Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G
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Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
Starting at
£233.80£1,220.00 new
Galaxy S21 5G
Starting at
£171.33£1,290.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and Galaxy S21 5G?
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs S21 5G comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy S21 5G starts at £171.33, £62.47 less than the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G. The Galaxy S21 5G is the newer model, released in 2021.
Refurbished from
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- The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
- The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.2 inch.
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G specs
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and Galaxy S21 5G differ in size, battery capacity, camera detail, and storage options. The S20 Ultra offers a larger 6.9 inch screen with higher resolution and more RAM, suitable if you want a very spacious display and more multitasking ability. It also has a bigger 5000 mAh battery and very high-resolution cameras which capture fine details. The S21 5G has a smaller 6.2 inch screen with Full HD resolution, a lighter weight, and supports dual physical SIMs with more storage choices. Choose the S21 5G if you prefer a more compact phone with dual SIM capability. The S20 Ultra suits those wanting a larger screen, bigger battery, and higher camera megapixels.
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G price
Colour
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G battery life and software updates
Battery size and software updates are key for daily use and long term support. Here the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and Galaxy S21 5G show clear differences to suit different needs.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a 5000 mAh battery which can support longer usage between charges compared to the Galaxy S21 5G's 4000 mAh. If you often use your phone heavily or want longer screen-on time, the S20 Ultra's larger battery is beneficial. The S21 5G still offers solid daily battery life but suits those who may charge more frequently or prefer a smaller device.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G performance
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Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G screen
Screen size, resolution and quality affect how much you see and how sharp it looks. Both phones use Dynamic AMOLED 2X screens and have a 120 Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a larger 6.9 inch screen with a higher resolution of 1440 by 3200 pixels. This makes it well suited for watching videos, gaming, or reading where more screen space and sharper detail help. The Galaxy S21 5G's 6.2 inch screen with 1080 by 2400 pixels is more compact and easier to handle one-handed, ideal if you want a smaller phone with good clarity.
Screen Technology
Both devices utilise Dynamic AMOLED 2X screens and a 120 Hz refresh rate. This means both offer vibrant colours and smooth scrolling or animations. You get similar screen fluidity on either phone, so the choice depends more on size and resolution preferences.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G camera
Camera megapixels indicate the level of detail your photos can capture. Both phones offer strong camera setups but differ significantly in resolution.
Front Camera Megapixels
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G features a 40 megapixel front camera, which can capture highly detailed selfies and video calls. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 10 megapixel front camera suitable for everyday use and good quality images but with fewer pixels. If detailed selfies matter, the S20 Ultra provides more resolution.
Main Camera Megapixels
The main camera on the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G offers 108 megapixels, allowing for very high-resolution photos with fine detail. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 12 megapixel main camera which captures solid images for everyday photography. Choose the S20 Ultra for maximum detail in your photos or the S21 5G for simpler use.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G size and design
Other practical differences include size, weight, SIM options and storage. These affect how the phones fit in your hand, how many SIMs you can use, and how much data you can store.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G is larger and heavier at 166.9 mm tall, 76 mm wide and 222 g. The Galaxy S21 5G is more compact and lighter, measuring 151.7 mm tall, 71.2 mm wide and weighing 169 g. If you want a phone that is easier to carry and handle, the S21 5G suits better. The S20 Ultra provides a bigger device presence.
SIM Card Support
The Galaxy S21 5G supports dual physical SIM cards plus eSIM, offering flexibility if you want to use two phone numbers or carriers simultaneously. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G supports one physical SIM card and eSIM, suitable for single SIM use with an eSIM option.
Storage Choices
The Galaxy S21 5G offers two storage options stocked here: 128GB and 256GB. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G is available with 128GB. If you need more internal storage for apps, photos or files, the S21 5G's higher capacity option may be useful.
Expandable Storage
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G supports microSDXC cards to expand storage beyond the internal capacity. The Galaxy S21 5G does not have a microSD card slot, so storage depends on the internal memory you choose.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G or Galaxy S21 5G: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.2 inch)
Buy the Galaxy S21 5G if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £171.33, £62.47 less than the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
- you want a lighter build (169 g vs 222 g)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G praise its excellent condition, often noting the phone looks like new with no marks. Many appreciate the large screen resolution and 12GB RAM, which supports heavy use and multitasking. Some mention the battery lasts well, while a few wish it lasted longer given the phone's size. The camera quality and overall performance are also highlighted positively. Overall, users find the S20 Ultra fits their needs perfectly, especially for those wanting a larger, feature-rich phone.
Galaxy S21 5G customers report the phones arrive in excellent condition and often look pristine. The smaller size and lighter weight receive positive remarks. Several customers highlight the good battery condition and reliable performance. Users appreciate dual SIM support, with one noting it perfectly suits their need to separate internet and call SIMs. Some mention minor signs of wear on fair condition models but say the phone feels nearly new. The S21 5G suits buyers who want a compact, well-maintained device with flexible SIM options.
Both phones attract buyers looking for quality refurbished devices in excellent shape. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G is favoured for its large screen, high RAM, and detailed cameras. The Galaxy S21 5G fits those wanting a smaller, lighter phone with dual SIM capability.
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G FAQs
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs S21 5G comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Galaxy S21 5G is cheaper refurbished, from £171.33 compared with £233.80 for the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a higher-resolution main camera: 108 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G ended in Mar 2025. Updates for the Galaxy S21 5G ended in Feb 2026.
The Galaxy S21 5G adds a lighter build (169 g vs 222 g). Refurbished, it costs £62.47 less (from £171.33 vs £233.80).
Refurbished, the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G comes in 128GB, and the Galaxy S21 5G in 128GB and 256GB.
