Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 side by side: Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 5G
$799
2categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26
$790
12categories won
8 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S26 leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S26. Choose the Galaxy S26 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 5G if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 takes battery honors offering 4,300 mAh alongside 25W charging.
Galaxy S26 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 and 12GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 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 S26: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.3" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400Winner | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 424 ppiWinner | 409 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1300 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 820,000 | 3,064,672Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3720 | 10824Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 4,300 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 169 g | 167 g |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 7.2 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, glastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 5 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | $799 | $790 |
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 S26
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a premium compact smartphone suited for buyers who want top-tier performance without the bulk. Priced at $789.99, it pairs a powerful 2nm processor and exceptional seven-year update support with a bright 6.3-inch LTPO display, though its 25W charging speeds lag behind the competition.
- Display
- 6.3"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,300mAh