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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 12, 2024·
If you prioritize affordability, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is significantly cheaper but has a plastic back and a smaller 6.2-inch screen without curved edges, compared to the glass back and larger 6.7-inch curved screen of the Samsung Galaxy S24+. The S24+ offers better camera features, including a higher-resolution main camera and telephoto lens with 3x zoom, and overall improved camera performance. It also has a significantly brighter display and more RAM, which may result in better multitasking and performance. However, if battery life is crucial for you, the S21 offers ample service despite its lower capacity. Both phones have wireless charging capabilities, high refresh rate screens, and run on Android OS, but if the latest technology and stronger performance are less critical, the S21 could meet your needs at 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 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 offers a "good" selfie quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S24+ improves upon this to a "very good" selfie quality, which is notably important for selfie enthusiasts. In addition to that, the Galaxy S24+ possesses superior qualities in other areas such as camera versatility and low light performance, making it a better overall choice for photography lovers seeking higher performance across various conditions.
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 offers good photo quality because it has strong camera versatility and selfie capabilities. In contrast, the Galaxy S24+ offers very good photo resolution, low light performance, and camera versatility, but only boasts fair selfie quality, making it poorly suited for customers prioritizing front-facing camera performance.
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 takes better videos because it has higher scores in video software experience, video stabilization, video dynamic range, and video low light performance than the Galaxy S24+. Additionally, the Galaxy S21's microphone quality is rated higher, which contributes to the overall superior video capturing capabilities compared to the Galaxy S24+.
Battery
6.7 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S24+ has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S24+ is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$145
$1,000
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung Galaxy S21 has a price of $145 and the Samsung Galaxy S24+ costs $1,000.
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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 | $1,000 | ||
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" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3120 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 421 | 513 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G3 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 12 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 | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4000 mAh | 4900 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" | 6.24" x 2.99" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.96 oz | 6.91 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 | Sapphire Blue, Sandstone Orange, Onyx Black, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet | |
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
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Recommendations made
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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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