Galaxy A23 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S21 5G • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G (released in August 2022) and the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (released in January 2021) represent different segments of Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on the Android platform, the Galaxy S21 5G was a flagship offering with premium features, whereas the Galaxy A23 5G is positioned as a mid-range device focusing on core functionalities and connectivity. Key differences lie in their display technology, processing power, and camera capabilities.

The expected lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its initial release date, software support, and physical durability. These two devices, released about a year and a half apart, offer different trajectories for long-term use.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 5G, launched with Android 11, has received its final major operating system update, Android 15 (One UI 7.0), by early 2025. It is expected to receive security updates until January or February 2026. In contrast, the Galaxy A23 5G, which launched with Android 12, is slated to receive two major Android OS upgrades, bringing it up to Android 15 by mid-2025, and will continue to receive security updates for a total of four years from its release, with patches arriving quarterly for the first two years and then biannually.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S21 5G features a glass front with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection, a plastic back, and an aluminum frame, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating a higher level of protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy A23 5G utilizes Gorilla Glass 5 for its display and has a plastic build, but it does not carry an official IP rating for water and dust resistance.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 5G generally scores well in repairability, with some sources giving it a score around 7.5 out of 10, noting its ease of disassembly and modular components, though the battery can be challenging to remove due to strong adhesive. The Galaxy A23 5G has a repairability score of approximately 6.75 out of 10, with its back plate and camera lens covers being replaceable, and the battery also being removable with appropriate tools and adhesive removal.

Performance is a key differentiator, with the Galaxy S21 5G offering a more robust experience due to its flagship-tier components, while the Galaxy A23 5G provides reliable performance for everyday tasks.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 5G is equipped with a high-performance processor, enabling it to handle demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy games with smooth responsiveness. The Galaxy A23 5G features a mid-range processor that capably manages daily applications, web browsing, and moderate multitasking, providing a generally fluid user experience for typical usage.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S21 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM, supporting seamless transitions between multiple open applications. It offers internal storage options of 128GB or 256GB, but does not include a microSD card slot for expansion. The Galaxy A23 5G is available with 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, with the added flexibility of expandable storage via a microSDXC card slot, which can be useful for users who require more space for media and files.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 5G houses a 4000mAh battery, which generally provides sufficient power for a full day of moderate use, with support for 25W fast wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The Galaxy A23 5G features a larger 5000mAh battery, often resulting in extended usage times, with many users reporting it can last through a full day of heavy use or even longer with lighter usage. It also supports 25W fast charging.

The visual experience on these devices differs significantly, primarily due to their display technologies and brightness capabilities.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 5G features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. It offers a resolution of 2400x1080 pixels (FHD+), resulting in sharp and clear visuals. The Galaxy A23 5G comes with a larger 6.6-inch IPS LCD screen, also with a 2408x1080 pixel (FHD+) resolution, providing good clarity and color accuracy, though it does not achieve the same level of contrast or black levels as an AMOLED panel.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S21 5G's AMOLED display can reach a peak brightness of 1300 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. Both devices offer a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which contributes to smoother scrolling and a more fluid visual experience, particularly noticeable during gaming or navigating user interfaces. The Galaxy A23 5G's LCD panel has a lower typical brightness, which might make it less comfortable to view under direct sunlight compared to the S21 5G.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy A23 5G's larger 6.6-inch display offers more screen real estate, which can be beneficial for media consumption and productivity tasks. The Galaxy S21 5G's 6.2-inch display provides a more compact form factor, making it easier for one-handed use. Both displays offer a sharp viewing experience for their respective sizes.

The camera systems on these two smartphones cater to different user expectations, with the Galaxy S21 5G offering a more advanced and versatile setup.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 5G features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP wide-angle lens (with optical image stabilization), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens (with optical image stabilization and 3x hybrid optical zoom). This configuration allows for a wide range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed zoomed-in shots. The Galaxy A23 5G is equipped with a quad-camera system, including a 50MP main sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. The 50MP main camera performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing detailed images.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 5G delivers excellent overall photography performance, with strong low-light capabilities, good dynamic range, and natural color reproduction. Its advanced stabilization features contribute to sharp photos and stable video. The Galaxy A23 5G's main camera produces good results in well-lit environments, but its ultra-wide and macro lenses offer more basic performance. Low-light photos from the A23 5G's main camera are decent, especially with Night Mode, though quality can vary.
• Video Recording and Audio: The Galaxy S21 5G is capable of recording video at up to 8K resolution, offering high-quality video capture with good stabilization. Its microphone quality is generally clear for calls and recordings, and the speakers provide a rich audio experience for media consumption. The Galaxy A23 5G supports video recording up to 1080p at 30 frames per second, as its processor does not support 4K video capture. The audio output from its single bottom-firing speaker is functional for casual listening.