 How would you make the best smartphone? Like, if money was no object, what would it look like? Would it have more cameras, better cameras, a bigger and brighter screen, faster processors, more RAM, more storage, a stylus? Well, Samsung thinks it has the answer. The Galaxy S21 Ultra, a phone that imagines what it would look like if you didn't have to make any compromises. It's a phone that shows what the best of Samsung hardware and Android software can look like, if you're willing to pay for it. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is Samsung's latest superlatively named smartphone. It's the successor to last year's Galaxy S20 Ultra, and it shares a lot in common with that phone. Giant OLED display, an 108 megapixel camera, it works. But the Galaxy S21 Ultra is a refined version of last year's model, one that looks to smooth out some of the sharp edges of the S20 Ultra. Literally, in some cases, thanks to the new rounded design language that Samsung is using here. And looking at the spec sheet, the S21 Ultra does sound like a top of the line Android wishlist come to life. There's a 6.8 inch, 3200 by 1440 OLED display with refresh rates that go up to 120 hertz. And unlike last year's model, you'll actually be able to run that 120 hertz refresh rate at full resolution, although it is an adaptive refresh rate, so Samsung software will control where and when that's ramping up. It also has 12 gigabytes of RAM, Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 888 processor, up to 512 gigabytes of storage, and a massive 5,000 milliamp hour battery. It also fully supports 5G, with support for both sub-six gigahertz and millimeter wave 5G. And it also has an ultra wide band radio, which will work with Samsung's new Galaxy tags. It's honestly hard to imagine Samsung cramming anything else in here. Of course, just because Samsung can't physically fit it in the phone, doesn't mean they're done adding features. This year's Galaxy S21 Ultra will be the first Galaxy S phone to support Samsung's S Pen stylus, which clips onto optional cases. Unfortunately, that stylus isn't included in the box. Instead, you'll have to shell out another $40 for the stylus itself, or buy it in a $70 bundle that includes a case, either one that flips out or just clips onto the side. You might say that it's a bit S-pensive. Pricing aside though, the S Pen on the S21 Ultra does work pretty similar to the Galaxy Note. You'll be able to use it to write down notes, navigate around the operating system, and convert handwriting to text. If you do really like the S Pen on the Galaxy Note, you'll probably like this a lot. Although, it does add even more bulk to what already is a giant phone by almost any metric. So, it is something you'll wanna think about. And then, there's the cameras. Now, last year's S20 Ultra shot for the moon, literally. Like, Samsung's tech demo was showing how it could zoom and take pictures of the moon. But despite Samsung's lofty ambitions, there were some issues. The original S20 Ultra suffered from problems with autofocus, among other photographic bugs. The S21 Ultra though, promises a better experience. There's a new laser autofocus system, which Samsung says should help with a lot of the focusing issues, especially when you're zoomed all the way in using that wild 100X zoom feature. There's also support for 12-bit color depth, a better demosaicing process, and refinements to how Samsung is handling AI things, and especially smoothing. That said, we're gonna have to wait for a lot more comprehensive testing before we see if Samsung has actually elevated the S21 Ultra's camera from a cool tech demo into a camera contender. Now, the S21 Ultra isn't just about that 108 megapixel sensor though. There's also another three additional cameras on the back, just for fun. There's a 12 megapixel ultra wide for getting wide shots, and two separate telephoto cameras, one that goes up to 3X zoom, and one that goes up to 10X zoom. Now, both of those telephotos shoot at 10 megapixels, and offer optical image stabilization. Now, the reason why there are two separate telephoto lenses is for more versatility. It lets users have a little more control, and offers a little better options in terms of zooming at different lengths. Now, all four of those cameras, along with the laser autofocus system, and the flash, are all located in the new giant camera bump that's on the back of the phone. But, like the smaller S21s, this is where Samsung's new design really comes to play here, which is that the camera bump isn't this weird oblong squircle anymore that's just ruining the back of your phone. Samsung has melded it with the aluminum frame for a much nicer look. It just kind of flows together now, which is much better. That said, there's still a whole bunch of stuff that Samsung needs to fit in that array, so it doesn't look quite as nice as the three cameras on the S21 and S21 Plus. That ever so slightly bit of awkwardness is a pretty common trend on the S21 Ultra. It's just a bit bigger than the S21 Plus, which just makes it a bit harder to hold in your hands, it's a bit heavier. Now, again, none of that's a bad thing. You are getting a lot more for that extra bit of size and weight. You're getting, you know, the better cameras, the better screen resolution, more RAM, the S Pen support. But those differences do add up, especially when you factor in the fact that this phone costs $300 more at its base price than the S21 Plus. As you might expect from a 2021 flagship phone, there is only one port, which is a USB-C port. Buttons on the side are also pretty standard. There is a power button and a volume rocker. There is no Bixby button, rest in peace. One of the other big differences between the S21 Ultra and the S21 and S21 Plus is the shape of the display. The S21 and S21 Plus have shifted over to a flat panel, but the S21 Ultra, with that higher resolution, is still sticking with that classic, gently curved Samsung display that you know and love from years past. As for that screen, it looks great. Samsung is one of the best when it comes to making OLED panels that just shine. It is almost eye-searingly bright. The resolution looks crisp, and the 120-hertz scrolling is incredibly smooth. It is just a wonderful screen. The Galaxy S21 Ultra starts at $1,299, although price goes up as you add storage, with pre-orders starting on January 14th and shipping on January 29th. It is a different kind of phone than Samsung's other flagships. This is the creme de la creme. This is the phone that you get when you want the absolute best, when money is not a factor. I don't think the S21 Ultra is going to be the phone for everyone, but if you want the absolute best Android phone that you can buy, or the best smartphone that you can buy, honestly, well, I think the Galaxy S21 is going to make a really compelling case that it is that phone. Thanks so much for watching. We will have a lot more on the new Galaxy S20 lineup in the coming days. Check out our other video if you wanna hear more about the S21 and S21 Plus, Samsung's cheaper options, and like and subscribe for more great videos like this.