Samsung Galaxy S Ultra Guide: S21 Ultra to S24 Ultra

Samsung's Ultra phones sit at the top of the Galaxy S line. They combine very large screens, long-range zoom cameras and, from the S22 Ultra onward, a built-in S Pen. Older Ultras are especially interesting in Kenya because used prices fall quickly and the hardware remains excellent.

Galaxy S21 Ultra

Launched in 2021, the S21 Ultra has a 6.8-inch curved AMOLED screen with up to 120Hz refresh, a 108MP main camera and two telephoto lenses: 3x and 10x. It supports the S Pen, but you must buy the pen separately and it has no slot inside the phone. It is an impressive camera phone even today, though its chip runs hotter than later models. Exynos versions, sold in Europe and the UK, have a different chip from US units.

Galaxy S22 Ultra

This model brought the Note line's design into the S series, with a squared body and a built-in S Pen slot. It keeps the 108MP main camera and 3x and 10x telephotos. For anyone coming from a Note, this is the natural replacement. Read our S Pen guide for what the pen does in practice.

Galaxy S23 Ultra

The S23 Ultra uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip for Galaxy globally, which greatly improved efficiency and battery life. It introduced a 200MP main camera. Many reviewers considered its battery endurance one of its biggest strengths. If you are choosing between the S22 and S23 Ultra and the price gap is reasonable, the S23 Ultra is usually the better long-term choice.

Galaxy S24 Ultra

The S24 Ultra has a titanium frame, a flatter screen and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. It replaced the 10x lens with a 5x telephoto using a 50MP sensor. Samsung also promised seven years of operating system updates for this phone, which is a major advantage when buying used. It launched with Galaxy AI features.

How to choose

• Choose the S21 Ultra to get strong zoom at the lowest cost.
• Choose the S22 Ultra if you want a built-in pen and do not need the very best battery life.
• Choose the S23 Ultra for the best overall value in many cases.
• Choose the S24 Ultra for the longest software life.

What to check when buying Ex-UK

Curved screens on some models are more easily damaged and more expensive to replace, so inspect the edges carefully. Look for burn-in by opening a plain grey image. Test the S Pen, if there is one, along with every camera lens, since long-zoom modules are delicate. Our guide to Ex-UK versus brand-new phones explains how we think about condition.

Ultras are large, heavy phones. If you would prefer something easier to hold, see the standard Galaxy S and FE models. If a stylus is your main reason for looking, also consider the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

Charging

Samsung's Ultra phones charge best with a USB-C PD charger that supports PPS. The chargers on our GaN charger guide cover the options, and it is worth having one, since many new Samsung phones do not include a charger.