Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB) vs Samsung Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)

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Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S3 vs Samsung Galaxy A21s phones, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?

7/14/2020 11:00 PM, updated: 6/19/2025 6:19 PM

Compare Samsung Galaxy A21s X Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB) 11Points

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

4.8"
AMOLED

720x1280

8
MP

2mp

1GB
RAM

Quad-core

2100
mAh

(Removable)

23Points Samsung Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB) Compare Samsung Galaxy S3 X

Specifications Compare Models Pictures

6.5"
PLS

720x1600

48
MP

13mp

6GB
RAM

Octa-core

5000
mAh

(Non removable)

What's the better phone? Samsung Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)

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!

11 Advantages Samsung Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	vs	23 Advantages Samsung Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
+133 grams (4.66 ounces)44% Lighter	vs	192 grams (6.72 ounces)
+8.6 millimeters (0.34 inches)3% Thinner	vs	8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches)
+Super AMOLEDAdvantage Super AMOLED display is brighter and more vivid	vs	TFT PLS
+306 PPI13% Crisper display of text, images and videos because it has more pixels per inch (ppi)	vs	270 PPI
+BSI sensorAdvantage The BSI sensor allows the entry of more light generating photos with more detail and brightness	vs	Not supported
+Ambient light sensorAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Virtual ambient light sensor
+BarometerAdvantage Sensors help you use the device	vs	Not supported
+Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable)Advantage Removable battery can be replaced easily	vs	LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)
+DLNAAdvantage With DLNA technology you can access and play media files on TV, tablet or DLNA compatible device.	vs	Not supported
+NFCAdvantage NFC allows you to make payments by approach quickly and securely	vs	Not supported
+Gorilla Glass 2Advantage Protection against scratches on the screen lets you carry your phone with your keys	vs	Not supported
1.4GHz 32bit Quad-core (32nm)	vs	+2GHz 64bit Octa-core (8nm)144% More powerful processor, you can open your applications faster
1GB LPDDR2	vs	+6GB LPDDR4X5 times More RAM memory. Typically more responsive and better for multitasking.
16GB (11GB available)	vs	+64GB (48GB available)3 times More internal storage for applications and files
eMMC 4.41	vs	+eMMC 5.1Advantage Fastest write and read storage.
Until 64GB microSD, microSDXC	vs	+Until 512GB microSD, microSDXC7 times More external storage for files using memory cards
720x1280 pixels	vs	+720x1600 pixels25% Higher resolution screen
4.8"	vs	+6.5"35% Larger screen
(back) 8MP	vs	+(quad camera) 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP7 times Higher resolution main camera
HDR photo only main camera	vs	+HDR photo on both camerasAdvantage The HDR technology produced photos with more detail in dark areas
1/3" inches	vs	+1/2" inches50% The larger sensor camera lets you take photos with better depth.
f/2.6 (aperture)	vs	+f/2.0 (aperture)30% Diaphragm opening (Aperture) of the camera which has the smallest F number takes photos with better light exposure.
(front) 2MP	vs	+(front) 13MP6 times Higher resolution secondary camera to take pictures and selfies
(front) HD (1280x720)	vs	+(front) Full HD (1920x1080)125% More image quality for recording videos with the secondary camera
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean	vs	+Android 12Advantage Android 12 is newer and safer
3G+ HSPA+	vs	+4G LTE-AAdvantage The 4G LTE-A network is newer and faster
(3G+ HSPA+) 21 Mbps	vs	+(4G LTE-A) 300 Mbps13 times Faster for surfing the internet and download files
Not supported	vs	+Face unlock 2DAdvantage Sensors help you use the device
Not supported	vs	+Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted)Advantage Sensors help you use the device
2100 mAh	vs	+5000 mAh138% Battery - higher amperage (mAh) allows more device usage time, but it also depends on the hardware and use
1 slot (Single-SIM) (dedicated slot)	vs	+2 slots (Dual-SIM) (dedicated slot)Advantage You can have more mobile carriers/operators on the same device.
802.11 a/b/g/n [wifi4]	vs	+802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5]Advantage WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] is newer and faster
4.0 + A2DP	vs	+5.0 + A2DP/LEAdvantage Bluetooth 5.0 + A2DP/LE is newer and faster
MicroUSB 2.0, USB OTG On-The-Go	vs	+Type-CAdvantage Reversible connector, you can stick in a USB-C cable any which way; either side is up.

