Galaxy S21+ vs iPhone 17

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

Comparing 2 devicesSwipe across ⇄

Samsung · 2021

Galaxy S21+

77/ 100

Launch MSRP$999 USD

Apple · 2025

iPhone 17

77/ 100

Launch MSRP$799 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Galaxy S21+ BETTER THAN iPhone 17?

Tap an area on the radar to inspect category hardware facts

Galaxy S21+Winner 🏆

iPhone 17

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S21+	iPhone 17	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	4,800 mAh	3,692 mAh	+4,800 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W	40W	40W Max
Main Camera Sensor	12 MP	48 MP	48 MP
Screen Display Size	6.7"	6.3"	6.7"
Chassis Weight	200g	177g	177g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

Swipe across ⇄

Reasons to buy Galaxy S21+:

✓Larger 4,800 mAh battery capacity (+1,108 mAh more capacity)
✓12MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.7" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

Reasons to buy iPhone 17:

✓23g lighter chassis (177g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓$200 lower launch MSRP ($799 vs $999)
✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

Swipe across ⇄

Specification	Galaxy S21+	iPhone 17
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 17 Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Screen Size	6.7"	6.3"
Resolution & Density	2400x1080 (393 ppi)	2622x1206 (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	1,300 nits peak	3,000 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 Galaxy S21+ Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 11	iOS 26
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	8 GB LPDDR	8 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB	256GB / 512GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 17 Wins Camera
Primary Camera	12 MP, f/1.8, OIS	48 MP, f/1.6, OIS, Fusion 48MP
Telephoto Zoom	64 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2, OIS	None (Digital zoom only)
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	48 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	10 MP, f/2.2	18 MP, f/1.9
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 iPhone 17 Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm	149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm
Weight	200 g	177 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Galaxy S21+ Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	4,800 mAh	3,692 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W wired fast charging	40W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	25W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	5.0	6.0
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 3.2	USB-C 2.0
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$999	$799

Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S21+ edges ahead with a BeastScore of 77.0/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S21+ ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose Galaxy S21+:

Higher overall BeastScore: 77.0 vs top rival 76.9 · Larger battery capacity: 4,800 mAh (+1,108 mAh more)

When to choose iPhone 17:

Significantly faster wired charging: 40W vs max 25W · Higher resolution main sensor: 48 MP vs max 12 MP

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S21+ vs iPhone 17

Which is better: Galaxy S21+ or iPhone 17?

Galaxy S21+ leads with an overall BeastScore of 77.0/100 compared to iPhone 17 (76.9/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 77.0 vs top rival 76.9 and Larger battery capacity: 4,800 mAh (+1,108 mAh more).