Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S25
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S25 side by side: Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, 12MP vs…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 5G
$799
1categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S25
$799
12categories won
9 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S25 takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S25 proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S25 leads with superior optics, while battery life remains closely matched. Choose the Galaxy S25 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 S25 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and 12GB RAM.
Galaxy S25 takes photography with 50MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.
Both handsets sit in the exact same pricing bracket around $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 S25: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.2" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400Winner | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 424 ppi | 416 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1300 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 820,000 | 2,680,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3720 | 9650Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 4,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 169 g | 162 gWinner |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 7.2 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, glastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front | Enhanced Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front & back |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 15 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 5 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 |
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 S25
Weighing only 162 grams at 7.2mm thickness, the Galaxy S25 delivers full Snapdragon 8 Elite power, 12GB of RAM, a 120Hz LTPO display, and 3x optical telephoto in a pocket-friendly package.
- Display
- 6.2"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,000mAh