Galaxy S21 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S9 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S9, launched in March 2018, are both flagship smartphones from Samsung's popular Galaxy S series. While both devices run on the Android operating system, they represent different generations of mobile technology. The Galaxy S21 5G introduces significant advancements in processing power, camera capabilities, and display technology, reflecting several years of innovation compared to its predecessor.

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its release timeline and the duration of software support it receives.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 5G, released in early 2021, launched with Android 11 and typically received four major Android operating system updates, extending its software features and compatibility. Its security updates concluded around January 2026. In contrast, the Galaxy S9, released in early 2018, launched with Android 8.0 Oreo and received updates up to Android 10, with security updates ending around March 2022. This means the Galaxy S21 5G offers a significantly longer period of current software and security support.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, indicating protection against immersion in water. The Galaxy S21 5G incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus on its front display for enhanced scratch and drop resistance, while the Galaxy S9 uses Gorilla Glass 5 on both its front and back.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 5G has been noted for a repairability score around 7.5 out of 10 by some assessments, partly due to modular components and a detachable display cable. However, other evaluations, like iFixit, rated it lower at 4 out of 10, citing challenges with battery adhesive and screen fragility. The Galaxy S9 received a consistent repairability score of 4 out of 10 from iFixit, primarily due to its glass construction and strong adhesive making internal access difficult, particularly for battery and display replacements.

Performance differences between these two generations are notable, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the devices handle demanding tasks.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 5G benefits from a significantly newer and more efficient processor, allowing it to handle demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphic-intensive games with greater responsiveness and speed. Users will experience quicker app loading times and smoother transitions. The Galaxy S9, while a capable device in its time, will show its age with slower performance in modern, resource-intensive scenarios.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The Galaxy S9, with 4GB of RAM, may experience more frequent app reloads and slower switching between tasks, especially when many applications are open.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 5G features a 4000 mAh battery, which, combined with its more power-efficient components, generally provides a full day of use for many users. The Galaxy S9 has a 3000 mAh battery, and users often reported that it required more frequent charging, particularly with heavy usage, even when it was a newer device.

Both devices offer high-quality displays, but the newer Galaxy S21 5G incorporates advancements that enhance the visual experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 5G features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Its resolution is 2400 x 1080 pixels (FHD+). The Galaxy S9 has a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a higher resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), resulting in a slightly higher pixel density. Both displays support HDR content for improved dynamic range.
• Smoothness and Brightness: A key difference is the refresh rate; the Galaxy S21 5G offers a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing a noticeably smoother scrolling experience and more fluid animations compared to the Galaxy S9's standard 60Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S21 5G also achieves a peak brightness of 1300 nits, which can be beneficial for outdoor visibility, while the Galaxy S9 reaches around 864 nits.
• Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S21 5G's slightly larger screen size and higher refresh rate contribute to a more immersive and responsive viewing experience, particularly for media consumption and gaming. While the Galaxy S9's display offers higher pixel density, the practical difference in sharpness for most users at typical viewing distances is minimal.

The camera systems on these two smartphones reflect the evolution of mobile photography over several years, with the Galaxy S21 5G offering a more versatile setup.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 5G features a triple-lens rear camera system, including a 12MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x hybrid zoom and OIS, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. This provides greater flexibility for different shooting scenarios. The Galaxy S9 has a single 12MP rear camera with OIS and a variable aperture (f/1.5 and f/2.4), which was innovative for its time, allowing it to adapt to various lighting conditions.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 5G generally offers improved low-light performance, better detail retention, and more advanced computational photography features due to its newer processor and sensor technology. Its multiple lenses allow for dedicated ultrawide shots and optical-assisted zoom. The Galaxy S9's variable aperture was designed to excel in low light, and it still captures good images, but it lacks the versatility of the S21 5G's multiple focal lengths.
• Video Recording and Audio: The Galaxy S21 5G supports 8K video recording at 24 frames per second and 4K at 30/60 frames per second, along with advanced stabilization features. The Galaxy S9 can record 4K video at 60 frames per second (with a time limit) and offers super slow-motion at 960 frames per second (720p). Both devices provide good microphone quality for calls and recording, and their stereo speakers offer a decent media consumption experience.