Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 5G
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Galaxy S20 Ultra
Starting at
£269.45£1,199.99 new
Galaxy S21 5G
Starting at
£171.33£1,125.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S20 Ultra and Galaxy S21 5G?
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs S21 5G comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy S21 5G starts at £171.33, £98.12 less than the Galaxy S20 Ultra. The Galaxy S21 5G is the newer model, released in 2021.
Refurbished from
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- The Galaxy S20 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
- The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.2 inch.
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 5G specs
The Galaxy S20 Ultra and Galaxy S21 5G differ in key areas that suit different needs. The Galaxy S20 Ultra offers a larger 6.9 inch screen with higher resolution and more RAM, making it a good fit if you want a spacious display and extra memory for multitasking. It also has a bigger 5000 mAh battery and a very high-resolution camera setup, which helps if you want long battery life and detailed photos. The Galaxy S21 5G is lighter and smaller, with a 6.2 inch screen and 5G connectivity.
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 5G price
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Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 5G battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, and how you use your phone daily.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery, which suits users who need longer battery life between charges. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 4000 mAh battery, still solid for everyday use but smaller, so it may need topping up sooner with heavy use.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 5G performance
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Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 5G screen
Screen quality affects how you see content, with size, sharpness, and smoothness playing important roles. Both devices share some features but differ in others that influence your viewing experience.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a 6.9 inch screen with a resolution of 1440 x 3200, making it ideal if you want a large, sharp display for watching videos or multitasking. The Galaxy S21 5G offers a smaller 6.2 inch screen at 1080 x 2400 resolution, suited for those who prefer a more compact phone that is easier to handle.
Refresh Rate and Screen Type
Both phones feature a 120 Hz refresh rate and Dynamic AMOLED 2X screens, which means smooth scrolling and vibrant colours on each. This ensures a responsive and visually rich experience regardless of which device you choose.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 5G camera
Camera capabilities differ significantly and affect how much detail you capture in photos and selfies. These choices matter if photography is a priority for you.
Main Camera Resolution
The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a 108 megapixel main camera, making it suitable if you want very detailed photos and high-resolution images. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 12 megapixel main camera, which is well suited for everyday photography with good image quality.
Front Camera Resolution
The Galaxy S20 Ultra offers a 40 megapixel front camera, which captures more detail in selfies and video calls. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 10 megapixel front camera, which is sufficient for clear and sharp front-facing photos.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 5G size and design
Other features such as size, weight, network support, and SIM options influence how the phone fits your lifestyle and connectivity needs.
Mobile Network Compatibility
The Galaxy S21 5G supports 5G networks, which is a good choice if you want faster mobile data speeds where 5G is available. The Galaxy S20 Ultra works on 4G networks, suitable for reliable connectivity on established networks.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy S20 Ultra is larger and heavier at 166.9 mm tall, 76 mm wide, 8.8 mm deep, and 222 g in weight. This makes it a substantial device that fits well if you prefer a bigger phone. The Galaxy S21 5G is more compact and lighter at 151.7 mm tall, 71.2 mm wide, 7.9 mm deep, and 169 g, making it easier to carry and handle with one hand.
SIM and Storage Options
The Galaxy S21 5G supports dual physical SIMs plus eSIM, which offers flexible options for managing multiple phone numbers or plans. The Galaxy S20 Ultra supports dual physical SIMs. In storage, the Galaxy S21 5G is available in 128GB and 256GB options, suitable if you want more space. The Galaxy S20 Ultra is stocked with 128GB.
Expandable Storage
The Galaxy S20 Ultra includes a microSDXC slot, allowing you to expand storage with a memory card. The Galaxy S21 5G does not have this feature.
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Galaxy S20 Ultra or Galaxy S21 5G: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S20 Ultra 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, £98.12 less than the Galaxy S20 Ultra
- you want 5G
- you want a lighter build (169 g vs 222 g)
What our customers say
Customers say the Galaxy S20 Ultra looks brand new and many are happy with its large screen and strong battery life. Several mention the phone works well and loads apps quickly, with some praising the camera and overall condition. Some users note minor issues with previous owner data not fully erased or screen problems, but most remain very satisfied and would buy again.
The Galaxy S21 5G is described as being in excellent or near-new condition with a clean screen and good battery. Buyers appreciate its compact size and flexibility with dual SIM plus eSIM. Several customers highlight the reliable performance and good quality for a refurbished phone. A few mention regional software restrictions but overall the phone meets expectations well.
Both phones suit different users: the Galaxy S20 Ultra is favoured by those wanting a larger display and detailed cameras, while the Galaxy S21 5G appeals to buyers who prefer a lighter, smaller device with 5G and more recent software support.
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 5G FAQs
Galaxy S20 Ultra vs S21 5G comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy S20 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB. The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Galaxy S21 5G is cheaper refurbished, from £171.33 compared with £269.45 for the Galaxy S20 Ultra.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 108 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S20 Ultra ended in Mar 2025. Updates for the Galaxy S21 5G ended in Feb 2026.
The Galaxy S21 5G adds 5G and a lighter build (169 g vs 222 g). Refurbished, it costs £98.12 less (from £171.33 vs £269.45).
Refurbished, the Galaxy S20 Ultra comes in 128GB, and the Galaxy S21 5G in 128GB and 256GB.
