Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Vivo iQOO 16
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (2021) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2100, while the Vivo iQOO 16 (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $1199 and $840. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads — 89/100 vs 61/100 (a 28-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 16 has the bigger battery (8400 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 108 MP vs 50 MP; the Vivo iQOO 16 is faster in AnTuTu (5,498,720 vs 1,074,182).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Vivo iQOO 16
What makes Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra better?
- Better main camera: 108MP vs 50MP
- Overall rating 61/100
What makes Vivo iQOO 16 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5498720 vs 1074182
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 1435
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 3555
- Bigger battery: 8400 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
- Higher refresh rate: 165Hz vs 120Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 40W vs 15W
- Lighter: 223g vs 228g
- Cheaper at launch: $840 vs $1199
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 63/100)
- Better camera (78/100 vs 55/100)
- Longer battery life (90/100 vs 52/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 89/100)
- Better portability (42/100 vs 33/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra vs the Vivo iQOO 16, the Vivo iQOO 16 scores 28 points higher (89/100 vs 61/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (100/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (78/100 vs 55/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (90/100 vs 52/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra — 32/100, Vivo iQOO 16 — 92/100; 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 Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (100/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 is a bit better (99/100 vs 89/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (78/100 vs 55/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (90/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 is a bit better (42/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Vivo iQOO 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2100 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 1074182 | 5498720 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1435 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3555 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.8" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3200x1440 | 1440x3168 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 165 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 8400 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 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1500 nits | 6000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 165.1×75.6×8.9 mm | 163.8×76.9×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 228 g | 223 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $840 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Main: 108MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 40MP
Vivo iQOO 16
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Vivo iQOO 16
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3168
- Refresh rate: 165 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Vivo iQOO 16
- 8400 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 40W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Vivo iQOO 16, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO 16 leads Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 80.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $359. Vivo iQOO 16 was $359 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (100/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 is a bit better (99/100 vs 89/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (78/100 vs 55/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (90/100 vs 52/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 is a bit better (42/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra by 28 points (89/100 vs 61/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 61/100, the Vivo iQOO 16 — 89/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 55/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 leads on performance (100/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra over the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a better fit for active users. The Vivo iQOO 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.