Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Phantom Black 128GB

The Galaxy S21 Ultra still has one of the best camera systems you can buy, with a 108MP main sensor and 10x optical zoom that ranks in the 98th percentile. Prices range from USD 285 to USD 1,200, and the value is only there at the low end. Reliability is a real concern, with multiple users reporting motherboard failures and USB port wear. Buy it cheap for the camera, skip it if you need a dependable daily driver.

The Snapdragon 888 with 12GB of RAM handles everyday stuff without breaking a sweat. App switching is smooth, the 120Hz display makes everything feel responsive, and users in our review data consistently mention the speed as a highlight. One reviewer upgrading from a Galaxy S6 called it a "fast and modern system," which is about as big a generational leap as you can get. The performance percentile sits at 72nd, which is solid but not spectacular by today's standards. You'll notice it in heavy gaming or sustained workloads, where newer chips pull ahead.

The battery story is more interesting. The 5000mAh cell ranks in the 85th percentile for battery life, which is well above average. Users report the battery holds up even with demanding apps, and the 25W wired charging gets you topped up quickly. But there's a catch: Samsung doesn't include a charger in the box, and multiple buyers mention this as an annoyance. You'll need to buy one separately, which feels like a small tax on an already aging device. The wireless charging is there if you want it, but it's slower than the wired option.

Against the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the S21 Ultra wins on zoom versatility. The 10x optical zoom is something Apple still doesn't match, and the 108MP sensor gives you more cropping flexibility. But the iPhone has a newer processor, better video stabilization, and a software update timeline that'll keep it relevant for years. The S21 Ultra is already near the end of its major update cycle, which matters if you plan to keep the phone for a while.

The Google Pixel G4QUR is the more interesting comparison for camera buyers. Google's computational photography is still the best in the business for point-and-shoot shots, but the S21 Ultra's hardware gives you more raw capability, especially at distance. The OnePlus 15 offers better performance per dollar with a newer chip, but its camera can't touch the S21 Ultra's zoom range. And the Motorola Razr and Nothing Phone (4a) Pro are playing a completely different game, focusing on form factor and design over raw camera specs.

Here's where things get tricky. The price spread on this phone is wild. We're seeing USD 285 to USD 1,200 across four US listings, and that's for the same 128GB unlocked model. Newegg has the best deal at the low end, and at USD 285, this is an absurd amount of camera hardware for the money. You're getting a 108MP main sensor, 10x optical zoom, and 8K video recording for less than a Pixel 8a. That's genuinely compelling if you can find it at that price.

But at USD 1,200, you're in iPhone 16 Pro Max territory, and that's a completely different conversation. The iPhone has a newer chip, better long-term software support, and none of the reliability concerns that show up in the S21 Ultra's user reviews. The value here is entirely dependent on finding a listing at the lower end of that range. If you're paying more than USD 500 for this phone in 2025, you should probably look elsewhere.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of those phones that still gets brought up in conversations about camera hardware, even years after launch. Samsung threw everything at this thing: a 108MP main sensor, two telephoto lenses with 3x and 10x optical zoom, and a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED panel running at 120Hz with the full 3200 x 1440 resolution. On paper, it's a spec monster. In our database, the camera sits in the 98th percentile for its category, which means it's still near the top of the charts for photography-focused buyers.

But here's the thing. This is a 2021 flagship being sold in 2025, and the price spread tells a weird story. We're seeing listings from USD 285 all the way up to USD 1,200 for what's essentially the same unlocked 128GB model. That's a massive gap, and it changes the value equation completely depending on where you shop. At the low end, you're getting a former flagship with a genuinely great camera for less than most mid-range phones. At the high end, you're paying iPhone 16 Pro Max money for hardware that's four generations old.

Who is this for? Honestly, it's for people who care more about camera versatility than having the latest chip. The Snapdragon 888 is no slouch for daily tasks, but it's not going to win any benchmark races in 2025. If you're a photographer on a budget, or someone who wants a big screen and doesn't mind carrying a heavy phone, the S21 Ultra still makes a case for itself. Just know what you're getting into with reliability, because that's where the user feedback gets concerning.

Skip this phone if you need something that'll last you three or four years without issues. The motherboard failure reports are not isolated, and the USB port durability is a genuine weak spot. If reliability is your top priority, look at a Pixel or iPhone instead. You should also skip it if you need eSIM support on a US model, or if you can't live without a headphone jack and expandable storage. Those omissions are baked into the hardware and there's no workaround.

If you're paying more than USD 500, skip it. At that price, you can get a newer phone with a better processor, longer software support, and none of the aging hardware concerns. The S21 Ultra only makes sense as a budget camera phone, not as a premium purchase.

If you can find the S21 Ultra at the low end of that USD 285 to USD 1,200 range, and you're primarily buying it for the camera, it's still a compelling option. The 108MP sensor, dual telephoto setup, and 8K video recording give you capabilities that most mid-range phones in 2025 simply don't have. The 120Hz WQHD+ display is also a nice bonus that holds up well against current flagships.

But if you're paying more than USD 500, or if you need a phone that'll last you three or four years without issues, the reliability concerns are hard to ignore. Multiple users report motherboard failures within months, and the USB port durability is a genuine problem. For most people, a newer mid-range phone with a solid camera and better long-term support is the safer bet. The S21 Ultra is a great camera that happens to be a phone, and you should buy it with that mindset.