Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

Phone Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare sizes, functions, but also other key features of both phones and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the phone that best fits your needs and expectations.

Phone Specifications Comparison

Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Product Type Smartphone Smartphone
Manufacturer Model Number SM-N960U1 SM-G998B/DS
Form Factor Touch Touch
Height 161.9 mm 161.5 mm Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked has greater height than Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Width 76.4 mm 75.6 mm Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked has greater width than Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Depth 8.8 mm 8.9 mm Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked is narrower than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Weight 201 g 227 g Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked is lighter than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Body Colour Ocean blue Phantom silver | Phantom black | Phantom navy | Phantom brown | Phantom titanium
Protection Dustproof, splashproof, waterproof Dustproof, splashproof, water-resistant
Waterproof (Water-resistant) Yes Yes Both phones are waterproof.
IP rating IP68 IP68
SAR Value 1.59 W/kg (simultaneous), 1.39 W/kg (wireless router), 1.03 W/kg (body), 1.29 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body), 0.714 W/kg (head), 2.56 W/kg (limb)
Integrated Components Heart rate sensor -
Connector Type USB Type-C - 24 pin USB-C
Headset jack - mini-phone 3.5mm
USB Type-C - 24 pin USB-C
SIM Card Type (Size) Nano SIM Nano SIM, Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
SIM Card Qty Single-SIM Dual-SIM
DISPLAY Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Display Type OLED display OLED display
Display Technology Quad HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Screen Size (Display Size) 6.4" 6.8" Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has larger screen size than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Screen Resolution (Display Resolution) 2960 x 1440 pixels 3200 x 1440 pixels Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has better screen resolution than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Display Format QHD+ QHD+
Pixel Density 516 ppi 515 ppi Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked has better pixel density than Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Colour Depth 16.7 million colours 16.7 million colours Both phones have the same color depth.
HDR - Yes Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has HDR.
HDR Technology - HDR10+
Display Enhancement Technology - Eye Comfort Shield
Display Refresh Rate - 120 Hz
Display Features Always-on display, Edge Screen, Infinity Display, Edge-to-Edge screen Edge Screen, AOD(Always On Display)
Display Protection (Screen Protector) - Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (scratch resistant glass)
PROCESSOR Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Processor Type (CPU) Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Samsung Exynos 2100
Clock Speed 2.8 GHz 2.9 GHz Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has higher clock speed than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Processor Core Qty 8-core 8-core Both phones have the same number of phone cores.
64-bit Architecture Yes - Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked has 64-bit architecture.
Graphics System (GPU) Qualcomm ADRENO 630 Mali-G78 MP14
MEMORY Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
RAM LPDDR4 SDRAM - 8 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM - 12 GB Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has more RAM than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Internal Memory Size (Storage Capacity) 512 GB 128 GB Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked has more internal memory than Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
User Memory 463.4 GB 101.7 GB
Supported Flash Memory Cards (Expandable Memory) microSDHC, microSDXC - up to 512 GB -
CAMERA Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
MAIN CAMERA
Number of Main Cameras 2 4
Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixel 12 Megapixel Both phones have the same camera resolution.
Sensor Size 1/2.55" -
Lens Type Wide-angle lens Ultra wide-angle lens
Lens Aperture F/1.5 & f/2.4 F/2.2 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked has better lens aperture than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Field of View (FoV) - 120 degree(s)
Pixel Size - 1.4 μm
Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Dual OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Both phones have optical image stabilization.
Focus Adjustment Automatic Automatic
Laser Auto Focus - Yes
Optical Zoom 2x 3x Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has better optical zoom than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Digital Zoom 10x 100x Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has better digital zoom than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Self-Timer Delay - Yes
Special Effects HDR, Bokeh effect, Grid Line Face retouch, Grid Line
HDR Mode - Auto HDR mode
Camera Modes Panorama, Pro mode, Timer mode, HYPERLAPSE, Auto mode, Food mode, Super Slow-mo, AR Emoji, Portraits, Flowers, Indoor scenes, Animals, Landscapes, Greenery, Trees, Sky, Mountains, Beaches, Sunrises and sunsets, Watersides, Street scenes, Night scenes, Waterfalls, Snow, Birds, Backlit, Text, Disney AR Emoji Panorama, Slow motion mode, Pro mode, HYPERLAPSE, Super Slow-mo, Flowers, Greenery, Trees, Sky, Beaches, Watersides, Snow, Backlit, Text, Food, Face, Baby, Person, Dog, Cat, People, Sunset, Sunrise, City, Waterfall, Scenery, Stage, Vehicles, Drinks, Animal, Shoes, Indoor, Clothes, Night view, Night, Motion Photo, Mountain, Single Take, Pro Video, Director's View
Face Recognition (Face ID) Face detection - Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked has face detection.
