Galaxy S21 5G vs Galaxy S24

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

Smartphone Battle

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Samsung · 2021

Galaxy S21 5G

81/ 100

Launch MSRP$799 USD

Samsung · 2024

Galaxy S24

82/ 100

Launch MSRP$799 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Galaxy S24 BETTER THAN Galaxy S21 5G?

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Galaxy S21 5G

Galaxy S24Winner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S21	Galaxy S24	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	4,000 mAh	4,000 mAh	4,000 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W	25W	25W
Main Camera Sensor	64 MP	50 MP	64 MP
Screen Display Size	6.2"	6.2"	6.2"
Chassis Weight	169g	167g	167g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S21 5G:

✓64MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.2" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

Reasons to buy Galaxy S24:

✓2g lighter chassis (167g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓50MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.2" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	Galaxy S21 5G	Galaxy S24
1. Display & Screen🏆 Galaxy S24 Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Screen Size	6.2"	6.2"
Resolution & Density	2400x1080 (421 ppi)	2340x1080 (416 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	1,300 nits peak	2,600 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 Galaxy S21 5G 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	Android 14
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	8 GB LPDDR	8 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB	128GB / 256GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S21 5G Wins Camera
Primary Camera	64 MP, f/1.8, OIS	50 MP, f/1.8, OIS, Samsung GN3
Telephoto Zoom	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	12 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	12 MP, f/2.2
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S24 Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm	147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm
Weight	169 g	167 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 5G Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	4,000 mAh	4,000 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W wired fast charging	25W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	15W 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 6E
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
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	$799	$799

Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S24 edges ahead with a BeastScore of 81.5/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S24 ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose Galaxy S21 5G:

Higher resolution main sensor: 64 MP vs max 50 MP

When to choose Galaxy S24:

Higher overall BeastScore: 81.5 vs top rival 80.8 · Brighter screen: 2,600 nits peak vs 1,300 nits

Upgrade GuideOwn the Galaxy S21 5G? See if upgrading to the Galaxy S24 is worth it

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Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S21 5G vs Galaxy S24

Which is better: Galaxy S21 5G or Galaxy S24?

Galaxy S24 leads with an overall BeastScore of 81.5/100 compared to Galaxy S21 5G (80.8/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 81.5 vs top rival 80.8 and Brighter screen: 2,600 nits peak vs 1,300 nits.