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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a top priority and you're looking for overall better image and video capabilities, the Galaxy S21 would be the preferable choice. However, if you prioritize longer battery life and want a slightly larger screen, the Galaxy A53 is a better fit. The Galaxy A53 also has a newer processor, which might offer slightly improved performance and future-proofing, even if it may not be as powerful as the one in the S21. Both have plastic backs, OLED displays with high refresh rates, and no headphone jack, but the S21 has a higher peak brightness for its display. The S21 lacks an SD card slot for expandable storage, something the A53 includes, so if storage flexibility is important, you might lean towards the A53. Both phones support 5G and are similarly priced despite the A53 being a newer model. Keep in mind the S21 offers wireless charging and reverse wireless charging which the A53 lacks. 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 A53
- Very good battery life
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
5.9
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 has poor overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy A53's cameras are rated as having fair selfie quality, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21 edges ahead with very good selfie quality; this becomes more significant given that selfie score is deemed very important. Additionally, while both phones offer a range of camera functionalities that include resolution, low light performance, and versatility, the S21 generally provides a better experience in photography and videography, making it a superior option for camera enthusiasts willing to invest in a higher price bracket.
Photo Quality
6.2
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes only fair photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 takes very good photos due in part to its camera software experience and selfie quality, both of which are rated as good, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S21 exceeds with a superior photos software experience and an outstanding selfie score, making its overall photo capabilities including resolution, dynamic range, and low-light performance more refined. Although both phones offer good camera experiences, the S21's slightly better ratings in key areas give it an edge over the A53 for photography enthusiasts who prioritize top-tier selfie quality and camera performance.
Video Quality
5.2
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes poor videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A53 provides a satisfactory video experience with good stabilization and microphone quality, but it has lower performance in dynamic range and suffers in low light conditions. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers excellent video resolution and framerate with high video software experience and better dynamic range, making it superior in capturing more detail and performing well across various lighting scenarios.
Battery
8.0 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has 8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A53 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 A53 has a price of $200 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs $145.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A53 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A53 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$200 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 24, 2022 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 405 | 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 | 6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 6.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 5.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 64 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 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 | 6.28" x 2.94" | 5.97" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.67 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 | 5.1 | 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/mmWave)2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 | (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: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, White, Black | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A53
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | May 2023
"Samsung’s quartet of rear cameras delivers the goods, both day and night, with the only blemish being the lack of 4K/60fps video recording. The large, 6.5-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display is crisp and smooth, making video streaming enjoyable. You should have no issues pushing the 5,000mAh battery to its limits and it’s not too slow to charge relative to its competitors in the US."
Samsung Galaxy S21
See more
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 A53 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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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
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Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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