Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Vivo iQOO 15
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (2021) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2100, while the Vivo iQOO 15 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite; launch prices were $1199 and $599. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads — 86/100 vs 61/100 (a 25-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 15 has the bigger battery (7000 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 108 MP vs 50 MP; the Vivo iQOO 15 is faster in AnTuTu (3,740,528 vs 1,074,182).
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Vivo iQOO 15
- Better main camera: 108MP vs 50MP
- Overall rating 61/100
- Higher AnTuTu: 3740528 vs 1074182
- Better Geekbench Single: 3041 vs 1435
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9494 vs 3555
- Bigger battery: 7000 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 40W vs 15W
- Lighter: 215g vs 228g
- Cheaper at launch: $599 vs $1199
- Higher performance (94/100 vs 63/100)
- Better camera (78/100 vs 55/100)
- Longer battery life (85/100 vs 52/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 89/100)
- Better portability (48/100 vs 33/100)
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs the Vivo iQOO 15, the Vivo iQOO 15 scores 25 points higher (86/100 vs 61/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads (94/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads (78/100 vs 55/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 leads (85/100 vs 52/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra — 32/100, Vivo iQOO 15 — 84/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (94/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 is a bit better (99/100 vs 89/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (78/100 vs 55/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (85/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (48/100 vs 33/100).
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Vivo iQOO 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | |
| AnTuTu | 1074182 | 3740528 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 3041 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 9494 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3200x1440 | 1440x3168 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 7000 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 40W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 117 | — | |
| Main camera | 108 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 40 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1500 nits | 6000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 165.1×75.6×8.9 mm | 163.7×76.8×8.1 mm | |
| Weight | 228 g | 215 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $599 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Main: 108MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 40MP
Vivo iQOO 15
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Vivo iQOO 15
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3168
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Vivo iQOO 15
- 7000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 18:52 hrs, total 39:26 hrs
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 40W
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Vivo iQOO 15, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO 15 leads Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 71.3% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $600. Vivo iQOO 15 was $600 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (94/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 is a bit better (99/100 vs 89/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (78/100 vs 55/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (85/100 vs 52/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (48/100 vs 33/100).
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Vivo iQOO 15 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 25 points (86/100 vs 61/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 61/100, the Vivo iQOO 15 — 86/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Vivo iQOO 15 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 55/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Vivo iQOO 15 leads on performance (94/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra over the Vivo iQOO 15?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a better fit for active users. The Vivo iQOO 15 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.