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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 23, 2024·
If you prioritize a better overall camera system with more features and higher video quality, the Samsung Galaxy S21 would be a good choice, though it's more expensive than the A15. However, if battery life and a lower cost are more important to you and you're less concerned with camera capabilities, the Galaxy A15 would suffice. The S21 features a higher screen quality and performance but has a smaller screen. Both phones have plastic bodies and offer 5G connectivity, but only the A15 includes a headphone jack and the S21 offers wireless charging and an IP rating for water and dust resistance. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A15
- The Samsung Galaxy A15 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy A15 has poor overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 boasts superior camera capabilities, with a 'Good' selfie score and a 'Very Good' overall photo software experience, indicating better performance across various conditions, including dynamic range and low light. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A15 lags behind with a 'Poor' rating in both these aspects, reflecting its lower quality in capturing selfies and handling image processing tasks.
Photo Quality
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy A15 takes poor photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos largely because it offers a very good photos software experience and a good selfie quality, which are both critical for producing pleasing images. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A15 delivers poor photos as it has poor scores in these areas, indicating a less capable software and inferior selfie camera performance.
Video Quality
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy A15 takes poor videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A15 records videos with poor overall quality, including aspects like resolution, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21 excels in video capture, notably offering the best video software experience and good stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and mic quality.
Battery
9.1 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A15 has 9.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A15 has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 is 6.2 inches.
Cost
$200
$145
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Samsung Galaxy A15 has a price of $200 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A15 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A15 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$200 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 396 | 421 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | E1280 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | ||
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | ||
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | ||
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.1 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.3" x 3.02" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Light Blue, Blue Black | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A15 or the Samsung Galaxy S21
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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