The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra was a flagship powerhouse in 2020—renowned for its S Pen integration, premium build, and top-tier display. When the Galaxy S21 Ultra arrived in 2021, it didn’t just refine the formula; it redefined what a Samsung flagship could be. It absorbed the Note series’ legacy, including full S Pen support, while pushing boundaries in camera technology, performance, and software. For owners of the Note 20 Ultra, the question isn’t whether the S21 Ultra is better on paper—it clearly is—but whether the upgrade delivers enough real-world improvement to justify the cost.
This analysis dives deep into the tangible differences between these two devices, focusing not just on specs but on daily usability, longevity, and practical value.
Design and Build: Evolution, Not Revolution
At first glance, both phones share a similar DNA: curved glass, metal frames, and a commanding presence. The Note 20 Ultra features a slightly more angular design with a distinct camera housing that extends from the back panel. The S21 Ultra, meanwhile, introduces a new industrial design language with a matte finish and a bold, integrated camera bar that spans the top edge. This change isn't just aesthetic—it improves grip and reduces fingerprint smudging.
Both devices are IP68-rated for dust and water resistance and built with Gorilla Glass Victus. However, the S21 Ultra uses a lighter aluminum frame compared to the Note 20 Ultra’s stainless steel, making it slightly more comfortable for long-term use despite nearly identical weights.
Display and Usability
The displays on both phones are exceptional, but the S21 Ultra takes a measurable leap forward. Both feature 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with QHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rates. However, the S21 Ultra supports adaptive brightness up to 1500 nits (peak), compared to the Note 20 Ultra’s 1400 nits, making it marginally better in direct sunlight.
More importantly, the S21 Ultra improves touch responsiveness with a reduced latency of 8ms, optimized for S Pen input. This makes writing and sketching feel more natural—a subtle but meaningful upgrade for creatives and note-takers.
Another key difference: the S21 Ultra allows users to choose between 60Hz, 120Hz, or adaptive refresh rate modes, offering greater control over battery life. The Note 20 Ultra’s 120Hz mode is fixed at 60Hz when resolution is set to WQHD+, limiting flexibility.
Performance: Beyond Raw Power
Under the hood, the S21 Ultra runs on either the Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888 (depending on region), both manufactured on a 5nm process. The Note 20 Ultra uses the older Exynos 990 or Snapdragon 865+, built on 7nm. While benchmarks show a 25–30% improvement in CPU and GPU performance, the real-world impact is more nuanced.
In everyday tasks—browsing, messaging, streaming—the difference is minimal. Both handle multitasking with ease and support microSD expansion and UFS 3.1 storage. However, the S21 Ultra shows noticeable advantages in sustained workloads: gaming at max settings, 8K video editing, and AR applications. It also benefits from improved thermal management, reducing throttling during extended use.
“Upgrading purely for speed rarely pays off after the mid-tier. But if you push your phone to its limits, the S21 Ultra’s efficiency gains add up over time.” — David Kim, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechPulse Asia
Camera Comparison: A Night-and-Day Difference
This is where the S21 Ultra pulls decisively ahead. The Note 20 Ultra already had a strong camera system: 108MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and dual telephoto lenses (5x optical periscope, 3x hybrid). But the S21 Ultra enhances every aspect.
The main sensor remains 108MP but now supports nona-binning by default, producing sharper 12MP shots in low light. More significantly, it adds a second telephoto lens: one with 3x optical zoom and another with 10x optical periscope zoom. This enables true 100x Space Zoom with dramatically better clarity than the Note 20 Ultra’s digital-heavy approach.
