Samsung Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) vs Samsung Galaxy S21
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy A21 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.5"
PLS
PLS
720x1600
16
MP
MP
13mp
3GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.2"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy S21
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
4 Advantages 
31 Advantages | 20 Common items in both devices |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| HDR photo on both cameras / HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Capacitive |
| Multitouch |
| +13 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Model | Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 |
| Other model names | Galaxy A21 SM-A215U (Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Verizon) | Galaxy S21 5G SM-G991B/DS |
| Country or region available |  USA |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 6/26/2020 | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 |
| Depth | 8.1 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 76.7 x 167.8 millimeters (3.02 x 6.61 in) | 71.2 x 151.7 millimeters (2.8 x 5.97 in) |
| Weight | 193 grams (6.76 ounces) | 169 grams (5.92 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Plastic body, glass front | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back |
| Protection against water and others | Not supported | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Display type | TFT PLS | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.5" inches | 6.2" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~79.3% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~85.9% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 720x1600 pixels (20:9) | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 270 PPI | 424 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Not supported | Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Display features | Not supported | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| System version | Android 10 | Android 11 |
| Firmware update | feature not registered | Android 14 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Chipset | 64bit: MediaTek Helio P35 (MT6765) (12nm) | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (5nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.3GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Quad-core) 4x 1.8GHz ARM Cortex-A53 (Quad-core) | Octa-core, 3 processors: 1x 2.9GHz ARM Cortex-X1 (Single-core) 3x 2.8GHz ARM Cortex-A78 (Triple-core) 4x 2.2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Quad-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | PowerVR GE8320 MP2 (680MHz) | ARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| RAM memory | 3GB LPDDR3 | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 32GB (20GB available) eMMC 5.1 | 128GB (104GB available) UFS 3.1 |
| External storage | Until 512GB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 150/50 Mbps | 5000/1920 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat4 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) VoLTE | LTE Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | SA/NSA/Sub6 () |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | LTE Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (quad camera) 16 megapixels 8MP ultrawide f/2.21/4.0"1.12µm 2MP macro f/2.4 2MP depth f/2.4 | (triple camera) 12.2 megapixels 64MP telephoto f/2.029mm1/1.72"0.8µmPDAFOIS1.1x-optical-zoom3x-hybrid-zoom 12MP ultrawide f/2.213mm120°1/2.55"1.4µmSuper-Steady-video |
| Main camera resolution | 4608x3456 pixels | 4032x3024 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.06" inches | 1/1.76" inches |
| Pixel size | 1µm pixel | 1.8µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | EIS: Digital stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Digital and optical zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Not supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo on both cameras | HDR photo/video on both cameras |
| Camera extras | feature not registered | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 13 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 4128x3096 pixels | 3872x2592 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | Full HD (1920x1080) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.0 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | feature not registered | 26mm lens |
| Sensor size | feature not registered | 1/3.24" inches |
| Pixel size | 1.12µm pixel | 1.22µm pixel |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Loudspeaker | Supported | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | FM | FM |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, XviD, MKV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, WMA, eAAC+, FLAC |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| USB | USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | 3.5mm jack | Type-C reversible connector |
| TV output | Not supported | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.0 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Not supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou |
| NFC | Not supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 15W Wired fast charging | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Not supported | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Black • One UI 2.0 | • Colors: Phantom Gray, White, Violet, Pink • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy A21 (SM-A215U) | Galaxy S21 | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | 0.6W/kg (head), 1.27W/kg (body) | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | 0.456W/kg (head), 1.509W/kg (body) |