Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S27
Compare Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S27 side by side: Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 for Galaxy, 12MP…
Samsung
Galaxy S21 5G
$799
1categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S27
$899
15categories won
6 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S27 takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S27 proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S27 leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S27. Choose the Galaxy S27 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S21 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy S27 takes battery honors offering 4,300 mAh alongside 45W charging.
Galaxy S27 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 for Galaxy and 16GB RAM.
Galaxy S27 takes photography with 50MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S21 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $799 vs $899.
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 S27: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S27 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.36" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 |
| Pixel density | 424 ppi | 414 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1300 nits | 3200 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S27 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 5 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 820,000 | 3,200,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3720 | 10800Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S27 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 10 MP | 16 MPWinner |
| Max video | 8K at 24fps / 4K at 60fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S27 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,000 mAh | 4,300 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 45 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S27 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 169 g | 169 g |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 7.2 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aluminum frame, glastic back, Gorilla Glass Victus front | Grade 5 Titanium frame, Ceramic Glass front and back |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S27 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 11 | Android 17 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 5 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S27 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | $899 |
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 S27
The Galaxy S27 represents the pinnacle of compact engineering for 2027, packing Qualcomm’s 2nm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 into a svelte 7.2mm titanium frame with 4,300 mAh silicon-carbon capacity and full 50MP triple optics.
- Display
- 6.36"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,300mAh