Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus side by side: Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 5G
$799
5categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S23 Plus
$999
10categories won
7 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S23 Plus leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S23 Plus. Choose the Galaxy S23 Plus if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy S23 Plus takes battery honors offering 4,700 mAh alongside 45W charging.
Galaxy S23 Plus provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4 nm) and 8GB RAM.
Galaxy S23 Plus takes photography with 50MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S21 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $799 vs $999.
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 Plus: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.6" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400Winner | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 424 ppiWinner | 390 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1300 nits | 1750 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4 nm) |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 820,000 | 3,200,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3720 | 10800Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 4,700 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 45 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 169 gWinner | 196 g |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 7.6 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, glastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back, Armor Aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| OS updates | 4 years | 4 years |
| Security updates | 5 yearsWinner | 4 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799Winner | $999 |
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 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus hit a flagship golden ratio with its customized Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, 4700 mAh battery, 45W charging, 1750-nit AMOLED screen, and comprehensive Galaxy AI suite.
- Display
- 6.6"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4 nm)
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,700mAh
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