Galaxy S21 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S23+ • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, launched in February 2023, are both premium Android smartphones from Samsung's flagship S series. While they share a common lineage, the Galaxy S23 Plus introduces advancements in processing power, camera technology, and display brightness, reflecting two years of technological evolution.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

• Software Updates: The Galaxy S21 5G was released with Android 11 and received four major OS updates, with its last major OS update being Android 15 (One UI 7). Security updates for the S21 series are expected to conclude around January or February 2026. In contrast, the Galaxy S23 Plus launched with Android 13 and is guaranteed to receive four major OS upgrades, extending its support to Android 17, along with five years of security updates, projected to last until 2028.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. However, the Galaxy S23 Plus incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, along with an Armor Aluminum frame, offering enhanced protection against drops and scratches compared to the Galaxy S21 5G's Gorilla Glass Victus front and plastic back.
• Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing extended software support and the latest security patches will find the Galaxy S23 Plus offers a longer practical lifespan due to its newer release and extended update commitment. The S21 5G, while still functional, is nearing the end of its official software support cycle.

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal components, impacting everything from app responsiveness to multitasking capabilities.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a more advanced and efficient processor compared to the Galaxy S21 5G. This translates to smoother operation, faster app loading times, and more capable handling of demanding applications and graphics-intensive games. Users often report the S23 Plus feels notably faster and more fluid in daily use.
• Battery Endurance: The Galaxy S23 Plus is equipped with a larger 4700 mAh battery, compared to the 4000 mAh battery in the Galaxy S21 5G. Coupled with its more power-efficient processor, the S23 Plus generally offers significantly longer battery life, often lasting a full day or more for many users, even with moderate to heavy usage. The S21 5G's battery life, while generally sufficient for a day of average use, may require more frequent charging for heavy users.
• Storage and Multitasking: Both devices come with 8GB of RAM, providing capable multitasking performance. However, the Galaxy S23 Plus offers higher maximum internal storage options, up to 512GB, while the Galaxy S21 5G is available with up to 256GB. Neither model includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage.

The visual experience is a core aspect of smartphone usage, and both devices offer high-quality displays with some notable differences.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S21 5G and Galaxy S23 Plus feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. They both offer a Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 for S21 5G, 2340 x 1080 for S23 Plus), providing sharp and clear visuals for everyday content consumption.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: A significant difference lies in brightness. The Galaxy S23 Plus boasts a higher peak brightness of 1750 nits, making it exceptionally visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The Galaxy S21 5G, with a peak brightness of 1300 nits, still offers good visibility but may struggle more under direct sunlight.
• Size and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a larger 6.6-inch display, offering a more expansive viewing area compared to the Galaxy S21 5G's 6.2-inch screen. Both devices support an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations.

Camera capabilities are a major consideration for many users, and both phones offer versatile camera systems with distinct strengths.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S23 Plus features a 50MP main wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S21 5G comes with a 12MP main wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto lens that uses a hybrid zoom approach. The S23 Plus's dedicated optical zoom telephoto lens generally provides clearer zoomed-in shots.
• Photography Performance: The S23 Plus often delivers improved image processing, better dynamic range, and enhanced low-light performance compared to the S21 5G, resulting in more detailed and well-exposed photos across various conditions. While the S21 5G's camera is still capable, some users have noted that its processing can sometimes lead to over-sharpened images.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both phones are capable of recording 8K video, with the S23 Plus supporting 8K at 30 frames per second, an improvement over the S21 5G's 8K at 24 frames per second. For selfies, the Galaxy S23 Plus has a 12MP front camera, a slight upgrade from the Galaxy S21 5G's 10MP front camera.