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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Samsung Galaxy S21 would be a better choice as it comes at a significantly lower price than the S22+. However, the S22+ has a slightly larger screen and a considerably better overall camera quality with higher megapixels in its main camera, offering improved still photo and video quality. If battery life is a concern, the S21 has a slightly longer battery life. Both phones share many features, including no headphone jack, similar storage options, and wireless charging capabilities, but the decision would depend on whether the better camera and screen size on the S22+ is worth the additional cost over the S21. 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 S21 offers a solid camera experience particularly with its selfie quality, but the Samsung Galaxy S22+ steps up with superior photos resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance in addition to its excellent selfie camera, reflecting overall camera advancements in the newer model.
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+ offers very good selfie performance over the good selfie performance of the Galaxy S21 due to improvements made in the phone's photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance; these quality enhancements contribute to the Galaxy S22+'s superior camera versatility.
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 delivers best-in-class video resolution and framerate, stabilization, and dynamic range, along with good performance in low light and good mic quality, which contribute to its high-quality video capabilities. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S22+ improves on these with very good video software experience and low light performance, ensuring enhanced video recording, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$145
$433
$0
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$200
$300
$400
$500
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The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a price of $145 and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ costs $433.
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Key similarities
Battery
6.7 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22+ has 6.4 hours of battery life.
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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 | $433 | ||
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" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 421 | 393 | |
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 | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4000 mAh | 4500 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" | 6.2" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 6.88 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, Green, Pink Gold | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21
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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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Android Police
Daniel Bader | March 2022
"It has an incredible display, best-in-class performance, and some awesome value adds, like an improved main camera sensor over last year and some of the best haptics you can find in the Android ecosystem. This is one of the best Android phones you can buy and will only get better over its four years of promised platform updates."
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
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Phones evaluated
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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.
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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