Last updated on December 5, 2025
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, a standout winner of the prestigious “Best Smartphone” award at MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2021, still offers a surprisingly capable experience in 2025, especially for its current refurbished price. While it won’t receive the very latest software updates, its premium display, powerful camera with impressive zoom, and reliable performance continue to make it a compelling option. This phone, which beat out strong rivals like the iPhone 12 Pro Max and Mi 11 Ultra in its prime, now presents excellent value for those seeking flagship features on a budget. Let’s explore how this former champion performs four years later, examining its current capabilities, software status, and overall worth.
Key Takeaways: S21 Ultra in 2025
Thinking about a Galaxy S21 Ultra today? Here’s a quick summary of what you need to know. It still offers an excellent camera and a vibrant display, which remains impressive. But, its battery life may vary depending on its past usage and age. Official software updates have largely concluded, which is something to consider for long-term use.
Understanding the Prestigious GLOMO Awards
The GLOMO Awards (Global Mobile Awards) are a highly respected recognition in the mobile world. Often called the “Oscars for phones and mobile technology,” they are presented annually at MWC Barcelona. These awards celebrate the best and brightest advancements across the entire mobile industry.
The GSMA, the organization behind MWC, hosts these awards to recognize excellence. Winning a GLOMO award, especially “Best Smartphone,” means a device truly stood out from the crowd. It reflected new technology and an outstanding user experience.
What Makes a ‘Best Smartphone’ Winner?
For the MWC 2021 awards criteria, judges looked at several key areas. They considered everything from design and build quality to raw performance and new idea. Value for money and the overall user experience were also very important factors.
Sustainability was also beginning to become a consideration even back then. A winning phone had to offer a compelling package across the board, not just excel in one area. It needed to show true leadership in smartphone new idea.
The Samsung S21 Ultra 5G’s Winning Edge in 2021
Back in 2021, the Samsung S21 Ultra 5G features 2021 were truly impressive. It offered a stunning Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This made everything from scrolling to gaming look incredibly fluid and vibrant.
The camera system was also a huge selling point, with a versatile setup including a 108MP main sensor and fantastic zoom capabilities thanks to its periscope lens with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). Plus, it was the first Galaxy S phone to support the S Pen, which was a significant advancement for the series.
Performance-wise, it packed either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 chipset, depending on your region. Both were top-tier processors at the time, offering blazing-fast speeds and excellent 5G connectivity. These factors collectively contributed to its MWC 2021 award.
Head-to-Head: S21 Ultra vs. Its 2021 Flagship Rivals
When the Galaxy S21 Ultra won its award, it was up against some serious competition. Let’s compare it to its closest rivals from that year: the iPhone 12 Pro Max, Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, OnePlus 9 Pro, and even its sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G. These phones represented the pinnacle of smartphone new idea in 2021.
Looking back, it’s clear why the S21 Ultra stood out, but its rivals definitely had their own strengths.
| Feature | Samsung S21 Ultra 5G | iPhone 12 Pro Max | Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra | OnePlus 9 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.8″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (120Hz) | 6.7″ Super Retina XDR OLED (60Hz) | 6.81″ AMOLED (120Hz) | 6.7″ Fluid AMOLED (120Hz) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100 | A14 Bionic | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 888 |
| Main Camera | 108MP Wide, 12MP Ultrawide, 10MP Tele (3x), 10MP Tele (10x) | 12MP Wide, 12MP Ultrawide, 12MP Tele (2.5x) | 50MP Wide, 48MP Ultrawide, 48MP Tele (5x) | 48MP Wide, 50MP Ultrawide, 8MP Tele (3.3x) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 3687 mAh | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| S Pen Support | Yes | No | No | No |
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G boasted a distinctive contour-cut camera housing and a premium glass-and-metal construction. It felt very solid in the hand and looked quite unique at the time. In contrast, the iPhone 12 Pro Max had its signature flat edges and ceramic shield front, giving it a very sturdy and recognizable feel.
