1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and Samsung Galaxy S23+ specifications, focusing on their practical impact:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | 157.8 × 76.2 × 7.6 mm | S23+ is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. S21 5G is slightly thicker but smaller overall. |
| Weight | 169g | 196g | S21 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.2" | 6.6" | S23+ offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2340 | Both offer sharp displays, with only a marginal difference, unnoticeable in daily use. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 421 | 393 | S21 5G has a slightly sharper display, though both are visually similar to the eye. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1750 nits | S23+ is much better for outdoor visibility, particularly in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | S23+ has significantly faster performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 1,508,732 | S23+ offers a much snappier and smoother experience, especially in resource-intensive apps. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 740 | S23+ has a much more powerful GPU, resulting in better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4700mAh | S23+ likely offers longer battery life and can withstand heavier usage throughout the day. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | S23+ charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, No charger in box | 10W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, Bypass Charging | S23+ includes bypass charging (power phone directly from charger without charging the battery), S21 5G has a slightly faster wireless charging. Both have reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm pixels | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm pixels | S23+ captures much more detailed images, performs better in low light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm pixels | None | S21 5G has a dedicated telephoto camera for zoomed portraits. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm pixels | 12MP, f/2.2 | S23+ captures slightly more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm pixels | S23+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm pixels | S23+ has a dedicated ultrawide lens for expansive shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm pixels | None | S21 5G has a ultrawide lens that also works as a macro camera |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24/30fps | Up to 8K@24/30fps | Both phones can capture high-resolution video, with similar stabilization features. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 111 | 133 | S23+ has a better overall mobile camera score. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 132 | N/A | S21 5G has been tested and has a good overall score. |
| Features | Digital Image Stabilization, OIS | OIS | Both have optical image stabilization, S21 5G also features digital image stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 15) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | S23+ has a newer operating system and will receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot, Wi-Fi MiMO | S23+ includes Wi-Fi MIMO for more stable connections in congested areas. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | S23+ has a newer Bluetooth version with better efficiency and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | S23+ offers more accurate location tracking with more satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | S23+ offers the flexibility of an eSIM, while S21 5G uses 2 nano SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | S23+ offers more internal storage for those who need it. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | Both are sufficient for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | S23+ supports Hi-Res Audio for better quality, S21 5G includes a noise cancellation microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both use a fingerprint sensor for basic security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S23+ uses a slightly more durable version of Gorilla Glass. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Both have a comprehensive suite of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Lighter and more compact: Easier to handle and carry in your pocket.
- Slightly sharper display: Higher pixel density for a marginally sharper image.
- Dedicated Telephoto + Portrait Camera: Offers a dedicated telephoto camera for portrait shots, which the S23+ lacks.
- Wider Angle + Macro Camera: Offers ultrawide and macro camera in a single lens
- Slightly Faster Wireless Charging: 15W wireless charging.
- Noise cancellation microphone: Improved call quality by filtering surrounding noise.
- Lower Price: Older and typically more affordable compared to S23+.
Samsung Galaxy S23+ Advantages:
- Significantly faster processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a huge performance leap for demanding tasks and games.
- Larger and brighter display: Better for media consumption, gaming, and outdoor visibility.
- Significantly better main camera: Captures much more detail and performs better in low light.
- Dedicated Telephoto lens: Provides optical zoom capabilities.
- Dedicated Ultrawide lens: Captures expansive shots
- Larger battery: Offers longer battery life.
- Faster charging: Significantly reduces charging time.
- Newer software: Includes a newer version of Android and longer software update support.
- More storage options: Offers 256GB and 512GB configurations
- More Satellite Support: more location accuracy
- Better WiFi Connection Wi-Fi MiMO
- Hi-Res Audio
- Bypass charging: Can power phone directly without charging the battery.
- eSIM Support
Significant Trade-offs:
- S21 5G: Lower performance, less storage, and a smaller battery compared to S23+.
- S23+: More expensive, larger and heavier, which may not be ideal for users with smaller hands.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious buyers, users who prioritize a lighter phone, users who want a dedicated telephoto portrait camera, and users who don't need the highest performance or storage.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming.
- Users who prioritize portability and one-handed use.
- Users who value the telephoto portrait camera and macro lens.
- Users who want an affordable Samsung flagship experience.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for those who do not need the highest performance but want a flagship experience.
Samsung Galaxy S23+:
- Ideal Users: Performance enthusiasts, gamers, content creators, users who want the best display and camera, and those who want the latest features with longer support.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding games, video editing, and multitasking.
- Heavy media consumption and outdoor use.
- Photography enthusiasts who want the best main camera.
- Users who want a future-proof device with the latest software and features.
- Price-to-Value: High value for those who need top-tier performance and features and are willing to invest in it.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider:
- What is your budget? If you have a strict budget and don't require cutting-edge performance, the S21 5G can be a good option. The S23+ is more expensive but also has the latest features.
- What will be your main use cases? If you're a gamer or do a lot of video editing, the S23+ is the way to go. If it's for social media and casual use, S21 5G is good enough.
- Do you need a pocket-friendly device? If so, the S21 5G is lighter and smaller. The S23+ is noticeably larger and heavier.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious and needs basic smartphone functionality
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. It provides a good overall experience with a decent camera at a more affordable price.
- Scenario 2: Mobile gamer/power user who wants the best performance
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S23+. The significantly faster processor and GPU provide a far superior experience.
- Scenario 3: Needs a pocket friendly phone with a good camera
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. It provides a good camera system and is more compact and lighter.
- Scenario 4: User prioritizes camera quality and future-proofing
* **Recommendation:** Samsung Galaxy S23+. It offers far better main camera performance, dedicated telephoto and ultrawide lens, and longer software update support.
Personal Choice
If I had to choose between these two devices, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23+. While the S21 5G is a very capable phone, the S23+ represents a significant step up in almost every aspect that matters to me. Here's why:
- Performance is paramount: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a huge leap in performance that translates to a much smoother and more enjoyable experience for gaming and other demanding tasks. I regularly use my smartphone for tasks that benefit from a powerful processor.
- Camera Quality: I take a lot of pictures with my smartphone, and the S23+'s main camera has a much larger sensor and higher resolution. The addition of dedicated telephoto and ultrawide lenses makes it a much more versatile photography tool than the S21 5G.
- Battery Life: A larger battery means less time worrying about running out of power in the middle of the day. The faster charging is also a significant plus for me.
- Future-Proofing: I like to use my phone for a few years before upgrading, so getting a device that will receive more OS updates is important to me. The S23+ also has newer connectivity features like Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi MiMO, that provide better experience in the long run.
- Display: The larger and brighter display is significantly better for content consumption and readability outdoors.
While the S21 5G has its advantages, the S23+ offers more of what I value in a modern smartphone: excellent performance, a superior camera system, a better display, and a larger battery. The price is a consideration, but for me, the benefits of the S23+ outweigh the additional cost.
