vivo X60t Pro+ vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G: Which Flagship Delivers More?

The vivo X60t Pro+ and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G represent distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The X60t Pro+ arrived as a late-2020/early-2021 contender, while the S21 Ultra was Samsung’s 2021 flagship. With the S21 Ultra now seeing significant price drops, the comparison becomes particularly relevant for budget-conscious buyers seeking top-tier performance and features.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G offers a more complete package. Its brighter display, versatile camera system, and wider availability outweigh the X60t Pro+'s faster charging. However, the X60t Pro+ remains a compelling option for those prioritizing raw performance and a more streamlined software experience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X60t Pro+ Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - SM-G998U1
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-G998U1
SpeedHSPA, LTE-A, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-G998B
Launch
Announced2021, June 282021, January 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 28Available. Released 2021, January 29
Body
BuildGlass front, eco leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.6 x 73.4 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.89 x 0.36 in)165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)227 g (Sub6), 229 g (mmWave) (8.01 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus support
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~515 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 112.1 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA/China
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - USA/China
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660 - USA/China
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, gimbal OIS, PDAF108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 72mm (telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 240mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm-
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.7µm, PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jack-No
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, color spectrumFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Virtual proximity sensingSamsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging55W wired25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4200 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsOrange, Emperor BluePhantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, Phantom Brown, Navy
ModelsV2056ASM-G998B, SM-G998B/DS, SM-G998U, SM-G998U1, SM-G998W, SM-G998N, SM-G9980
PriceAbout 650 EUR$ 240.01 / C$ 353.20 / £ 202.99 / € 264.99
SAR0.80 W/kg (head)     0.47 W/kg (body)     0.77 W/kg (head)     1.02 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.71 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)
Pricing
128GB 12GB RAM-$ 384.99
256GB 12GB RAM-$ 998.00
512GB 12GB RAM-$ 1,179.99
RENEWED-$ 459.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 114h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 657150 (v8) GeekBench: 3518 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo X60t Pro+

  • Faster 55W wired charging
  • Potentially more streamlined software experience
  • Snapdragon 888 offers strong performance

  • Limited availability outside of China
  • Battery capacity and camera details are unknown
  • Lacks wireless charging

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

  • Brighter and more versatile display
  • More comprehensive camera system with zoom capabilities
  • Wider availability and Samsung ecosystem

  • Exynos 2100 may exhibit more thermal throttling
  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Higher price (depending on configuration)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1023 nits, compared to an unlisted value for the X60t Pro+. This brightness advantage translates to better outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize AMOLED technology, the S21 Ultra’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a more refined panel. The S21 Ultra’s adaptive refresh rate (likely LTPO) is also a benefit, dynamically adjusting for smoother scrolling and improved battery efficiency, a feature not explicitly mentioned for the X60t Pro+.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are equipped with advanced camera systems, but differ in their approach. The S21 Ultra’s camera is renowned for its versatility, including impressive zoom capabilities (not detailed in the provided data). The X60t Pro+’s camera specifications are not detailed enough to make a direct comparison, but its focus on image quality is well-regarded. The S21 Ultra’s image processing tends towards vibrant, saturated colors, while vivo often aims for a more natural look. The absence of details regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures for the X60t Pro+ makes a detailed analysis difficult.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) in certain regions (China/USA for both). However, the international S21 Ultra ships with the Exynos 2100 (5nm). While both are powerful, the Snapdragon 888 generally exhibits slightly better sustained performance and thermal management. The S21 Ultra’s CPU, with a 2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 core, has a slight clock speed advantage over the X60t Pro+'s 2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, but this difference is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use. Both devices feature 12GB of RAM, but the S21 Ultra offers configurations up to 512GB, while the X60t Pro+’s maximum storage isn’t specified.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra achieves an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating solid battery life. It supports 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging (Qi), and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The X60t Pro+ features significantly faster 55W wired charging, allowing for a much quicker 0-100% charge time. However, the X60t Pro+'s battery capacity is not specified, so it’s difficult to assess whether the faster charging fully compensates for a potentially smaller battery. The S21 Ultra’s wireless and reverse wireless charging capabilities are absent on the X60t Pro+.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X60t Pro+ if you prioritize peak CPU performance and fast 55W charging, and prefer a less bloated software experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G if you value a superior display, a more versatile camera system with excellent zoom capabilities, and the broader ecosystem of Samsung features and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2100 in the S21 Ultra overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 2100 is known to run slightly warmer than the Snapdragon 888. While it won't necessarily 'overheat' and shut down, users may experience some thermal throttling during extended, graphically intensive gaming sessions. Samsung's software attempts to mitigate this, but the Snapdragon variant generally offers better sustained performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the S21 Ultra actually useful for detailed close-up shots?
While present, the 2MP macro camera on the S21 Ultra is largely a marketing feature. Its low resolution limits detail and image quality. The main sensor can achieve acceptable macro shots with digital zoom, often producing better results than the dedicated macro lens.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra support 90fps gameplay in PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra supports 90fps gameplay in PUBG Mobile with the highest graphics settings enabled. This provides a smoother and more responsive gaming experience, taking full advantage of the phone's high refresh rate display.
❓ What are the key software differences between vivo's Funtouch OS and Samsung's One UI?
Funtouch OS is known for its customization options and focus on visual flair, but can sometimes feel cluttered. One UI offers a cleaner, more intuitive interface with a strong emphasis on usability and Samsung's ecosystem integration. One UI also generally receives faster and more consistent software updates.