Galaxy S20 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S20
Starting at
£188.75£999.00 new
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Starting at
£268.86£1,800.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G?
Galaxy S20 vs S21 Ultra 5G comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy S20 starts at £188.75, £80.11 less than the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the newer model, released in 2021.
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- The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
- The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a bigger screen: 6.8 inch vs 6.2 inch.
Galaxy S20 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G specs
The Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G differ in several key areas that suit different needs. The Galaxy S20 offers a lighter and more compact design with a 6.2 inch screen and 8 GB of RAM, making it a solid choice for everyday use and portability. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G comes with a larger 6.8 inch screen, more RAM at 12 GB, and a bigger 5000 mAh battery, fitting those who want a more spacious display and longer battery life. The S21 Ultra 5G also supports 5G networks and has significantly higher resolution cameras for detailed photos. Storage options for the S21 Ultra 5G are more varied, offering up to 512GB. The Galaxy S20 includes a microSD card slot for extra storage, which some users may find helpful. Both phones run Android and are unlocked for different carriers.
Galaxy S20 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G price
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Galaxy S20 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and build features that affect how long each device performs in daily use. These differences influence battery life and system updates.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S20 has a 4000 mAh battery which suits everyday use with moderate battery life. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G features a larger 5000 mAh battery, which is better for users who need longer usage between charges, such as heavy app users or frequent travellers.
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Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
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Galaxy S20 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G performance
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Galaxy S20 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G screen
Screen quality affects how you experience content like videos, games, and reading. Both devices share some features but differ in size, which can impact usability.
Screen Size
The Galaxy S20 has a 6.2 inch screen, offering a compact and easily pocketable display. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a larger 6.8 inch screen that provides more room for video watching, gaming, and multitasking, ideal for users who prefer a more immersive visual experience.
Refresh Rate And Resolution
Both devices offer a 120 Hz refresh rate and a 1440 x 3200 resolution with Dynamic AMOLED 2X screens. This means smooth scrolling and sharp, vibrant images on both phones, suiting users who value display performance.
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Resolution
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Galaxy S20 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G camera
Camera quality is an important factor for capturing photos and selfies. Both phones have different megapixel counts that reflect their photographic capabilities.
Front Camera
The Galaxy S20 has a 10 megapixel front camera which is suitable for clear selfies and video calls. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a 40 megapixel front camera that captures more detail, ideal for users who prioritise high-resolution selfies.
Main Camera
The Galaxy S20's main camera has 12 megapixels, which supports everyday photography needs. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a 108 megapixel main camera, designed for users who want to capture very detailed and high-resolution photos.
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Galaxy S20 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G size and design
Other differences include network compatibility, storage options, physical dimensions, and expandability, all factors that influence daily convenience and device fit.
Mobile Network
The Galaxy S20 supports 4G networks, which suits users who do not require 5G connectivity. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G supports 5G, appealing to those with access to 5G networks who want faster mobile data speeds.
Storage Options
The Galaxy S20 is stocked with 128GB storage and includes a microSDXC card slot, allowing users to expand storage with a memory card. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB versions but does not have a microSD card slot, which suits users who prefer higher built-in storage.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy S20 measures 161.9 mm tall, 73.7 mm wide, and 7.8 mm deep, weighing 163 g. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is larger and heavier at 16.51 cm tall, 7.56 cm wide, 0.89 cm deep, and 227 g. The Galaxy S20 suits those wanting a lighter and more compact phone, while the S21 Ultra 5G fits those comfortable with a larger, heavier device.
SIM Cards and Connector
Both devices use a physical SIM plus eSIM and have USB Type-C connectors, ensuring flexible carrier use and standard charging.
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Galaxy S20 or Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S20 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £188.75, £80.11 less than the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- you want a lighter build (163 g vs 227 g)
- you want a memory card slot
Buy the Galaxy S21 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 (6.8 inch vs 6.2 inch)
What our customers say
Customers of the Galaxy S20 often praise its clean condition and light weight, which makes it easy to carry. Many users find the phone works well and looks almost new, with some noting it matches the description of excellent condition. A few customers mention issues with reliability or network blacklisting, but most appreciate the phone's overall performance and simplicity. Transferring data is described as manageable, and the phone suits everyday use for those wanting a straightforward Android experience.
Customers of the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G highlight its near-new condition and reliability even in good condition grading. Many appreciate the phone's speed, large screen, and detailed cameras. The S21 Ultra 5G is seen as a solid choice for those wanting a more premium device without paying full retail price. Some users mention occasional functional issues, but most are happy with performance and the immersive display. The larger size and higher specs suit users looking for an advanced smartphone experience.
Overall, the Galaxy S20 appeals to those who value a lighter, more compact phone with expandable storage and solid everyday use. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G fits users wanting a larger screen, more RAM, higher camera resolution, and 5G connectivity.
Galaxy S20 vs Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G FAQs
Galaxy S20 vs S21 Ultra 5G comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB. The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Galaxy S20 is cheaper refurbished, from £188.75 compared with £268.86 for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has a higher-resolution main camera: 108 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S20 ended in Mar 2025. Updates for the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G ended in Feb 2026.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G adds more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB), a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4000 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.8 inch vs 6.2 inch). Refurbished, it costs £80.11 more (from £268.86 vs £188.75).
Refurbished, the Galaxy S20 comes in 128GB, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
