Galaxy S21 5G • Unlocked vs iPhone 16 Pro • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, and the iPhone 16 Pro, launched in September 2024, represent different generations and operating system ecosystems within the smartphone landscape. While the Galaxy S21 5G runs on Android, offering a customizable experience, the iPhone 16 Pro operates on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated services and consistent user interface. The primary differentiators between these two devices lie in their release timelines, which impact their processing power, camera capabilities, and long-term software support.

Considering their respective release dates, the expected practical lifespan and software support differ significantly between these two devices.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 5G, released in early 2021, typically received four years of major Android operating system updates, concluding around Android 15/One UI 7, and five years of security updates, which likely ended around January or February 2026. In contrast, the iPhone 16 Pro, launched in late 2024, is expected to receive major iOS updates for approximately five to seven years, with security patches extending even longer, potentially until around 2036. This means the iPhone 16 Pro offers a considerably longer period of access to new features and security enhancements.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 5G has been noted for a repairability score around 7.5 out of 10 by some assessments, with its plastic back on the base model making disassembly somewhat easier, though the battery can be challenging to remove due to strong adhesive. The iPhone 16 Pro, however, marks a significant improvement in repairability for Apple devices, achieving an iFixit score of 7 out of 10. It features a dual-entry design allowing access from both the front and back, modular components, and a metal-encased battery for safer repairs.
• Expected Lifespan: For users prioritizing the latest software and features, the Galaxy S21 5G is nearing the end of its official update cycle, while the iPhone 16 Pro offers many years of guaranteed software and security support. Both devices are built with durable materials, but the newer iPhone's design improvements contribute to easier maintenance over its extended lifespan.

The performance capabilities of these two smartphones reflect the technological advancements made over their respective release periods.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 5G is powered by a flagship processor from 2021, which capably handles everyday applications, multitasking, and moderate gaming. It provides a responsive experience for general use. The iPhone 16 Pro, featuring a cutting-edge processor from 2024, delivers significantly enhanced performance. This allows for exceptionally smooth operation across all tasks, including highly demanding applications, advanced mobile gaming, and complex computational photography, with substantial headroom for future software.
• Multitasking and Storage: Both devices offer various internal storage configurations to suit different user needs. The Galaxy S21 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM, enabling efficient multitasking. The iPhone 16 Pro is also expected to feature ample RAM, ensuring seamless transitions between numerous open applications and robust performance for professional-grade tasks like video editing on the device.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 5G is equipped with a 4000 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of moderate use, though heavy usage, especially with 5G connectivity, may require more frequent charging. The iPhone 16 Pro includes a larger battery capacity compared to its predecessor, designed to offer extended usage times, with Apple reporting up to 27 hours of video playback. This suggests that the iPhone 16 Pro is engineered for prolonged use, even with its more powerful components and advanced display.

The visual experience offered by these devices showcases advancements in display technology over several years.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 5G features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a slightly larger 6.3-inch OLED display, offering a higher resolution of 2622 x 1206 pixels, which translates to even finer detail and clarity for viewing content.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones offer excellent brightness levels suitable for various lighting conditions. The Galaxy S21 5G features an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The iPhone 16 Pro also incorporates an adaptive refresh rate, known as ProMotion technology, ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. This dynamic adjustment optimizes power efficiency while providing a consistently smooth visual experience.
• Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S21 5G provides a compact yet immersive viewing experience with its flat display. The iPhone 16 Pro's slightly larger screen and slimmer bezels enhance the overall viewing area, making it well-suited for media consumption and productivity tasks.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but the iPhone 16 Pro benefits from several years of technological advancements in mobile photography.

• Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto lens, providing 3x optical zoom. It is capable of recording 8K video at 24fps and 4K at 60fps. The iPhone 16 Pro boasts an advanced triple-camera system, including a 48MP main sensor, a new 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. This system is designed for superior detail capture and flexibility.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 5G delivers good everyday photos with vibrant colors and effective scene optimization for its generation. Its Night mode was an improvement for its time. The iPhone 16 Pro is expected to excel in various lighting conditions, particularly with significant improvements in low-light performance and computational photography, offering features like 48MP ProRAW and HEIF photos with zero shutter lag.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both devices offer high-quality video recording. The iPhone 16 Pro pushes boundaries with 4K video recording at 120fps in Dolby Vision, a feature designed for professional-grade video capture. Both phones include stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience during media consumption. The iPhone 16 Pro also features an upgraded microphone system for clearer calls and recordings.