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Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S21: Should you upgrade?
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S21: At a glance
- The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus has a higher resolution display than the S21 Plus.
- The Galaxy S24 Plus supports faster charging.
- Samsung promises seven years of major OS upgrades and security updates with the Galaxy S24 series.
- The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus have a better camera system.
- The Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus are more powerful.
- All four smartphones come with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S21: Specs
Samsung Galaxy S24 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S21 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Display | Samsung Galaxy S24 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED FHD+ (2,340 x 1,080) 120Hz adaptive refresh rate | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED QHD+ (3,120 x 1,440) 120Hz adaptive refresh rate | Samsung Galaxy S21 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED FHD+ (2,400 x 1,080) 120Hz refresh rate | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED FHD+ (2,400 x 1,080) 120Hz refresh rate |
Processor | Samsung Galaxy S24 US: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy Global: Samsung Exynos 2400 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus US: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy Global: Samsung Exynos 2400 | Samsung Galaxy S21 US: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Global: Samsung Exynos 2100 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus US: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Global: Samsung Exynos 2100 |
RAM | Samsung Galaxy S24 8GB | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 12GB | Samsung Galaxy S21 8GB | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 8GB |
Storage | Samsung Galaxy S24 128GB or 256GB No expandable storage | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 256GB or 512GB No expandable storage | Samsung Galaxy S21 128GB or 256GB No expandable storage | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 128GB or 256GB No expandable storage |
Battery and charging | Samsung Galaxy S24 4,000mAh battery 25W wired charging 15W wireless charging Reverse wireless charging | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 4,900mAh battery 45W wired charging 15W wireless charging Reverse wireless charging | Samsung Galaxy S21 4,000mAh battery 25W wired charging 15W wireless charging Reverse wireless charging | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 4,800mAh battery 25W wired charging 15W wireless charging Reverse wireless charging |
Cameras | Samsung Galaxy S24 Rear: - 50MP main ƒ/1.8 aperture, OIS - 12MP ultrawide ƒ/2.2 aperture - 10MP telephoto ƒ/2.4 aperture, 3x optical zoom Front: - 12MP ƒ/2.2 aperture | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus Rear: - 50MP main ƒ/1.8 aperture, OIS - 12MP ultrawide ƒ/2.2 aperture - 10MP telephoto ƒ/2.4 aperture, 3x optical zoom Front: - 12MP ƒ/2.2 aperture | Samsung Galaxy S21 Rear: - 12MP main ƒ/1.8 aperture, OIS - 64MP telephoto ƒ/2.0 aperture, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom - 12MP ultrawide ƒ/2.2 aperture Front: - 10MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Rear: - 12MP main ƒ/1.8 aperture, OIS - 64MP telephoto ƒ/2.0 aperture, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom - 12MP ultrawide ƒ/2.2 aperture Front: - 10MP, ƒ/2.2 aperture |
Security | Samsung Galaxy S24 In-display fingerprint, face unlock | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus In-display fingerprint, face unlock | Samsung Galaxy S21 In-display fingerprint, face unlock | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus In-display fingerprint, face unlock |
Water resistance | Samsung Galaxy S24 IP68 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus IP68 | Samsung Galaxy S21 IP68 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus IP68 |
Connectivity | Samsung Galaxy S24 Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 NFC support | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 NFC support | Samsung Galaxy S21 Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 NFC support | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 NFC support |
Software | Samsung Galaxy S24 One UI 6.1 Android 14 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus One UI 6.1 Android 14 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Android 11 Upgradeable to Android 14 (One UI 6) | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Android 11 Upgradeable to Android 14 (One UI 6) |
Dimensions and weight | Samsung Galaxy S24 147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6mm 167g | Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm 196g | Samsung Galaxy S21 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm 169g | Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8mm 200g |
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S21: Price and availability
Samsung Galaxy S24
- 8GB/128GB: $799.99
- 8GB/256GB: $859.99
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
- 12GB/256GB: $999.99
- 12GB/512GB: $1,119.99
- Samsung Galaxy S21: Launched at $799.99
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus: Launched at $999.99
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus were announced on January 17, 2024, and were available on general sale on January 31. They are priced from $799 and $999, respectively. Notably, this is unchanged from the S21 and S21 Plus, as their standard models launched at $799 and $999, respectively, three years ago. The Galaxy S21 series smartphones are no longer on sale, but you can find used and refurbished models from third-party sellers on Amazon and other online stores, with prices around the $500 or $250 mark for a refurbished S21 Plus and standard S21.
Neat AI features
Robust battery life
Excellent update commitment
Handy Galaxy AI features
Great design
Solid camera system
Powerful processor
Eye-catching new design
Excellent battery life
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S21: Should you upgrade?
The Galaxy S24 isn’t as big of an upgrade over the Galaxy S21 as you’d expect, even though the latter is three years old at this point. Yes, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a much faster processor, but the Snapdragon 888 is still capable enough. Most other hardware features, from the battery and charging speeds to RAM, storage, and dust and water resistance, remain the same.
The S24 does get a solid camera upgrade, though, with its 50MP primary camera, 10MP telephoto lens, and 12MP ultrawide shooter, and made even better with Galaxy AI’s camera features, which includes Samsung’s take on Magic Editor. But the Galaxy S21, with its 12MP main camera, 64MP telephoto lens, and 12MP ultrawide, was one of the best of its time and remains excellent, even if it won’t have all the software bells and whistles of the new smartphones.
It’s on the software side where the majority of the changes are. One UI 6.1, based on Android 14, brings Galaxy AI and interesting features like live translation, transcription services, chat assistance, webpage summarization, and more. Samsung’s software commitment to the Galaxy S24 series is also impressive, with seven years of major OS and security updates. On the other hand, the Galaxy S21 has another year of OS updates and a couple of years of security updates remaining.
Ultimately, unless you want to get your hands on the latest and greatest, or there’s a great trade-in deal, you could hold on to the Galaxy S21 for another year or so.
The story on the Plus side of things is completely different, though. While with previous iterations, the Galaxy S Plus was essentially the standard version with a larger display and battery, the Galaxy S24 Plus is a much better attempt at bridging the gap between the standard S24 and S24 Ultra.
The Galaxy S24 Plus is closer to the S24 Ultra than ever before and is a huge upgrade over its predecessors
The Galaxy S24 Plus has a higher-resolution QHD+ display, faster 45W wired charging, and 12GB of RAM, compared to the S21 Plus’ FHD+ screen, 25W charging, and 8GB of RAM. That’s aside from the expected upgrades to the processor, better camera system, the slew of new AI-driven software and camera features, and the significant software update commitment.
It’s still okay to hold on to the Galaxy S21 Plus if you’re happy with it. But if you’re looking for a true upgrade, you get one when jumping from the S21 Plus to the Galaxy S24 Plus.
Will you upgrade from the Galaxy S21 to the S24?
FAQs
Yes, the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus, Galaxy S24, and Galaxy S24 Plus come with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
No, neither the Galaxy S21 nor the Galaxy S24 feature expandable storage via a microSD card slot.
No, the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S24 don’t have headphone jacks.
Yes, all Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S24 series smartphones support 5G.
Yes, the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S24 can be charged wirelessly. You get 15W wireless charging with compatible fast chargers, and 10W charging with regular Qi chargers.