Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.2"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2400
12.2
MP
MP
10mp
8GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
4000
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
6.5"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1080x2340
50
MP
MP
13mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
5000
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!
27 Advantages 
6 Advantages | 27 Common items in both devices |
| 128GB (104GB available) / 128GB (108GB available) |
| Dynamic AMOLED / Super AMOLED |
| 16 million |
| LED flash |
| PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras / Autofocus |
| BSI sensor |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras / HDR photo on both cameras |
| +20 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 S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| Change model | ||
| Model | Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) |
| Other model names | Galaxy S21 5G SM-G991B/DS | Galaxy A15 5G SM-A156B/Dual-SIM NFC |
| Country or region available |  (Global, International) |  (Europe) |
| Brand | Samsung | Samsung |
| Release date | 1/29/2021, Announced: 1/14/2021 | 12/16/2023, Announced: 12/11/2023 |
| Depth | 7.9 millimeters (0.31 inches) | 8.4 millimeters (0.33 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 71.2 x 151.7 millimeters (2.8 x 5.97 in) | 76.8 x 160.1 millimeters (3.02 x 6.3 in) |
| Weight | 169 grams (5.92 ounces) | 200 grams (7 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum body, glass front, plastic back | Plastic body, glass front |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | Not supported |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Screen size | 6.2" inches | 6.5" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~85.9% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~84.3% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1080x2400 pixels (20:9) | 1080x2340 pixels (19.5:9) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 424 PPI | 396 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass Victus | Not supported |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 90Hz |
| Display features | 1300nits[peak] HDR10+ Always-On Display | 800nits[peak] |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| System version | Android 11 | Android 14 |
| Firmware update | Android 14 | feature not registered |
| User Interface | One UI 3.1 / 4.1 / 5.1 / 6.0 | One UI 6.1 |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Samsung Exynos 2100 (5nm) | 64bit: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm) |
| CPU | 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) | Octa-core, 2 processors: 2x 2.2GHz ARM Cortex-A76 (Dual-core) 6x 2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Hexa-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | ARM Mali-G78 MP14 (854MHz) | ARM Mali-G57 MC2 |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | AnTuTu: 306382 (v9), 364885 (v10) Geekbench: 1747 (v5), 1763 (v6) |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| RAM memory | 8GB LPDDR5 | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Internal storage | 128GB (104GB available) UFS 3.1 | 128GB (108GB available) UFS 2.2 |
| External storage | Not supported | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (hybrid slot/shares the same SIM-2 slot) |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card | Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (hybrid slot/shares the same microSD slot) |
| SIM card | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) + e-SIM | 2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 5000/1920 Mbps | 3000/1024 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G | 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 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE | LTE Cat13 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Primary 5G network | SA/NSA/Sub6 () | SA/NSA/Sub6 (1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78) |
| Primary data network | 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 | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
| Secondary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Secondary 3G network | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Secondary 4G network | LTE Cat24 () TD-LTE () VoLTE | LTE Cat13 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 66) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41) VoLTE |
| Secondary data network | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A, SA/NSA, Sub6 |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | (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 | (triple camera) 50 megapixels 5MP ultrawide f/2.2 2MP macro f/2.4 |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 8160x6120 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 8K UHD (7680x4320) 24 fps | Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | LED flash |
| Focal aperture | f/1.8 (aperture) | f/1.8 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | feature not registered |
| Sensor size | 1/1.76" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.8µm pixel | feature not registered |
| Autofocus | PDAF: phase detection autofocus on both cameras | Autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | EIS: Digital stabilization |
| Zoom | Digital and optical zoom | Only digital zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo on both cameras |
| Camera extras | 4K@60fps 1080p@240fps 720p@960fps | 1080p@30fps 720p@120fps (slow motion) |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 10 megapixels | 13 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3872x2592 pixels | 4128x3096 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) | Full HD (1920x1080) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/2.2 (aperture) | f/2.0 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm (lens) | feature not registered |
| Sensor size | 1/3.24" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Stereo sound 32-bit/384kHz Dolby Atmos Tuned by AKG | Mono sound (not stereo) |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | FM | Not supported |
| 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 S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | USB 2.0 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go |
| Audio output | Type-C reversible connector | 3.5mm jack |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | USB Type-C (reversible) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 5.3 + A2DP/LE |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax [wifi6] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot |
| DLNA | Supported | Not supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, QZSS |
| NFC | Supported | Supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gesture Gyroscope Hall effect Proximity sensor | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted) Gyroscope Virtual proximity sensor |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| Battery type | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 25W Wired fast charging USB Power Delivery 3.0 | 25W Wired fast charging |
| Inductive / wireless charging | 15W Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) 4.5W Reverse wireless charging | Not supported |
| Talk time autonomy | feature not registered | 44 hours (1.8 days) |
| Standby | feature not registered | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| 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: Phantom Gray, White, Violet, Pink • Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard) • Samsung DeX | • Colors: Brave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy S21 | Galaxy A15 5G (SM-A156B/DSN 128GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | 0.456W/kg (head), 1.509W/kg (body) | 0.796W/kg (head), 1.461W/kg (body) |