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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize camera performance and are okay with a slight decrease in battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S22 is a better choice as it offers higher photo and video quality, with a significantly better overall camera rating compared to the S21. However, if battery life is more important to you and you want to save money, the Galaxy S21 might be the more suitable option, though you'll be compromising on camera capabilities. Both phones do not have expandable storage or a headphone jack, but offer wireless charging and Water/Dust resistance. The S22 has a higher-quality back made of glass, whereas the S21 has a plastic back. Both phones run Android and are similarly sized with high-quality OLED displays and high refresh rates. 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 S21
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S22.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S22
- The Samsung Galaxy S22 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S22 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good overall camera quality, though the Samsung Galaxy S22 has somewhat better overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 has a selfie camera that's rated higher in quality compared to the Galaxy S21, which is significant given the very important status of selfie performance. Additionally, the S22 boasts enhancements in camera versatility, such as better photo software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and overall camera capabilities than the S21, making it a better choice if these factors are important to you.
Photo Quality
7.0
7.6
The Samsung Galaxy S22 and Samsung Galaxy S21 both have good photos, though the Samsung Galaxy S22 takes somewhat better photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 provides a better selfie experience than the Galaxy S21, which is a very important feature for many users. While both phones offer good photos with robust features such as dynamic range and low-light performance, the S22 improves upon the S21 with its enhanced photos software experience and camera versatility, all of which contribute to its ability to capture very good photos compared to the good photos from the S21.
Video Quality
6.6
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S22 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 offers superior video stabilization and very good video software experience, making it a solid choice for smooth and user-friendly video recording. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S22 shines with very good mic quality and excellent video dynamic range, enhancing the audio capture and resulting in more detail in different lighting conditions when recording videos.
Battery
6.7 Hours
5.3 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22 has 5.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$145
$699
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a price of $145 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 costs $699.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22 is 6.1 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Samsung Galaxy S22 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$145 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | February 25, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 421 | 425 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 5.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4000 mAh | 3700 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.97" x 2.8" | 5.75" x 2.78" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 5.89 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (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 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
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 | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | Phantom Black, Phantom White, Bora Purple, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | 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."
Samsung Galaxy S22
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Lance Ulanoff | February 2023
"The 6.1-inch Galaxy S22 is just what smaller hands ordered, so if you find most modern mobiles too big, this is a great alternative. The Samsung’s chipset will give you loads of power for gaming, video editing or anything else that needs lots of juice."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Samsung Galaxy S22
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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
Consumer hours saved
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.
Efthimis Kotanidis
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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