This MKBHD video reviews the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, arguing it is a great phone due to numerous subtle, user-focused improvements rather than just its specifications. The review highlights the "Phantom Black" matte design for its aesthetics and fingerprint resistance. Key upgrades include the display, which now supports 1440p resolution at a 120Hz variable refresh rate, and a significantly larger, more reliable in-display fingerprint sensor. Software refinements in One UI 3, notably the addition of the Google Discover feed, are praised. The camera system, featuring dual telephoto lenses (3x and 10x), is noted for major improvements in user experience, such as a more stable 100x zoom, reliable autofocus, and a high-quality macro mode that uses the ultrawide lens. MKBHD concludes that the phone addresses nearly all of his previous criticisms, resulting in a refined and highly impressive flagship.
A Near-Perfect Flagship: MKBHD's S21 Ultra Review
0:50 Matte Black Design: The "Phantom Black" matte finish is a major highlight, praised for its clean look and excellent resistance to fingerprints. The integrated camera module design is also seen as a significant aesthetic improvement.
2:23 Beyond the Spec Sheet: MKBHD argues that the phone's greatness comes from many small, intangible improvements that refine the user experience, making it feel like a device tailored to his specific preferences.
3:11 Advanced Display: The screen is a major upgrade, now capable of running at full 1440p resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate simultaneously. It also features a higher peak brightness (1500 nits) and a flatter curve than previous models.
4:30 Improved Fingerprint Sensor: The new in-display fingerprint sensor is 1.77 times larger, making it much more reliable and less frustrating to use, a welcome improvement in an era of mask-wearing.
5:28 Refined Software: One UI 3 brings a cleaner aesthetic and, most notably, adds the option for the Google Discover feed to the left of the homescreen, a feature MKBHD has long advocated for.
7:06 Worry-Free Battery: The 5,000 mAh battery, combined with the efficient Snapdragon 888 chip and adaptive display, provides excellent, all-day battery life that doesn't require active management.
8:29 Better Camera Experience: The focus is on the improved user experience rather than a dramatic leap in image quality. Key changes include a "Natural" selfie option, a far more stable 100x zoom with subject lock, and laser autofocus that fixes the S20 Ultra's focus-hunting issues.
10:20 High-Quality Macro Mode: The phone intelligently uses its high-quality ultrawide camera for macro photography, eliminating the need for a separate, lower-quality macro lens.
11:09 Dual Telephoto System: The S21 Ultra uses two separate telephoto lenses, a 3x and a 10x, to provide high-quality optical zoom across a much wider range, producing some of the best 10x to 30x zoom photos on any smartphone.
12:44 The Verdict: MKBHD concludes this is a fantastic phone and "the best they've ever done," as it successfully fixes the flaws of its predecessor and aligns almost perfectly with the improvements he would have made himself.