Samsung Galaxy A15 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Compare Samsung Galaxy A15 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S21 5G side by side: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ vs Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm), 50MP vs 12MP camera…
Samsung
Galaxy A15 5G
$199
5categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S21 5G
$799
11categories won
5 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. For battery longevity and charging speed, the Galaxy A15 5G takes the lead, while the Galaxy S21 5G is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the Galaxy S21 5G if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy A15 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy A15 5G wins on endurance with 5,000 mAh and 25W fast charging.
Galaxy S21 5G provides greater sustained gaming output with its Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) and 8GB RAM.
Galaxy S21 5G takes photography with 12MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy A15 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $199 vs $799.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Galaxy A15 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy A15 5G | Galaxy S21 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.5" | 6.2" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2400Winner |
| Pixel density | 396 ppi | 424 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 90 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 800 nits | 1300 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy A15 5G | Galaxy S21 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| Process node | 6 nm | 5 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 380,000 | 820,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 1930 | 3720Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Maximum storage | 256GBWinner | 128GB |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy A15 5G | Galaxy S21 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 50 MPWinner | 12 MP |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | — | 3x |
| Ultrawide | 5 MP | 12 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 13 MPWinner | 10 MP |
| Max video | 1080p at 30fps | 8K at 24fps / 4K at 60fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy A15 5G | Galaxy S21 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 mAhWinner | 4,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | No | 15 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy A15 5G | Galaxy S21 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 200 g | 169 gWinner |
| Thickness | 8.4 mm | 7.9 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | None | IP68 |
| Build | Polycarbonate frame and back, glass front | Aluminum frame, glastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy A15 5G | Galaxy S21 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 14 | Android 11 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 4 years |
| Security updates | 5 years | 5 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy A15 5G | Galaxy S21 5G |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Storage expansion | microSD | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $199Winner | $799 |
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Ranked among the world’s top-selling smartphones, the Galaxy A15 5G replaced dreary budget LCDs with a vivid 90Hz Super AMOLED panel, 50MP main camera, 25W fast charging, 3.5mm audio jack, and 4 years of OS upgrades.
- Display
- 6.5"
- Chipset
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Highlighting Samsung's two-tone Contour-Cut camera housing and iconic Phantom Violet finish, the Galaxy S21 delivers 8K video capture, flat 120Hz AMOLED smoothness, and a featherlight 169g frame.
- Display
- 6.2"
- Chipset
- Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 4,000mAh