The Mi 11 Ultra stood out with its massive camera bump and a small secondary display on the back, which was definitely a conversation starter. The OnePlus 9 Pro offered a sleek, refined design with a curved display and a generally understated elegance. Each offered a premium feel and distinctive aesthetic.
Performance and Software Experience
Regarding pure processing power, the A14 Bionic performance in the iPhone 12 Pro Max was incredibly strong. That said, the Snapdragon 888 performance and Exynos 2100 chips in the Android flagships were also very capable, handling demanding apps and games with ease.
The S21 Ultra launched with Android and One UI, offering a feature-rich and customizable experience. The iPhone 12 Pro Max ran on iOS, known for its smooth and consistent performance. The Mi 11 Ultra ran Xiaomi MIUI updates on top of Android, and the OnePlus 9 Pro had OxygenOS, a favorite among Android enthusiasts for its clean interface. Each offered a distinct software experience.
Camera Capabilities: A Photo Finish
The S21 Ultra camera specs were truly innovative with its dual telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom. This made it a leader in zoom capabilities in 2021. The Mi 11 Ultra also pushed boundaries with its large 50MP sensor and a very capable periscope zoom lens.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max offered a consistently excellent camera, known for its reliable image processing and video capabilities. The OnePlus 9 Pro, co-developed with Hasselblad, focused on natural color science. It was a truly exciting period for smartphone camera new idea in 2021.
Display and Battery Life
The Galaxy S21 Ultra’s Dynamic AMOLED 2X display was among the best in the business, with its adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and incredible brightness. The iPhone 12 Pro Max featured a beautiful Super Retina XDR OLED, though it stuck to a 60Hz refresh rate.
Both the S21 Ultra and Mi 11 Ultra packed large 5000 mAh battery cells, offering solid endurance. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, despite its smaller battery, was optimized for good daily use thanks to iOS efficiency. The OnePlus 9 Pro also had decent battery life for a flagship.
The S21 Ultra in 2025: A Long-Term Review
It’s 2025 now, and you might be asking, “Is Samsung S21 Ultra still good in 2025?” After four years, this phone has certainly seen a lot. My own experience with an older flagship tells me that how you’ve treated it really makes a difference.
Overall, it remains a highly capable device, especially when considering a well-maintained or refurbished model. The value proposition of older flagships like the S21 Ultra is often exceptional. You can typically find a Refurbished S21 Ultra 2025 for around $200-$300 USD, which is a fraction of its original price. This makes it a really attractive option if you’re on a budget but still want premium features.
Software Support and Security Updates
This is one area where older phones start to show their age. The Samsung S21 Ultra Android updates 2025 officially concluded, with its last major Android version likely being Android 15 and One UI 7. While you might still get some security patches for a little while longer, the consistent updates for new features have stopped.
This means you won’t get the very latest Android features. For most everyday tasks, but, the existing software remains perfectly functional and secure enough for general use. Just be aware that you won’t receive new feature additions.
Performance and Daily Usability
Even in 2025, the Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100 chips inside the S21 Ultra are still very capable. They might not benchmark as high as the very latest processors, but for daily use, they still handle most apps and tasks with ease.
I find that multitasking is still pretty smooth, and common apps like social media, browsing, and even some light gaming run perfectly fine. You might notice a slight slowdown with the absolute most graphically intensive games or very heavy video editing, but for the average user, the S21 Ultra performance 2025 is still very respectable. It’s a testament to how powerful flagship chips were even a few years ago.
Camera System: Still a Contender?
The S21 Ultra camera review 2025 still holds up surprisingly well. The main 108MP sensor captures great detail in good lighting. And honestly, that 10x optical zoom is still a fantastic feature that many newer phones, even flagships, struggle to match. Being able to zoom in that much without losing quality is genuinely useful.
