Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy S23
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-01-29 | 2023-02-17 | The S23 is significantly newer, implying more up-to-date software and components. |
| Dimensions | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm | 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm | The S23 is slightly smaller and thinner, which might feel more ergonomic, especially for single-handed use. The S21 5G is negligibly heavier. |
| Weight | 169g | 168g | Both phones are very similar in weight; negligible difference in daily use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.1" | The S21 has a slightly larger screen; the S23 is slightly smaller, which is preferable for those wanting better single hand use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2340 | Both provide a sharp display; negligible difference. |
| PPI | 421 | 425 | Similar pixel density; both provide a detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks; no significant difference in display technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1750 nits | The S23 is significantly brighter and more readable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The S23's Snapdragon chipset is considerably faster and more energy-efficient; expect better performance in demanding tasks and longer battery life. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,456,671 | The S23 has substantially higher performance, for gaming, editing or multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | The S23’s Adreno GPU offers far superior graphics performance, especially noticeable for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000 mAh | 3900 mAh | Both have similar battery capacities; the S23's more efficient chipset might translate to better real-world battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging (Li-Polymer) | 25W fast charging (Li-Ion) | Charging speed is the same, but battery type is different (small difference). |
| Features | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse | 10W wireless, 4.5W reverse, Bypass charging | Both offer wireless and reverse wireless charging but S21 offers 15W wireless, the S23 offers Bypass charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm | The S23's 50MP sensor captures more detail. S23 has larger sensor size for low light performance despite smaller pixel size |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | None | S21 has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens while the S23 lacks it. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 12MP, f/2.2, no data pixel size | S23 has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera; unknown pixel size on S23. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm | S23 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | S23 has a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing more of the scene. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | None | S21 has a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens |
| Video | Up to 8K @ 24/30/60 fps, EIS | Up to 8K @ 24/30 fps, EIS | Both offer excellent video recording with up to 8K resolution and stabilization. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 111, Selfie: 132 | Mobile: 133 | S23 has better overall mobile camera, S21 5G has better selfie camera; S21 has more DXOMark scores. |
| Features | More manual features | Night Mode 2.0 | Different post processing and feature set options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | The S23 has a newer OS version and will receive more software updates; S23 has a longer lifespan for new software updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | S23 additionally supports Wi-Fi MiMO for increased Wi-Fi performance. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3, LDAC | S23 has a newer Bluetooth standard with better speed, range and efficiency and LDAC support for higher quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S23 includes additional GLONASS band for better positioning. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM, eSIM | S23 offers eSIM for dual SIM options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | The S23 has an optional 512GB storage for more demanding users. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | Sufficient RAM for both models. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | S21 offers an enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos for a wider range of sounds. |
| Security | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | No difference in security features. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S23 has a newer Gorilla Glass version, offering slightly better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive Sensor Suite | Comprehensive Sensor Suite | Identical sensor set offering same functionality |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S23 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers much better CPU and GPU performance compared to the Exynos 2100, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Brighter Display: The 1750 nits display is significantly brighter than the S21's 1300 nits, making it much better for outdoor visibility and in direct sunlight.
- Improved Main Camera: The 50MP main camera sensor captures more detail than the S21's 12MP. S23 has a larger sensor for improved low light photos.
- Dedicated Telephoto & Wide Angle Lenses: The S23 adds dedicated telephoto and wide angle lenses, offering greater versatility in photography.
- Newer Software & Longer Support: The S23 launches with Android 13 and will receive updates for longer, offering a longer lifespan of software updates compared to the S21 5G.
- Better Bluetooth & WiFi: Better bluetooth and WiFi functionality for better audio and internet connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Dedicated Telephoto + Portrait and Wide Angle + Macro: The S21 features dedicated telephoto, portrait and wide angle + macro lenses.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: The S21 has Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience.
- 15W Wireless Charging: The S21 has faster 15W wireless charging compared to the S23's 10W.
- Slightly Larger Screen: The S21 has a marginally larger screen size, though the practical difference is quite small.
- Better Selfie & Video Score in DXO: The S21 showed higher scores for selfie photo and video, though the S23 does have a slightly better front camera.
Trade-offs:
- The S23 trades the dedicated telephoto and portrait camera found in the S21 for a dedicated telephoto lens. It also drops the wide angle + macro for a normal wide angle camera.
- The S21 has slightly better selfie and video scores in DXO but loses in the main camera.
- The S21 lacks the newest WiFi and Bluetooth standards
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ideal User:
- Power Users & Gamers: Users who demand high performance for gaming, multitasking, and resource-intensive applications will benefit from the S23's faster processor and GPU.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Those who often use their phone in bright sunlight will appreciate the significantly brighter display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users looking for more versatile camera options, especially telephoto and wide-angle shots will appreciate the S23.
- Users Prioritizing Longevity: Individuals seeking a device with the latest software features and updates for a longer period should choose the S23.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Ideal User:
- Users on a Budget: If you are looking for a device on a budget, the S21 offers good features for the price and can be found used.
- Users Prioritizing Dolby Atmos Audio: Those who value higher quality audio with Dolby Atmos.
- Users Who Want Better Selfie Camera: The S21 has better selfie photos and videos based on DXO scores.
- Users Wanting A Dedicated Macro Camera: The S21 offers a dedicated wide angle and macro lens that the S23 lacks.
Specific Use Cases:
- S23: Mobile gaming, 4K/8K video editing, outdoor photography, long-term use with software updates, better performance.
- S21: Everyday use with less demanding tasks, users wanting Dolby Atmos or a dedicated macro camera, users wanting a better front camera, those on a budget.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: How important is having the fastest possible performance for gaming or heavy multitasking?
- Display Requirements: Will you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, requiring a high brightness display?
- Photography Preferences: Do you prefer telephoto, wide-angle, portrait or macro lenses, and the quality of selfie camera is most important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Power User): If you frequently use your phone for gaming, video editing, or other demanding tasks, the S23 is the better choice due to its superior performance.
- Scenario 2 (Outdoor Use): If you frequently use your phone outdoors, the S23's brighter display will be much more readable in sunlight.
- Scenario 3 (Budget-Conscious): If you're on a tighter budget and value Dolby Atmos, a dedicated macro camera, or a better selfie camera, and don't mind using an older model, the S21 5G is a good value alternative.
- Scenario 4 (Versatile Photography): If you want versatility for zoomed shots and capturing wide landscapes, the S23 offers a more complete camera system. If you want a dedicated telephoto and portrait camera and a dedicated wide angle and macro camera, then the S21 5G is for you.
- Scenario 5 (Software Longevity): If you intend to use the device for several years and desire consistent software updates, the S23's newer OS and longer support period is preferable.
What Would I Choose?
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23.
While the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has some compelling features, such as the macro lens and Dolby Atmos, the overall package offered by the S23 is superior for my needs and preferences. The substantially faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset is a huge advantage for overall performance and the phone will be more responsive and perform better over its lifespan. The significantly brighter display is also a major plus, as I frequently use my phone outdoors and prefer the newer camera system on the S23. The telephoto lens adds greater versatility to my photography and I prefer the longer software support lifespan. While the lack of the dedicated macro camera is a small loss, the other improvements make the S23 the better choice.
