Free up space · Samsung
How to free up space on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Short answer
To free up space on the Galaxy S21 Ultra, open Settings > Device care > Storage to see what is using it, clear duplicates with Device care: Storage, then empty Gallery's Recycle bin. A default 12 MP photo is about 3.6 MB, so 5,000 photos take roughly 18 GB of the 128 GB base model.
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Where is the storage screen on the Galaxy S21 Ultra?
The Galaxy S21 Ultra launched in January 2021 with Android 11 and One UI 3.1. On that software the storage screen is Settings > Device care > Storage.
Other One UI versions use a different path; the Samsung guide lists them.
Where do deleted photos go on the Galaxy S21 Ultra?
On the Galaxy S21 Ultra, Gallery's Recycle bin holds them for 30 days (Gallery > Menu (three lines) > Recycle bin). It launched on Android 11, so it also has Android's system trash.
What is specific to the Galaxy S21 Ultra?
No microSD slot. The 512 GB version has 16 GB RAM, and Expert RAW saves large DNG files alongside JPEGs.
Which built-in cleaners did the Galaxy S21 Ultra ship with?
Out of the box on One UI 3.1, the Galaxy S21 Ultra has Device care: Storage (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage), Recycle bin cleanup (Settings > Battery and device care > Storage > Recycle bin) and My Files Recycle bin (My Files > Recycle bin). How each works is in the Samsung guide.
How much space do Galaxy S21 Ultra photos take?
Galaxy S21 Ultra: 108 MP main sensor, 12 MP by default, plus 12 MP ultrawide, 10 MP 3x telephoto, 10 MP 10x telephoto. 1,000 default Galaxy S21 Ultra shots take about 3.6 GB.
| File | Typical size | Fits in 10 GB |
|---|---|---|
| Default photo (12 MP) | about 3.6 MB | about 2,778 |
| Full-resolution mode (108 MP) | about 17.3 MB | about 578 |
| RAW / DNG (12 MP) | about 23 MB | about 435 |
| One minute of video at 8K 24fps | about 600 MB | about 17 minutes |
Switching the Galaxy S21 Ultra to its 108 MP mode makes each shot about 17.3 MB, roughly 5 times a default photo, so 200 of them use 3.5 GB. RAW files from the Galaxy S21 Ultra run to about 23 MB each, which is why RAW folders fill a phone faster than anything except video. Recording at 8K 24fps, the Galaxy S21 Ultra writes about 600 MB a minute, so a ten-minute clip takes 6.0 GB, the same as 1,667 default photos. Selfies from the 40 MP front camera are about 9.6 MB each.
How much of each Galaxy S21 Ultra storage option does a big gallery use?
| Storage option | 5,000 default photos | 30 minutes of top-quality video |
|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | 18 GB (14%) | 18 GB (14%) |
| 256 GB | 18 GB (7%) | 18 GB (7%) |
| 512 GB | 18 GB (4%) | 18 GB (4%) |
On the 128 GB Galaxy S21 Ultra, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 56% of it. On the 256 GB Galaxy S21 Ultra, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 28% of it. On the 512 GB Galaxy S21 Ultra, every 10 GB you free holds about 2,778 more default photos, and a gallery of 20,000 photos would fill 14% of it.
Can you add a memory card to the Galaxy S21 Ultra?
No, the Galaxy S21 Ultra has no microSD slot, so its 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB is all the space there is.
How does the Galaxy S21 Ultra compare with other Galaxy S phones?
Against the Galaxy S20 (March 2020), the Galaxy S21 Ultra has the same 128 GB starting storage and has a 108 MP main sensor where the Galaxy S20 has 12 MP; only the Galaxy S20 takes a memory card. Against the Galaxy S20+ (March 2020), the Galaxy S21 Ultra has the same 128 GB starting storage and has a 108 MP main sensor where the Galaxy S20+ has 12 MP; only the Galaxy S20+ takes a memory card. Against the Galaxy S20 Ultra (March 2020), the Galaxy S21 Ultra has the same 128 GB starting storage; only the Galaxy S20 Ultra takes a memory card.
| Model | Launched | Storage options | Default photo | microSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S21 Ultra | January 2021 | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | No |
| Galaxy S20 | March 2020 | 128 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
| Galaxy S20+ | March 2020 | 128 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
| Galaxy S20 Ultra | March 2020 | 128 GB, 512 GB | 12 MP (~3.6 MB) | Yes |
What will GalleryJury do on the Galaxy S21 Ultra?
GalleryJury, coming soon for Android 11 and later, will pick the best shot of each burst. At about 3.6 MB a Galaxy S21 Ultra photo, its $5 pack of 5,000 photos covers roughly 18 GB, after 50 free.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos fit on a 512 GB Galaxy S21 Ultra?
In theory about 142,222 default photos if nothing else were stored; in practice apps and Android take a large share.
How much storage does the Galaxy S21 Ultra have?
It was sold with 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB and no microSD slot.
Sources
- Samsung UK Support: Galaxy S21 Ultra (SM-G998BDBDEUA) specifications (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to clear up storage space on your smartphone (checked 31 October 2026)
- Samsung UK Support: How to delete or restore files in the recycle bin in My Files (checked 31 October 2026)
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GalleryJury is coming soon to Android
It keeps the best shot from every burst and clears the clutter around it. 50 free photos to try, then $5 for 5,000 photos or $15 for 20,000. Pay once, nothing renews. No subscription.