Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 3,515,964 | 900,997 | +290.2% |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Exynos 2100 | — |
| Display | 6.9" 120 Hz | 6.4" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 5,200 | 4,500 | +15.6% |
| Rear cameras | 200+50+50+50 MP | 12+8+12 MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 24 | 32 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 16 GB / 256 GB | 6 GB / 128 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 24 GB / 1024 GB | 8 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 215 | 177 | +21.5% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · Under-display | 5G · Under-display | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,349–$1,649 | $699–$779 | +93.0% |
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 290% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Exynos 2100).
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: Galaxy S26 Ultra or Galaxy S21 FE 5G?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantages
- Raw performance (+74%)
- Battery capacity (+13%)
- Camera resolution (+94%)
- Memory (+63%)
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G advantages
- Lightness (+18%)
- Affordability (+48%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
Value for money
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: which should you choose?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — Samsung Android 16 smartphone (2026) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 5200 mAh battery and 200MP main camera, scoring about 3,515,964 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,349.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G — Samsung Android 12 smartphone (2022) with a 6.4-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Exynos 2100, 4500 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 900,997 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $699.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the faster phone. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 290% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Exynos 2100). Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the faster device on raw benchmarks (3,515,964 vs 900,997 on AnTuTu v10), running the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 against the Exynos 2100. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra carries a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X against a 6.4-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Batteries are 5,200 and 4,500 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 200+50+50+50 MP versus 12+8+12 MP, with 24 MP and 32 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 16 GB / 256 GB and 6 GB / 128 GB. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the more affordable at about $699 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better than the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the overall edge, though Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G wins in specific areas worth weighing. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 290% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Exynos 2100).
What is the main difference between the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 290% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Exynos 2100). Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.