In practical terms, the S21 Ultra captures more detail in distant subjects, handles high-contrast scenes better thanks to improved HDR, and offers enhanced Director’s View and Pro Video modes. Its night mode is faster and produces more natural colors. For photography enthusiasts, this alone may justify the upgrade.
| Feature | Note 20 Ultra | S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP f/1.8 | 108MP f/1.8 (larger pixels) |
| Ultra-Wide | 12MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/2.2 (reduced distortion) |
| Telephoto Lenses | One: 5x optical | Two: 3x & 10x optical |
| Video Recording | 8K @ 24fps | 8K @ 24fps (better stabilization) |
| Low-Light Performance | Good | Excellent (larger sensor, AI processing) |
Battery Life and Charging: Diminishing Returns
The Note 20 Ultra packs a 4,500mAh battery; the S21 Ultra increases this to 5,000mAh. In real-world usage, this translates to roughly 10–15% longer screen-on time. Both support 25W wired charging, but the S21 Ultra adds 10W reverse wireless charging, allowing it to power accessories or other phones in a pinch.
However, the larger display and more powerful chipset offset some of the gains. Users report similar daily endurance: about one full day with mixed use. Where the S21 Ultra wins is consistency—its battery degrades slower due to optimized charging algorithms and better thermal control.
Software and Long-Term Value
One of the most compelling reasons to upgrade is software support. The S21 Ultra launched with Android 11 and is guaranteed up to four major OS updates (up to Android 15) and five years of security patches. The Note 20 Ultra, while still receiving updates, will likely stop at Android 14.
The S21 Ultra also introduced Samsung’s refined One UI 3.1, bringing improved dark mode, better privacy controls, and enhanced DeX functionality. With the discontinuation of the Note line, the S21 Ultra (and its successors) became the spiritual heir—meaning future S Pen features are being developed exclusively for the S-series.
Mini Case Study: From Note User to S21 Adopter
Mark, a freelance architect in Seoul, relied on his Note 20 Ultra for sketches, client presentations, and site documentation. After 18 months, he considered upgrading. “I loved the S Pen, but my photos weren’t sharp enough for proposals,” he said. He switched to the S21 Ultra primarily for the dual telephoto cameras and improved DeX experience.
“Now I can take detailed shots of construction flaws from across the site and annotate them instantly. The extra zoom and better low-light performance save me hours of follow-up visits.” For Mark, the upgrade paid for itself in productivity gains within three months.
Upgrade Checklist: Is It Right for You?
Before making the jump, consider this checklist:
- ✅ Do you regularly shoot photos or videos at distance?
- ✅ Are you pushing your phone with heavy multitasking or creative apps?
- ✅ Do you want longer software support (4+ years)?
- ✅ Is your Note 20 Ultra showing signs of wear (battery degradation, lag)?
- ❌ Are you satisfied with current performance and only using basic functions?
If three or more of the first four apply, the upgrade is likely worthwhile. If you answered yes to the last, hold off—your device still has life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the S Pen on the S21 Ultra as well as on the Note 20 Ultra?
Absolutely. The S21 Ultra supports the same low-latency S Pen input, with additional air command gestures and improved palm rejection. All Note-compatible styluses work interchangeably.
Is the price difference justified?
At launch, the S21 Ultra was priced similarly to the Note 20 Ultra. Today, both are available at discounted rates. If buying secondhand, the S21 Ultra offers better long-term value due to newer hardware and extended update support.
Does the S21 Ultra fix the overheating issues of the Note 20 Ultra?
Yes, partially. The 5nm chip runs cooler under load, and Samsung improved internal heat dissipation. While intense gaming still generates warmth, throttling is less frequent and recovery is faster.
Final Verdict: Upgrade with Purpose
Upgrading from the Note 20 Ultra to the S21 Ultra isn’t about fixing flaws—it’s about unlocking potential. The improvements are evolutionary, not revolutionary, but they accumulate into a noticeably better experience, especially in photography, responsiveness, and future-proofing.
If you're still happy with your Note 20 Ultra, there's no urgent need to switch. But if you rely on your phone for creative work, travel photography, or professional tasks that demand precision and power, the S21 Ultra delivers tangible returns. It’s not just a new phone; it’s the foundation for the next three to four years of mobile use.
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