Samsung has brought forward its first flagship smartphones for the year and is already selling a trio of new devices: the Galaxy S21, the Galaxy S21+, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is unsurprisingly the crown jewel in Samsung's 2021 line-up, featuring the most cameras, the largest display, the biggest battery, and S Pen support.
Popular Galaxy S21 Ultra plans (128GB)
This page focuses on the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but you can find more about other Galaxy S21 devices here:
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Quick Links
- Galaxy S21 Ultra Plans
- Galaxy S21 Ultra Price in Australia
- Galaxy S21 Ultra Design
- Galaxy S21 Ultra Camera
- Galaxy S21 Ultra Colours
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Plans
Outright Pricing: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is understandably the most expensive device in the Galaxy S21 family, but it's also a little cheaper than last year's Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Here's the complete outright pricing the for Galaxy S21 range:
- Samsung Galaxy S21 (128GB): $1,249
- Samsung Galaxy S21 (256GB): $1,349
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ (128GB): $1,549
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ (256GB): $1,649
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (128GB): $1,849
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (256GB): $1,949
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (512GB): $2,149
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Design
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is once again the largest device in Samsung's flagship range, but a little smaller than last year's model. The display measures in at 6.8-inches, which makes it 0.1-inches smaller than the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Given the sheer size of the Galaxy S20 Ultra, we think this is for the best.
From the front, the Galaxy S21 Ultra looks pretty similar to the Galaxy S20 Ultra. There are however changes on the back. The camera bump now spills over the edge of the phone and feature a curved corner, marking a shift from the more squared-off floating camera bumps in the S20 family.
Notably, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the most premium of Samsung's new phones when it comes to design. It's the only phone in the S21 range that that still has a curved display, and it's the only phone that has a Quad HD resolution screen.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra supports an S Pen stylus, but it's an optional $59 purchase. There also won't be anywhere to stow it within the body of the phone, but Samsung has at least two cases with a stylus slot. If you grab one of these, they'll come with an S Pen.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Camera
Samsung is throwing a whole lot of cameras at the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which features a 108MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 10MP 3x telephoto lens, and 10MP 10x telephoto lens. This will make it one of the first phones with two telephoto lens, alongside the Huawei P40 Pro+.
For comparison, The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ have have similar camera configurations to last year's models: a 12MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 64MP 3x telephoto lens. Samsung has ditched the Time of Flight sensor this time around.
We'll certainly be curious to see how the Galaxy S21 Ultra camera performs in person, given that last year's model was marred by focusing issues.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Battery Life
The Galaxy S21 Ultra has the same kind of battery as last year's model: 5,000mAh. For comparison, the S21 and S21+ feature to have 4,000mAh and 4,800mAh batteries, respectively.
This could mean battery performance for the Galaxy S21 Ultra could be pretty similar to the Galaxy S20 Ultra, but the new processor could help with efficiencies, especially when it comes to 5G. We're hoping so, given the Galaxy S20 Ultra struggled to get through an entire day in our testing.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Processor
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is powered by Samsung's Exynos 2100 processor. One of the biggest changes with this processor is 5G is part of the chip, rather than a separate modem component. We're hoping this will help with battery life.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Colours
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is available in Phantom Black and Phantom Silver from most retailers. In addition, Samsung offers Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, and Phantom Brown variants exclusively through its online store.
Why Phantom? We honestly have no idea. Will they be hauntingly beautiful? Do they come with some sort of curse? Do you get your free choice of topping? We'll find out in soon, I guess.
Samsung Galaxy S21 specifications
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy S21+ | Galaxy S21 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.2-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED | 6.8-inch OLED |
| Resolution | 1080p+ | 1080p+ | Quad HD |
| Rear Cameras | 12MP + 64MP + 12MP | 12MP + 64MP + 12MP | 108MP + 10MP + 10MP + 12MP |
| Front Camera | 10MP | 10MP | 40MP |
| Processor | Exynos 2100 | Exynos 2100 | Exynos 2100 |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | 12GB or 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB |
| Battery | 4,000mAh | 4,800mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Water-Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Back | Plastic | Glass | Glass |
| 5G | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | From $1,249 | From $1,549 | From $1,849 |
Choosing a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra plan
With the WhistleOut search tool, you'll be able to compare Galaxy S21 Ultra pricing and inclusions across every provider. But there's a lot more to plans than just cost and data. Here's a break-down of the major benefits you can expect each provider to offer.
Telstra Galaxy plans are often the priciest on the Australian market, but they do come with a host of perks. These include:
- Access to Telstra's super-fast 4GX network
- Data-free access to Apple Music
- Free access to AFL, AFLW, NRL, Netball and Football live apps
- Free access to Telstra Air Wi-Fi hotspots across Australia
- Free access to Fon public Wi-Fi hotspots overseas
- Access to the Telstra Plus perks and rewards program
Telstra lets you pay your Galaxy off over 12 or 24 months, and all plans are free from excess data charges. If you go over your cap, your data will simply be slowed to speeds of 1.5Mbps, which is still fast enough to stream video in SD. But speeds may be slower during peak times.
Compare Telstra Samsung Galaxy plans
Optus Galaxy plans come with solid data inclusions and entertainment extras. Most Optus Galaxy plans includes:
- Free access to Optus Sport
- Discounted movie tickets for Hoyts cinemas through the Optus Perks program
You'll miss out on Optus Sport if you go for Optus' cheapest plan.
Higher-end Optus Samsung plans also come with unlimited international calls to selected destinations included with the plan, as well as a monthly allocation of roaming data for use overseas.
All Optus plans are contract-free, devices can be paid off across 12, 24, or 36 months, and you can customise inclusions like roaming and international calls on a month-to-month basis.
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Vodafone Galaxy plans may not come with the kinds of freebies and perks you can get from Optus or Telstra, but they do offer a lot of flexibility. Like Telstra and Optus plans, Vodafone plans are contract-free on the basis that you can leave at any time without penalty. You'll just need to pay out the remaining value of your handset.
You can also step up or down in plan inclusions up to once per month, and ease the burden of ever-rising phone prices by paying off your handset over 12, 24 or 36 months. You'll pay the same overall for your Galaxy no matter which option you pick.
You'll also get access to Vodafone's famous $5 roaming, which is still easily the best way to travel with your Australian phone number.
Vodafone plans all include unlimited data at capped speeds for after you go over your allowance. Speeds start at 2Mbps for cheaper plans, but go as high as 25Mbps for those spending top dollar.
Compare Vodafone Samsung Galaxy plans
Woolworths Galaxy plans may not come from a big name telco, but there are other perks.
Customers have the flexibility to switch between plans, you'll just need to pay out the remainder of your phone if you would like to leave.
Woolworths also offers up to 200GB Data Banking for your excess data. Anything of your data allowance that you don't use will roll over to the next month. You can have up to 200GB of data in your data bank at any time.
Woolworths Mobile customers can also get 10% off their Woolworths grocery shop shop once per month.
Woolworths Mobile is powered by the Telstra network, but at present, does not have access to 5G.
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