Samsung Galaxy M21s vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy M21s (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 45/100 (a 39-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy M21s has the bigger battery (6000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 64 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 355,351); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has NFC for contactless payments, the Samsung Galaxy M21s doesn't; the Samsung Galaxy M21s is noticeably lighter (191g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy M21s
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy M21s better?
- Bigger battery: 6000 vs 5000 mAh
- Lighter: 191g vs 214g
- Better portability (55/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 355351
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 365
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 1107
- Faster charging: 60W vs 15W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 64MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 25/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 48/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 51/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 83/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy M21s vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 39 points higher (84/100 vs 45/100). 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 48/100). 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 M21s (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 M21s (86/100 vs 48/100). 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 M21s and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (55/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy M21s | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Exynos 9611 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 355351 | 3463142 | |
| 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 | 64 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2.5 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 420 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | no | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 159.2×75.1×8.9 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 191 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | — | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy M21s
- Main: 64MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 32MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy M21s
- 6.4" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: —
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy M21s
- 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
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy M21s and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy M21s by 89.7% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Samsung Galaxy M21s
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21s (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 M21s (86/100 vs 48/100).
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 M21s and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (55/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy M21s or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M21s by 39 points (84/100 vs 45/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy M21s and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy M21s has a MobileRank rating of 45/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy M21s or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 48/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy M21s 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 M21s 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.