Galaxy S21vs Galaxy S23
Weighted overall score across performance, camera, battery, RAM, storage and display — plus the full spec sheet below.
Score Breakdown
Performance
Galaxy S21 75
Galaxy S23 95
Camera
Galaxy S21 32
Galaxy S23 25
Battery
Galaxy S21 67
Galaxy S23 65
RAM
Galaxy S21 50
Galaxy S23 50
Storage
Galaxy S21 50
Galaxy S23 100
Display
Galaxy S21 89
Galaxy S23 87
Full Specifications
Every field on record — expand a category to compare.
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
RAM
8GB RAM
8GB RAM
RAM
Galaxy S21 8GB RAM
Galaxy S23 8GB RAM
Body
169g, 7.9mm thickness
168g, 7.6mm thickness
Body
Galaxy S21 169g, 7.9mm thickness
Galaxy S23 168g, 7.6mm thickness
Video
4320p
4320p
Video
Galaxy S21 4320p
Galaxy S23 4320p
Camera
64MP
50MP
Camera
Galaxy S21 64MP
Galaxy S23 50MP
Battery
4000mAh
3900mAh
Battery
Galaxy S21 4000mAh
Galaxy S23 3900mAh
Chipset
Exynos 2100
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Chipset
Galaxy S21 Exynos 2100
Galaxy S23 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
OS
Android 11, up to 4 major OS updates
Android 13, up to 4 major OS updates
OS
Galaxy S21 Android 11, up to 4 major OS updates
Galaxy S23 Android 13, up to 4 major OS updates
Storage
128GB/256GB storage, no card slot
128GB/256GB/512GB storage, no card slot
Storage
Galaxy S21 128GB/256GB storage, no card slot
Galaxy S23 128GB/256GB/512GB storage, no card slot
Battery type
25W15W
25W15W
Battery type
Galaxy S21 25W15W
Galaxy S23 25W15W
Display resolution
1080x2400 pixels
1080x2340 pixels
Display resolution
Galaxy S21 1080x2400 pixels
Galaxy S23 1080x2340 pixels
Display size
6.2"
6.1"
Display size
Galaxy S21 6.2"
Galaxy S23 6.1"
Release date
Cancelled
Released 2023, February 17
Release date
Galaxy S21 Cancelled
Galaxy S23 Released 2023, February 17
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Technology
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Technology
Galaxy S21 GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
Galaxy S23 GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
2G bands
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
2G bands
Galaxy S21 GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Galaxy S23 GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
3G bands
Galaxy S21 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
Galaxy S23 HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
4G bands
Galaxy S21 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
Galaxy S23 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
Speed
HSPA, LTE
HSPA, LTE (CA), 5G
Speed
Galaxy S21 HSPA, LTE
Galaxy S23 HSPA, LTE (CA), 5G
5G bands
—
1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
5G bands
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Announced
Not announced yet
2023, February 01
Announced
Galaxy S21 Not announced yet
Galaxy S23 2023, February 01
Status
Cancelled
Available. Released 2023, February 17
Status
Galaxy S21 Cancelled
Galaxy S23 Available. Released 2023, February 17
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Dimensions
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.30 in)
Dimensions
Galaxy S21 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
Galaxy S23 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.30 in)
Weight
169 g (5.96 oz)
168 g (5.93 oz)
Weight
Galaxy S21 169 g (5.96 oz)
Galaxy S23 168 g (5.93 oz)
Build
Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Build
Galaxy S21 Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Galaxy S23 Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
SIM
· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
SIM
Galaxy S21 · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Galaxy S23 · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Type
Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
Type
Galaxy S21 Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Galaxy S23 Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
Size
6.2 inches, 94.1 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)
6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Size
Galaxy S21 6.2 inches, 94.1 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Galaxy S23 6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution
1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~421 ppi density)
1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density)
Resolution
Galaxy S21 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~421 ppi density)
Galaxy S23 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density)
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Protection
Galaxy S21 Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Galaxy S23 Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
OS
Android 11, up to 4 major OS updates, One UI 6.1
Android 13, up to 4 major OS updates, One UI 8.5
OS
Galaxy S21 Android 11, up to 4 major OS updates, One UI 6.1
Galaxy S23 Android 13, up to 4 major OS updates, One UI 8.5
Chipset
Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
Chipset
Galaxy S21 Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
Galaxy S23 Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPU
Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
CPU
Galaxy S21 Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
