Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S23
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S23 side by side: Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, 12MP vs…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 5G
$799
1categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S23
$699
9categories won
12 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S23 takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S23 proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S23 leads with superior optics, while battery life remains closely matched. Choose the Galaxy S23 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 5G if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
Both phones deliver comparable battery performance with 4,000 mAh.
Galaxy S23 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy and 8GB RAM.
Galaxy S23 takes photography with 50MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S23 wins on budget and value at $699 compared to $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 S21 5G vs Galaxy S23: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.1" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400Winner | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 424 ppi | 422 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1300 nits | 1750 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 820,000 | 1,480,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3720 | 5280Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 256GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 10 MP | 12 MPWinner |
| Max video | 8K at 24fps / 4K at 60fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 60fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 3,900 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 169 g | 168 g |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 7.6 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, glastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front | Armor Aluminum frame, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 13 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 4 years |
| Security updates | 5 years | 5 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799 | $699Winner |
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
Samsung Galaxy S23
The Galaxy S23 combines the custom 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy with a 6.1-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, dedicated 3x telephoto camera, and 3900mAh battery inside a featherweight 168-gram frame.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 3,900mAh