A big phone, with even bigger savings

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra camera packs a punch with new iPhone 12 stomping tech | T3
Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

Usually when Samsung introduces a new flagship phone, its reps will talk my ear off about the technology and quality of its new, big screen. This year, the company simply pointed out that it supports an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz at its native 3200 x 1440 resolution and left it at that.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra follows on from a few hits and misses from Samsung in recent years. The Galaxy S20 series was a touch on the uninspired side, and while the Note line is an excellent option for on-the-go artists and doodlers, the Note 12 Ultra wasn’t quite perfect. Despite being one of the best-looking smartphones of all time, outside the US, it sported inferior internals and got a bit toasty.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: Design and screen

Galaxy S21 Plus specs vs. S21 Ultra vs. S20 Plus vs. S20 Ultra: Samsung S phones compared - CNET
 The biggest and best design difference from the S20

Depending on where you buy the S21 Ultra, you’ll have different color options. Samsung.com exclusives include Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy and Phantom Brown. Meanwhile, Phantom Black and Phantom Silver are the widely available color choices. 

If you’re tossing up between an iPhone 12 Pro Max or a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and photo quality is the only consideration. There isn’t a huge amount in it, with each bettering the other at different things. Samsung’s look is poppy and Instagram-ready, however, in challenging scenes, processing can be heavy-handed so shots lack nuance.

Here's what every camera on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra does
108-megapixel sensor

Apple’s photo style looks more natural, and generally, the iPhone edges ahead when it comes to quality as far as our tastes go, but factor in the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s zoom, an extensive range of shooting modes and customizable camera UI, and as a package, it’s at least neck and neck.

Pre-orders

If you’re going big this week, Samsung itself are offering nifty bonuses for early adaptors right now so there’s plenty to check out, but remember, you’ve got until January 29th to pre-order. (Cost UGX 3,500,000)