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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a phone with a stronger build quality, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ with its glass back may be a better choice over the plastic back of the Galaxy A53. For a larger screen and slightly higher peak brightness, the Galaxy S21+ is also advantageous. However, if longer battery life is a priority for you, both phones offer similar endurance. The Galaxy S21+ boasts a more powerful processor and double the RAM, which can provide smoother performance and better multitasking. On the other hand, the Galaxy A53 is a newer model, but this does not necessarily imply better features across the board. When considering cameras, the S21+ has a larger main sensor and the capability to record in 8K, which could mean better video quality, whereas the A53 does not support 8K recording. Both phones lack a headphone jack and support 5G connectivity. If having the latest software updates is important to you, consider that the A53 is a year newer, which typically means it will receive updates for a longer period. However, if the higher price of the A53 is a concern, the S21+ offers significant advantages for a lower cost. 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
- The Samsung Galaxy A53 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
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 is recognized for its very good selfie camera, which may be attributed to a balanced combination of features: the selfie scores are fair and its photos software experience is good, though it has some limitations in dynamic range and low light performance. The Samsung Galaxy S21+, on the other hand, has overall good cameras with a better selfie score that is good, alongside very good photo software experience, and better performance in dynamic range and low light, both for photos and videos.
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 predominantly because its selfie quality is rated as fair and it has a decent overall photos software experience. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ also takes good photos, with its selfie quality rated higher, at good, along with better photos software experience and higher results in dynamic range and low light 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 offers good video stabilization and microphone quality for its price range, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ provides superior video software experience and dynamic range, making for better overall video capture, especially in terms of contrast and color accuracy. However, the S21+ typically comes at a higher cost, reflecting its advanced video capabilities and additional features like HDR10+ support.
Cost
$200
$340
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has a price of $200 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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Key similarities
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has 8 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A53 has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
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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 | $340 | ||
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" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 405 | 394 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4800 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" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.67 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
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 Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy A53
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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+
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
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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Why trust us
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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Phones evaluated
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
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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Phones Expert
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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