Samsung Galaxy A21s vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy A21s (2020) runs on the Exynos 850, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $215 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 29/100 (a 55-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 234,339); the Samsung Galaxy A21s is noticeably lighter (192g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy A21s
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy A21s better?
- Lighter: 192g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $215 vs $1299
- Better portability (55/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 234339
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 300
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 836
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 16/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 30/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 52/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 32/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A21s vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 55 points higher (84/100 vs 29/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 16/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 30/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy A21s — 16/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (96/100 vs 16/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (88/100 vs 32/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (86/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A21s and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (55/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy A21s | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 850 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 234339 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 300 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 836 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.5" IPS LCD | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | — | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | — | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 13 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 3GB / 4GB / 6GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 32GB / 64GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | — | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.7×75.3×8.9 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 192 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $215 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- Main: 48MP
- Front: 13MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- 6.5" IPS LCD
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- 5000 mAh
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy A21s and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy A21s by 93.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $1084. Samsung Galaxy A21s was $1084 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (96/100 vs 16/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (88/100 vs 32/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s (86/100 vs 30/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 52/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A21s and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (55/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy A21s or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s by 55 points (84/100 vs 29/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy A21s and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy A21s has a MobileRank rating of 29/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy A21s or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 30/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy A21s or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 16/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy A21s over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.