Galaxy S23 Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU
Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660
Adreno 740
GPU
Galaxy S21 Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660
Galaxy S23 Adreno 740
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Card slot
No
No
Card slot
Galaxy S21 No
Galaxy S23 No
Internal
128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
Internal
Galaxy S21 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Galaxy S23 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Triple
12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Triple
Galaxy S21 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Galaxy S23 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Features
LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Features
Galaxy S21 LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Galaxy S23 LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Video
8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Video
Galaxy S21 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Galaxy S23 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Single
10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Single
Galaxy S21 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Galaxy S23 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Features
HDR
HDR, HDR10+
Features
Galaxy S21 HDR
Galaxy S23 HDR, HDR10+
Video
4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Video
Galaxy S21 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Galaxy S23 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Loudspeaker
Yes, with stereo speakers
Yes, with stereo speakers
Loudspeaker
Galaxy S21 Yes, with stereo speakers
Galaxy S23 Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack
No
No
3.5mm jack
Galaxy S21 No
Galaxy S23 No
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
WLAN
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
WLAN
Galaxy S21 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Galaxy S23 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth
5.0, A2DP, LE
5.3, A2DP, LE
Bluetooth
Galaxy S21 5.0, A2DP, LE
Galaxy S23 5.3, A2DP, LE
Positioning
GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Positioning
Galaxy S21 GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Galaxy S23 GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
NFC
Yes
Yes
NFC
Galaxy S21 Yes
Galaxy S23 Yes
Radio
FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
No
Radio
Galaxy S21 FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
Galaxy S23 No
USB
USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
USB
Galaxy S21 USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
Galaxy S23 USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Sensors
Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Sensors
Galaxy S21 Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Galaxy S23 Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Type
Li-Ion 4000 mAh
Li-Ion 3900 mAh
Type
Galaxy S21 Li-Ion 4000 mAh
Galaxy S23 Li-Ion 3900 mAh
Charging
25W wired, PD3.0
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless
25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless
Charging
Galaxy S21 25W wired, PD3.0
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless
Galaxy S23 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min
15W wireless (Qi)
4.5W reverse wireless
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Colors
Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink
Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
Colors
Galaxy S21 Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink
Galaxy S23 Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
Models
SM-G990F, SM-G990F/DS
SM-S911B, SM-S911B/DS, SM-S911U, SM-S911U1, SM-S911W, SM-S911N, SM-S9110, SM-S911E, SM-S911E/DS
Models
Galaxy S21 SM-G990F, SM-G990F/DS
Galaxy S23 SM-S911B, SM-S911B/DS, SM-S911U, SM-S911U1, SM-S911W, SM-S911N, SM-S9110, SM-S911E, SM-S911E/DS
SAR
—
0.95 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body)
SAR
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 0.95 W/kg (head) 0.88 W/kg (body)
SAR EU
—
0.96 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body)
SAR EU
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body)
Price
—
$ 259.50 / £ 230.00 / € 310.38 / ₹ 49,999
Price
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 $ 259.50 / £ 230.00 / € 310.38 / ₹ 49,999
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S23
Performance
—
AnTuTu: 1231075 (v9)
GeekBench: 4950 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
Performance
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 AnTuTu: 1231075 (v9)
GeekBench: 4950 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)
Display
—
1198 nits max brightness (measured)
Display
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 1198 nits max brightness (measured)
Camera
—
Photo / Video
Camera
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Photo / Video
Loudspeaker
—
-27.0 LUFS (Good)
Loudspeaker
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 -27.0 LUFS (Good)
Battery
—
Active use score 11:27h
Battery
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Active use score 11:27h
Battery (old)
—
Endurance rating 101h
Battery (old)
Galaxy S21 —
Galaxy S23 Endurance rating 101h