Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first phone to get new, low-power OLED display

Lower power consumption = longer battery life.
 By 
Stan Schroeder
 on 
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first phone to get new, low-power OLED display

Typically, we learn most of the details on Samsung's phones prior to launch (thanks to rumors and leaks), and then Samsung tells us the rest on launch day. But the company didn't widely share one interesting tidbit about its new Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra phone — until now.

Samsung's latest flagship was the first phone (via Engadget) to feature Samsung Display's new, low-power OLED display for smartphones, which reduces power consumption up to 16 percent.

It might not seem like much, but displays are one of the biggest battery drains in smartphones, so every little bit helps. Samsung says the new OLED smartphone display uses a new organic material with "dramatically improved" luminous efficiency compared to the company's previous smartphone panels.

Mashable Image
Samsung's new Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first phone to feature Samsung Display's new, low-power OLED display. Credit: zlata ivleva/mashable

"Samsung Display’s novel organic material achieved its sharp increase in luminous efficiency by having electrons flow faster and more easily across the display’s organic layers," the company said.

For the consumer, it boils down to having a brighter display which consumes less power. Together with the Galaxy S21 Ultra's adaptive refresh rate, this resulted in excellent battery life. But Samsung is producing OLED smartphone displays for other manufacturers, meaning we'll soon see other smartphones featuring this new display.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra can be pre-ordered now, with units shipping on January 29.

Topics Samsung

Stan Schroeder
Stan Schroeder
Senior Editor

Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
New Samsung TVs just dropped: Meet the new (but not) The Frame Pro and a curiously Frame Pro-like OLED TV
Samsung S95H OLED TV with purple abstract screensaver hanging on wall

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra hands-on: Privacy Display is the coolest innovation by far
Three photos of the Samsung S26 Ultra. From left to right: with Privacy Display deactivated, with Privacy Display activated, and with Maxiumum Privacy Protection activated.

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 review: This fanless gem lasts 15+ hours with a gorgeous OLED display
lenovo chromebook 14 plus on tabletop


Samsung's new OLED TVs will probably be expensive. Meanwhile, the 2025 S90F OLED is almost 50% off.
Samsung S90F OLED TV on TV stand in living area

More in Tech
California just launched the country's largest public broadband network
Newsom stands behind a teen on a computer. A group of people cheer and clap behind them.

The Shark FlexStyle is our favorite Dyson Airwrap dupe, and it's $160 off at Amazon right now
The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System against a colorful background.

Amazon's sister site is having a one-day sale, and this Bissell TurboClean deal is too good to skip
A woman using the Bissell TurboClean Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner Mop and Lightweight Wet/Dry Vacuum.

The best smartwatch you've never heard of is on sale for less than $50
Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro in light green with blue and green abstract background

Reddit r/all takes another step into the grave
Reddit logo on phone screen

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

You can track Artemis II in real time as Orion flies to the moon
Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman piloting the Orion spacecraft
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!