24 Common items in both devices

Plastic body, glass front

60Hz

16 million

LED flash

Only digital zoom

Autofocus / PDAF: phase detection autofocus

EIS: Digital stabilization

+17 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

📱 Model features
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Change model		Choose the model
Model	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Other model names	Samsung Galaxy S III i9300, Galaxy S3 i9300	Galaxy A21s SM-A217F/Dual-Sim (64GB + 6GB RAM)
Country or region available	(Global, International)	Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Brand	Samsung	Samsung
Release date	5/22/2012	6/2/2020, Announced: 5/15/2020
Depth	8.6 millimeters (0.34 inches)	8.9 millimeters (0.35 inches)
Size (width x height)	70.6 x 136.6 millimeters (2.78 x 5.38 in)	75.3 x 163.7 millimeters (2.96 x 6.44 in)
Weight	133 grams (4.66 ounces)	192 grams (6.72 ounces)
Build, materials	Plastic body, glass front	Plastic body, glass front
Protection against water and others	Not supported	Not supported
📲 Display
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Display type	Super AMOLED	TFT PLS
Screen size	4.8" inches	6.5" inches
Screen-to-body ratio	~65.9% (screen-to-body ratio)	~82.8% (screen-to-body ratio)
Display resolution	720x1280 pixels	720x1600 pixels (20:9)
Touchscreen	Capacitive Multitouch	Capacitive Multitouch
Pixel density (dot pitch)	306 PPI	270 PPI
Colors	16 million	16 million
Scratch-resistant glass	Gorilla Glass 2	Not supported
Refresh rate	60Hz	60Hz
Display features	Not supported	Not supported
🤖 Operating System
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
System version	Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich ICS	Android 10
Firmware update	Android 4.3 Jelly Bean	Android 12
User Interface	TouchWiz UI	One UI 2.0 / 3.1 / 4.1
⚙️ Processor
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Chipset	32bit: Samsung Exynos 4412 (32nm)	64bit: Samsung Exynos 850 (8nm)
CPU	Quad-core, 1 processor: 4x 1.4GHz ARM Cortex-A9 (Quad-core)	Octa-core, 1 processor: 8x 2GHz ARM Cortex-A55 (Octa-core)
GPU graphical controller	ARM Mali-400 MP4 (440MHz)	ARM Mali-G52 MP1
Performance (benchmark)	feature not registered	feature not registered
💽 Memory and storage
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
RAM memory	1GB LPDDR2	6GB LPDDR4X
Internal storage	16GB (11GB available) eMMC 4.41	64GB (48GB available) eMMC 5.1
External storage	Until 64GB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot)	Until 512GB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot)
📶 Mobile networks
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Dual-SIM	Not supported	Dual-SIM Standby - Call active on one sim card (dedicated slot)
SIM card	1 slot (Single-SIM) micro-SIM (3FF)	2 slots (Dual-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF)
Maximum Download / Upload	21/5.76 Mbps	300/150 Mbps
Network technology	2G, 3G	2G, 3G, 4G
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	GSM 850/900/1800/1900	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Primary 3G network	UMTS 850/900/1900/2100	UMTS 850/900/1900/2100
Primary 4G network	Not supported	LTE Cat7/13 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41)
Primary 5G network	Not supported	Not supported
Primary data network	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A
Secondary 2G network	Not supported	GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Secondary 3G network	Not supported	UMTS 850/900/1900/2100
Secondary 4G network	Not supported	LTE Cat7/13 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28) TD-LTE (38, 40, 41)
Secondary data network	Not supported	GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A
📷 Camera
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Back camera (main camera)	8 megapixels	(quad camera) 48 megapixels 8MP ultrawide f/2.21/4"1.12µm123° 2MP macro f/2.4 2MP depth f/2.4
Main camera resolution	3264x2448 pixels	8000x6000 pixels
Video recording (primary)	Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps	Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps
Flash	LED flash	LED flash
Focal aperture	f/2.6 (aperture)	f/2.0 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	26mm (lens)
Sensor size	1/3" inches	1/2" inches
Pixel size	feature not registered	0.8µm pixel
Autofocus	Autofocus	PDAF: phase detection autofocus
Touch focus	Supported	Supported
Image stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization	EIS: Digital stabilization
Zoom	Only digital zoom	Only digital zoom
Face/smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection	Face detection, Smile detection
BSI sensor	Supported	Not supported
HDR	HDR photo only main camera	HDR photo on both cameras
Camera extras	feature not registered	feature not registered
📸 Front camera
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Front camera (secondary)	2 megapixels	13 megapixels
Front camera resolution	1600x1200 pixels	4128x3096 pixels
Video recording (secondary)	HD (1280x720)	Full HD (1920x1080)
Front flash	Not supported	Not supported
Focal aperture	f/2.6 (aperture)	f/2.2 (aperture)
Focal length	feature not registered	feature not registered
Sensor size	feature not registered	1/3.1" inches
Pixel size	feature not registered	1.12µm pixel
🔉 Sound and multimedia
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Loudspeaker	Mono sound (not stereo)	Mono sound (not stereo)
Active noise cancellation	2 microphones	2 microphones or more
Radio	FM (RDS)	FM
TV	Not supported	Not supported
Video formats	MP4, 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 S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
USB	MicroUSB 2.0, USB OTG On-The-Go	USB 2.0 Type-C reversible connector
Audio output	3.5mm jack	3.5mm jack
TV output	Micro-B USB MHL	Not supported
Bluetooth	4.0 + A2DP	5.0 + A2DP/LE
WiFi	802.11 a/b/g/n [wifi4] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi 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	A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou
NFC	Supported	Not supported
Infrared port	Not supported	Not supported
🧭 Sensors
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Sensors	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Gyroscope Proximity sensor	Accelerometer Compass Face unlock 2D Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Proximity sensor Virtual ambient light sensor
Vibrating alert	Supported	Supported
🔋 Battery
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Battery type	Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Removable) EB-L1G6LLU	LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable)
Battery capacity	2100 mAh	5000 mAh
Charger, watts	Wired charging	15W (9V/1.67A) Wired fast charging
Inductive / wireless charging	Not supported	Not supported
Talk time autonomy	11.7 hours	feature not registered
Standby	790 hours (32.9 days)	feature not registered
➕ Other features
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
Call control	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands	Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands
Messaging	SMS (Swype), 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, Flash player	HTML, XHTML, HTML5
Antenna	Internal antenna	Internal antenna
Qwerty physical keyboard	Not supported	Not supported
Miscellaneous	• Colors: Pebble blue, Marble white • Smart Stay eye tracking • S-Voice • Java framework	• Colors: Black, White, Blue, Red
☢️ Radiation rate
	Galaxy S3 (GT-i9300 16GB)	Galaxy A21s (SM-A217F/DS 64GB/6GB)
SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.)	0.628W/kg (head), 1.584W/kg (body)	feature not registered
SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.)	0.342W/kg (head), 0.547W/kg (body)	0.422W/kg (head), 1.544W/kg (body)