Samsung S21 Ultra Camera in 2026: What Still Holds Up

Samsung first presented the Galaxy S21 Ultra back in January 2021, introducing the first-ever Ultra model equipped with both a 3x and a 10x telephoto camera.

While the S21 Ultra can now be picked up for a reasonable price on the second-hand market, numerous claims made about its camera are either outdated or incorrect.

Here, we revisit the most common statements made about the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s camera and evaluate them against the information provided on Samsung’s website and GSMArena’s spec sheet as well as in reviews published around the time of the phone’s release.

S21 Ultra camera hardware

The Exynos 2100 powers the phone in most markets, with a Snapdragon 888 in the US and China. The main camera is served by Samsung’s own 108MP ISOCELL HM3 sensor. As explained in GSMArena’s review, this sensor uses pixel binning (combining nine pixels into one) to produce 12MP images in most situations, but you can also call on the full 108MP sensor when you want to. There’s also a laser autofocus sensor.

Five claims about the S21 Ultra, checked

It does run Expert RAW

Expert RAW version 2.0.09.1, available starting with the April 2023 security update, adds support for Astrophoto. Contrary to what some guides (including an older revision of this one) claim, Expert RAW didn't debut on the S22 Ultra. The first phone to support Expert RAW was actually the S21 Ultra, as Samsung let users shoot 16-bit linear DNG files from all four rear cameras with it back on 24 November 2021, according to GSMArena. Our Expert RAW guide covers the setup.

Its 10x lens differs from the S22 and S23 Ultra's

It’s tempting to think that the identical 10MP f/4.9 periscope telephoto setups on all three phones (which offer 10x optical zoom) mean that Samsung used the same camera module, but according to GSMArena’s spec sheet that’s not the case. The S21 Ultra’s periscope camera pairs a 240mm lens with a 1/3.24-inch sensor with 1.22µm pixels, while the S22 Ultra and S23 Ultra use a 230mm lens mated to a 1/3.52-inch sensor with 1.12µm pixels. Which setup is superior isn’t clear based on specs alone, so treat them as similar-but-not-quite-identical 10MP f/4.9 periscope zoom cameras.

The 108MP mode needs good light and some editing

More pixels don’t necessarily translate into finer details. According to GSMArena, full-resolution images look a bit too soft and have noticeable noise levels when viewed straight off the camera. Ironically, downscaling 108MP pictures to 12MP actually yields better details and texture rendering as compared to pictures shot directly using the 12MP mode. So if you really want to squeeze every bit of resolution that the sensor can deliver, use the 108MP mode whenever lighting conditions permit and scale images down using your favourite photo editor afterwards. Our 12MP vs 50MP vs 200MP guide explains how binning works on newer models.

Software updates have ended

In February 2022, Samsung promised four Android upgrades and security updates for up to five years on its Galaxy S21 Ultra, and kept its word.

After receiving One UI 7 (Android 15) as its final major software upgrade, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, along with the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+, was removed from Samsung’s list of supported devices after receiving its last security update in November 2025, according to a post on SamMobile in February 2026. As of checking on 4 November 2026, the Galaxy S21 Ultra was not listed on Samsung’s security updates page.

Galaxy AI editing barely reached it

The S22 and S23 were added to the list of devices receiving the Generative Edit feature with the One UI 6.1 update, while the S21 series wasn’t included in that update list. Samsung Mexico did, however, confirm in May 2024 that Circle to Search will make its way to the S21 line. The older Object Eraser in Gallery still works, and our Object Eraser and Photo Assist guide explains how it differs from the generative tools on newer phones.

What reviewers found in 2021

GSMArena’s review (published on 25 January 2021) found 12MP photos taken with the main camera to be excellent, albeit a bit over-sharpened, and praised Samsung for nailing colours (which is not often the case). Pictures taken with the ultrawide camera were deemed good, but over-processed, especially with respect to fine detail which appears to be lost.

Pictures taken with the 10x telephoto zoom looked impressive at first glance, but GSMArena spotted artefacts around foliage and moving people when zooming in.

Low-light photos taken in Photo mode with the main camera produced an average amount of detail with quite a bit of noise and highlights that were often clipped. Switching to Night mode produced much better images though and won GSMArena over.

DXOMARK tested the Snapdragon model back in April 2021 and liked the accurate exposure and vibrant colours, but took issue with noise in low light and occasional autofocus problems.

Android Authority found that the 3x camera produced slightly sharper pictures than the 10x one.

Settings that suit the S21 Ultra now

Bear in mind these are suggestions based on the cameras as seen by the reviewers, so they’ll emphasise the good and avoid known weaknesses. Alter one setting at a time and view on a larger screen if possible.

When GSMArena tested the phone, Pro mode allowed for manual controls with the main and ultrawide cameras, but not the telephoto cameras. If you want to shoot using manual shutter speed and ISO on the 3x and 10x cameras, you’ll have to use Expert RAW. Samsung has also said Scene Optimizer has recognised the moon since the S21 series, and our moon photography guide covers that mode. For manual control on the main camera, the Pro mode guide still applies.

Who should still buy one used

If you’re looking for a budget option and want an optical 10x zoom camera for wildlife/sports shooting in good lighting, or you want a second phone that’s mostly connected via Wi-Fi and will be used primarily as a camera, the S21 Ultra can still make sense. But if it’ll be your only phone, missing out on security patches is a bigger deal than the camera.

For not much more, the S22 Ultra still gets quarterly security patches and has Galaxy AI editing, and the S23 Ultra adds a 200MP main camera with monthly updates. Our Galaxy Ultra ranking puts all six generations side by side.