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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 12, 2024·
If you prioritize having the latest technology and features, the Samsung Galaxy S24 offers a more modern design with a curved screen edge, higher peak brightness for the display, and significant camera improvements including a 50-megapixel main camera compared to the 12-megapixel on the S21. Additionally, the S24 supports a higher video recording frame rate at 8K. However, the Samsung Galaxy S21 will save you money and still delivers a solid performance with good camera capabilities, a high refresh rate display, and comparable battery life. The S24's higher price might not justify the upgrades if you're looking for good value and your needs are covered by the S21's feature set. Both phones offer the same screen size, lack of headphone jack, and wireless charging capabilities. 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 S24.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S24
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy S24 has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is preferred for its 'good' selfie quality, which is very important, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 is marked down for its 'good' consideration in the same area, indicating less satisfaction for selfie enthusiasts. Additionally, the S21 likely benefits from balanced performance across various camera capabilities like resolution, software experience, dynamic range, low light, and versatility, factors that are regarded as important, contributing to its higher camera appeal.
Photo Quality
7.0
8.5
The Samsung Galaxy S24 takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a better selfie camera quality compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24, which is considered a very important factor, while the S24 falls short in this aspect. Even though the S24 generally has improved features like software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, its lesser selfie photo quality impacts the overall perception of its camera capabilities negatively compared to the S21.
Video Quality
6.6
7.9
The Samsung Galaxy S24 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a higher video software experience score, offers better video stabilization, and delivers good microphone quality, contributing to its ability to capture good videos. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S24, despite its advanced specifications, has received poor evaluations in these areas, notably a very good microphone quality but lesser scores in video software experience and stabilization, which affects its overall video-taking performance.
Battery
6.7 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S24 has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$145
$800
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a price of $145 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 costs $800.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S24 is 6.2 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$145 | $800 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | January 24, 2024 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 421 | 416 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G3 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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 | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4000 mAh | 4000 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" | 5.79" 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 | 5.3 | |
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, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 276 | |
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 | Sandstone Orange, Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sapphire Blue | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Samsung Galaxy S24
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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