Low-light photography has improved significantly in newer phones, but the S21 Ultra with its OIS can still produce decent shots in dimmer conditions. It might not be leading the pack anymore, but it’s far from obsolete. You can still capture some really impressive photos.
Display Quality and Battery Longevity
The S21 Ultra display 2025 remains a true highlight. That Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel is still vibrant, sharp, and bright. The 120Hz refresh rate continues to make everything feel incredibly smooth. It’s truly a joy to look at, even compared to newer displays.
Battery life, but, is where you might see the most wear and tear. A four-year-old battery will naturally degrade. Expect reduced screen-on time compared to when it was new. If you’re buying a refurbished phone, the battery might have been replaced, which is a big plus. Otherwise, factor in potential battery replacement costs or carrying a power bank.
Is the S21 Ultra Still a Smart Buy in 2025?
If you’re looking for a premium smartphone experience without spending a fortune, the S21 Ultra refurbished price 2025 makes it very tempting. For around $200-$300 USD, you’re getting a lot of phone for your money. It’s a strong option for an older flagship vs new mid-range debate.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons to help you decide if buying an S21 Ultra in 2025 is right for you. It really comes down to what you prioritize in a phone.
| Pros of Buying S21 Ultra in 2025 | Cons of Buying S21 Ultra in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Excellent Camera (especially zoom) | Limited major software updates |
| Stunning Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display | Battery degradation likely (unless replaced) |
| Still powerful Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100 performance | Eventual end of security patches |
| Premium build quality and design | No longer the absolute fastest phone |
| S Pen support adds versatility | Potentially fewer new accessory options |
| Very affordable on the refurbished market | Future-proofing for new tech might be limited |
For its S21 Ultra value for money, it’s hard to beat if you want a premium camera and display without the flagship price tag. Just be aware of the software update situation and potential battery life.
Beyond the S21 Ultra: How Rivals Aged by 2025
It’s interesting to see how the S21 Ultra’s contemporaries have fared by 2025. The iPhone 12 Pro Max in 2025 is still receiving iOS updates, with iOS 26 likely running on it by now. Apple’s long-term software support is legendary, making older iPhones a solid bet for longevity. Its camera and performance are still very good.
The Mi 11 Ultra long term review 2025 tells a slightly different story. While it had innovative camera hardware, Xiaomi’s software update policy isn’t as long-term as Samsung’s or Apple’s. It’s likely running an older version of Android 14 by now, and official support for major updates would have ceased. Its camera still holds up, but the software experience might feel a bit dated.
Common Questions About the S21 Ultra & MWC Awards
What was the main reason the S21 Ultra won “Best Phone” at MWC 2021?
The Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G won the MWC Best Phone award due to its incredible overall package. It combined a superb display, versatile camera system, powerful performance, and S Pen support, setting a high bar for new idea and user experience in 2021.
Does the S21 Ultra still get software updates in 2025?
While it receives ongoing security patches for a bit longer, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has likely received its last major Android version update (One UI 7 based on Android 15). It will not receive new feature updates like the latest phones.
Is the S Pen supported on all S21 Ultra models?
Yes, all Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G models support the S Pen. But, it doesn’t come included with the phone, and there’s no built-in slot for it. You need to purchase the S Pen separately, often with a compatible case.
Is the S21 Ultra 5G compatible with modern 5G networks in 2025?
Yes, the S21 Ultra 5G compatibility 2025 is still very good. It supports a wide range of 5G bands, so it should work perfectly fine on most 5G networks around the world.
Conclusion: A Flagship That Defined an Era
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G solidified its place in smartphone history. Winning the “Best Smartphone” award at MWC 2021 was a huge achievement, reflecting its powerful features and innovative design at the time. It truly showed what a high-end Android phone could do.
Even in 2025, the S21 Ultra’s legacy is clear. Its display is still fantastic, the camera with its zoom capabilities remains impressive, and the performance is more than adequate for most people. If you’re after a premium experience on a budget, a refurbished Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a fantastic deal. It truly was a flagship that defined an era.