Light Source LED flash High CRI LED flash
Video Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 30 fps, 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 60 fps, 1280 x 720 (720p) at 30 fps, 3840 x 2160 (4K) at 30 fps, 3840 x 2160 (4K) at 60 fps, Super slow motion video 1280 x 720 (720p) at 960 fps, Slo-mo video 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 240 fps, 2560 x 1440 (QHD) at 30 fps 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 60 fps, 1280 x 720 (720p) at 30 fps, 3840 x 2160 (4K) at 60 fps, Super slow motion video 1280 x 720 (720p) at 960 fps, Slo-mo video 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 240 fps, 7680 x 4320 (UHD 8K) at 24fps, Hyperlapse 4K video support at 30 fps, Super Steady 1080p video support at 60 fps
Camera Features (Functions) Quick Launch, Playback zoom, Motion photo, VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilisation), Live Focus, Dual Capture, High CRI LED flash, Tracking AF, Video location tags, Stamps, location tags, Continuous autofocus video, Hyperlapse video support 1080p, Live focus with bokeh filters, Super Speed Dual Pixel, background blur, Scene Optimiser, Eye blink, Motion blur, Lens smudge, Backlit, Full view, Flaw detection, 9.1MP still photos recording 4K video Playback zoom, blink detection, VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilisation), Tracking AF, Video location tags, Scene Optimiser, Flaw detection, Shot suggestions, blur detection, HDR10+ recording, Super steady, Quick Measure, Zoom-In Mic, Space Zoom, Take 33MP still photos while playing 8K video, Hybrid Optic Zoom 3x, Super Resolution Zoom up to 30x, Digital zoom up to 12x for video
SECOND CAMERA
Sensor Resolution (2nd Camera) 12 Megapixel 108 Megapixel Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has better second camera resolution than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Sensor Size (2nd Camera) 1/3.4" 1/1.33" Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked has better second camera sensor size than Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.
Lens Type (2nd Camera) Telephoto lens Wide-angle lens
Lens Aperture (2nd Camera) F/2.4 F/1.8 Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has better second camera lens aperture than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Field of View (2nd Camera) - 83 degree(s)
Pixel Size (2nd Camera) - 0.8 μm
Camera Features (2nd Camera) - Phase Detect Auto-Focus (PDAF), OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation)
THIRD CAMERA
Sensor Resolution (3rd Camera) - 10 Megapixel
Lens Type (3rd Camera) - Telephoto lens
Lens Aperture (3rd Camera) - F/2.4
Field of View (3rd Camera) - 35 degree(s)
Pixel Size (3rd Camera) - 1.22 μm
Camera Features (3rd Camera) - Dual Pixel AF
FOURTH CAMERA
Sensor Resolution (4th Camera) - 10 Megapixel
Lens Type (4th Camera) - Telephoto lens
Lens Aperture (4th Camera) - F/4.9
Field of View (4th Camera) - 10 degree(s)
Pixel Size (4th Camera) - 1.22 μm
Camera Features (4th Camera) - Dual Pixel AF
FRONT CAMERA
Number of Front Cameras 1 1
Sensor Resolution (Front) 8 Megapixel 40 Megapixels Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has better front camera resolution than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Sensor Size (Front) 1/3.6" -
Lens Type (Front) Wide-angle lens -
Lens Aperture (Front) F/1.7 F/2.2 Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked has better front lens aperture than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Field of View (Front) - 80 degree(s)
Pixel Size (Front) - 0.7 μm
Focus Adjustment Automatic Automatic
Special Effects (Front) HDR, Grid Line -
Camera Modes (Front) Timer mode, wide selfie mode, selfie mode, AR Emoji, selfie focus -
Camera Features (Front) Quick launch, Motion photo, Stamps, location tags, VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization), Full view, Flaw detection Phase Detect Auto-Focus (PDAF)
BATTERY AND CHARGING Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Battery Capacity (Battery Size) 4000 mAh 5000 mAh Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has larger battery capacity than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Fast Charging Technology - Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, Adaptive Fast Charging, Samsung Super Fast Charging, Power Delivery 3.0 Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has fast charging technology.
Wireless Charging Yes Yes Both phones can be charged wirelessly.
Wireless Charging Standards WPC, PMA WPC, Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare
Talk Time 2280 minutes 2460 minutes Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has longer battery life when making calls than Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked.
Run Time Details Talk (CDMA): up to 2280 min
Active online usage (3G): up to 15 hrs
Active online usage (LTE): up to 16 hrs
Active online usage (Wi-Fi): up to 16 hrs
Playback (audio): up to 60 hrs
Playback (audio (Always On Display Off)): up to 95 hrs
Playback (video): up to 21 hrs
Talk (WCDMA): up to 2280 min
Talk (4G): up to 2460 min
Active online usage (LTE): up to 18 hrs
Active online usage (Wi-Fi): up to 18 hrs
Playback (wireless video): up to 22 hrs
Playback (wireless audio): up to 81 hrs
CELLULAR Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Technology CDMA2000 1X / GSM / WCDMA (UMTS) / TD-SCDMA WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM
Mobile Broadband Generation 4G 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G has more advanced generation mobile network.
