.
Mobile Network and SIM Options
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G supports 5G networks, suitable if you want faster mobile data speeds where available. It also supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, offering more flexibility for managing mobile plans. The Galaxy S20 FE supports 4G and uses a physical SIM only.
Storage and Expandability
The Galaxy S20 FE offers built-in storage options of 128GB and 256GB and includes a microSDXC slot for adding extra storage, which suits users who want to expand storage over time. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers storage options up to 512GB but does not have a microSD slot.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy S20 FE measures 159.8 mm tall, 74.5 mm wide, and weighs 190 g. Its size fits comfortably in most hands and pockets. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is larger and heavier, measuring 165.1 mm tall, 75.6 mm wide, and weighing 227 g, which suits users who prioritise a larger screen and don't mind extra weight.
Connector and Carrier
Both phones use USB-C connectors and come unlocked, so you can use them with any compatible carrier.
Device Thickness
The Galaxy S20 FE is 8.4 mm thick, making it slightly slimmer than the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, which is 8.9 mm thick.
Carrier compatibility
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Galaxy S20 FE or Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S20 FE if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £159.05, £109.81 less than the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- you want a lighter build (190 g vs 227 g)
- you want a memory card slot
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 say the Galaxy S20 FE generally looks like new and performs well for everyday use. Many appreciate its reliable condition and screen quality, with some noting the battery life lasts about half a day. A few reports mention battery or charging issues, but most find it a good value phone that meets their needs. The device suits users who want a solid Samsung phone with a good screen and expandable storage.
Reviews of the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G highlight its excellent condition, often like new, with no scratches or only minor marks. Customers praise its speed, reliability, and high-quality screen and cameras. Some users mention very positive experiences with the device's condition and performance, while a few have had issues with battery life or device reliability. The phone suits users who want a high-spec device with a large, sharp screen and advanced camera features.
Both phones receive strong positive feedback for their appearance and screen. The Galaxy S20 FE fits those looking for a straightforward, dependable phone, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G appeals to users wanting more power, storage, and camera versatility.
Galaxy S20 FE vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G FAQs
Galaxy S20 FE vs S21 Ultra 5G comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. 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.
The Galaxy S20 FE is cheaper refurbished, from £159.05 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 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S20 FE ended in Nov 2025. Updates for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G ended in Feb 2026.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G adds more RAM (12 GB vs 6 GB), a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.8 inch vs 6.5 inch). Refurbished, it costs £109.81 more (from £268.86 vs £159.05).
Refurbished, the Galaxy S20 FE comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
