Samsung’s Baffling Galaxy S21 Ultra Charging Decision Still Puzzles Experts

Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra launched as a near-perfect flagship in early 2021. It boasted a stunning design and a powerful camera system. Yet, it carried one significant and confusing flaw.

The device featured a slower maximum charging speed than its predecessor. This downgrade baffled industry experts and consumers alike, according to Reuters.

The Unexplained 25W Charging Cap

The Galaxy S21 Ultra was limited to just 25W wired charging. This was a clear step backwards. The previous model, the Galaxy S20 Ultra, supported faster 45W charging.

Samsung never provided a public explanation for this change. Every subsequent Ultra model has since reinstated the faster 45W capability. This makes the S21 Ultra an odd outlier in the product line.

The decision seemed to contradict the phone’s premium positioning. It left potential buyers frustrated and reviewers questioning the company’s logic.

A Wider Pattern of Inconsistency

This was not an isolated incident for Samsung. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, released just months before, suffered the same fate. It was also capped at 25W charging, unlike the 45W-capable Galaxy Note 10+.

The move was especially disappointing for Note fans. The Note 20 Ultra became the final model in the iconic series. Its charging limitation remains a lasting mark on the brand’s legacy.

Some analysts speculated it was a cost-cutting measure. Others believed it was a strange attempt to differentiate models. The true reason remains a mystery within the tech community.

The Lasting Impact on a Legacy

This single decision continues to affect how the Galaxy S21 Ultra is viewed today. It is remembered as a brilliant phone held back by one puzzling compromise. For a device that aimed for perfection, it was a significant miss.

Samsung quickly corrected course with the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The return of faster charging was a clear acknowledgment of user demand. It also highlighted how unnecessary the S21 Ultra’s limitation truly was.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra’s constrained charging speed remains a curious footnote in smartphone history. It serves as a reminder that even the best devices can be marred by unclear corporate strategies. This specific Samsung choice continues to confuse experts and users years later.

Info at your fingertips

What was the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s max charging speed?

The Galaxy S21 Ultra was limited to a maximum of 25W wired charging. This was slower than the 45W charging supported by the model that came before it.

Did the Galaxy S22 Ultra have faster charging?

Yes, Samsung reintroduced 45W charging with the Galaxy S22 Ultra. This reversal confirmed the S21 Ultra’s limitation was an unusual choice, not a new trend.

Could you use a 45W charger with the S21 Ultra?

You could use a 45W charger, but the phone would not charge any faster. The device’s hardware was capped to draw a maximum of 25W of power for safety and compatibility.

Did any other Samsung phones have this issue?

Yes, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra also featured a similar downgrade to 25W charging. This created a short-lived pattern of reduced charging speeds for Samsung’s top-tier phones during that period.

Why would Samsung make this decision?

Samsung never officially explained the reason. Industry observers suggested it could have been a cost-saving measure or a way to differentiate product lines, but this was never confirmed.