Operating System Android 8.1 Oreo Android 11
Intelligent Assistant Bixby Bixby
Payment Technology Samsung Pay Samsung Pay
Navigation GPS, GLONASS GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo
COMMUNICATIONS Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Data Transmission GPRS, EDGE, EV-DO, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, FDD-LTE, TDD-LTE FDD-LTE, TDD-LTE, 5G NR FR1
2G Band 850 GSM, 900 GSM, 1800 GSM, 1900 GSM, 800 CDMA2000 1X, 1900 CDMA2000 1X 850 GSM, 900 GSM, 1800 GSM, 1900 GSM
3G UMTS Band Band 1, Band 2, Band 4, Band 5, Band 8 Band 1, Band 2, Band 4, Band 5, Band 8
3G UMTS Frequency 2100, 1900, 1700, 850, 900 2100, 1900, 1700, 850, 900
4G LTE Band Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 12, Band 13, Band 14, Band 17, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 29, Band 30, Band 38, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 46, Band 66, Band 71 Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 12, Band 13, Band 17, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 32, Band 38, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66
4G LTE Frequency FDD 2100, FDD 1900 PCS, FDD 1800+, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS, FDD 850, FDD 2600, FDD 900, FDD 700a, FDD 700c, FDD 700 PS, FDD 700b, FDD 800 lower, FDD 800 upper, FDD 800 DD, FDD 1900+, FDD 850+, FDD 700 APT, FDD 700d, FDD 2300 WCS, TDD 2600, TDD 1900, TDD 2300, TDD 2500, TDD 5150, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS-3, FDD 600 FDD 2100, FDD 1900 PCS, FDD 1800+, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS, FDD 850, FDD 2600, FDD 900, FDD 700a, FDD 700c, FDD 700b, FDD 800 lower, FDD 800 upper, FDD 800 DD, FDD 1900+, FDD 850+, FDD 700 APT, FDD 1500 L, TDD 2600, TDD 1900, TDD 2300, TDD 2500, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS-3
5G NR Band - N1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n41, n66, n77, n78, n40
5G NR Frequency - FDD 2100, FDD 1800, FDD 850, FDD 2600, FDD 900, FDD 800, FDD 700APT, TDD TD 2600, TDD TD 2500, FDD AWS-3, TDD TD 3700, TDD TD 3500, TDD 2300
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, ANT+/ANT IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 LE Bluetooth 5.2
NFC Yes Yes Both phones have an NFC reader for mobile payments.
Messaging Services SMS, MMS -
MEDIA Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Supported Digital Audio Standards WAV, WMA, AAC, PCM, AMR, MP3, FLAC, XMF, OGG, MIDI, APE (Monkey's Audio), M4A, apt-X, DSF, DSD, MXMF, OGA, 3GA, AWB, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DFF, MID, DSD64, DSD128 WAV, WMA, AAC, PCM, AMR, MP3, FLAC, XMF, OGG, MIDI, APE (Monkey's Audio), M4A, DSF, DSD, MXMF, OGA, 3GA, AWB, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DFF, MID, DSD64, DSD128
Supported Digital Video Standards MKV, FLV, AVI, MPEG-4, WMV, ASF, 3GP, M4V, WebM, 3G2 MKV, FLV, AVI, WMV, ASF, 3GP, M4V, WebM, 3G2, MP4
Sound Enhancements Dolby Digital Plus sound, Dolby Atmos sound technology, Acoustic Overload Point, stereo speakers tuned by AKG, Dolby Digital sound Dolby Digital Plus sound, Dolby Atmos sound technology, Surround sound, stereo speakers tuned by AKG, Dolby Digital sound
FEATURES Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Phone Functions Speakerphone, voice control, call timer, conference call, flight mode, voice dialing, vibrating alert Speakerphone, voice control, call timer, conference call, flight mode, voice dialing, vibrating alert
Sensors Accelerometer, proximity sensor, barometer, gyro sensor, hall sensor, RGB sensor, pressure sensor, geomagnetic sensor Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, barometer, gyro sensor, hall sensor, geomagnetic sensor
Security Devices Face recognition, fingerprint reader, eye scan Fingerprint reader (under display), face recognition
Additional Phone Features S Pen multi-input, Face Unlock, Wi-Fi Miracast, Screen Write, Smart Select, MU-MIMO technology, Fast Charging, Samsung KNOX, Face recognition, High AOP Mic, Smart View, Live message, Screen off memo, Samsung DeX support, Bixby Vision, Smart Performance Adjuster, Dual Audio, water-carbon cooling system, S Pen remote function Air View, MIMO technology, Smart Select, Samsung KNOX, Smart View, Live message, Screen off memo, Bixby Vision, Dual Audio, Bixby Routines, Intelligent Performance Enhancer, AR Doodle, PENUP, Bixby key, Samsung Knox Vault, Private Share function, Enhanced Game Booster, Air Command
OTHERS Samsung Galaxy Note9 Unlocked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Included Accessories Power adapter, tweezer, SIM card removal tool, USB connector, USB-C cable, S Pen, Pen nibs, headset (tuned by AKG) SIM card removal tool, USB-C to USB-C cable
Compliant Standards IP68 IP68, HAC (Hearing Aid Compatible)
Max Depth of Water Resistance 1.5 m 1.5 m
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