Samsung Galaxy M21 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy M21 (2020) runs on the Exynos 9611, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 42/100 (a 42-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy M21 has the bigger battery (6000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 355,351); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has NFC for contactless payments, the Samsung Galaxy M21 doesn't; the Samsung Galaxy M21 is noticeably lighter (188g vs 214g).
Samsung Galaxy M21
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Bigger battery: 6000 vs 5000 mAh
- Lighter: 188g vs 214g
- Better portability (57/100 vs 51/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 355351
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 365
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 1107
- Faster charging: 60W vs 15W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 25/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 36/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 51/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 83/100)
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy M21 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 42 points higher (84/100 vs 42/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 25/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 36/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 51/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (96/100 vs 25/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 83/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (86/100 vs 36/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 51/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 is a bit better (57/100 vs 51/100).
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy M21 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 9611 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 355351 | 3515964 | |
| Geekbench Single | 365 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 1107 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.4" Super AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 15W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 20 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 10.0; One UI 2 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 420 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | no | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 159.0×75.1×8.9 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 188 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | — | $1299 |
Samsung Galaxy M21
- Main: 48MP f/f/2.0
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 20MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy M21
- 6.4" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: —
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy M21
- 6000 mAh
- Wired: 15W
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
We compared Samsung Galaxy M21 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy M21 by 89.9% in our overall performance rating.
Samsung Galaxy M21
Price unknownperformance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (96/100 vs 25/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 83/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 (86/100 vs 36/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 51/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy M21 is a bit better (57/100 vs 51/100).
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21 by 42 points (84/100 vs 42/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy M21 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy M21 has a MobileRank rating of 42/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 36/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy M21 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 25/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy M21 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy M21 is a better fit for everyday use. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.