Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus – Specs Comparison and Differences

ByOpe Yemi Last updated Samsung Comparison

Comparing Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus using their specifications and stating the main differences between the two devices that are about 2 years apart.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus: Specs

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
DESIGN AND DISPLAYSamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
Screen Size6.6-inches6.7-inches
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XDynamic AMOLED 2X
High Refresh Rate120Hz120Hz
Screen Resolution2340 x 1080 pixels2400 x 1080 pixels
Pixel Density393 PPI394 PPI
Brightness1750 nits1300 nits
Weight196 grams200 grams (sub6),
202 grams (mmWave)
Height157.8 mm161.5 mm
Width76.2 mm75.6 mm
Thickness7.6 mm7.8 mm
Front/Display MaterialCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Side/Frame MaterialArmor AluminumAluminum
Back MaterialCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Water ResistantIP68IP68
Stylus PenNoNo
Available ColorPhantom Black,
Cream,
Lime,
Graphite,
Green,
Lavender		Phantom Black,
Phantom Violet,
Phantom Pink,
Phantom Gold,
Phantom Silver,
Phantom Red
NETWORKSamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
2GYesYes
3GYesYes
4GYesYes
5GYesYes
Sim TypeNano and eSIMNano and eSIM
OPERATING SYSTEMSamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
UI VersionOne UI 5.1Upgradable to One UI 5.1
OS VersionAndroid 13Android 11,
Upgradable to Android 13
PROCESSOR/CHIPSETSamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
Processor Type4nm, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 25nm, Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G
Processor SpeedOcta-core,
1 (3.36 GHz Cortex-X3),
2 (2.80 GHz Cortex-A715),
2 (2.80 GHz Cortex-A710),
and
3 (2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)		Octa-core,
1 (2.84 GHz Cortex-X1),
3 (2.42 GHz Cortex-A78),
and
4 (1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Graphics ProcessorAdreno 740Adreno 660
REAR CAMERASamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
Main (wide)50 MP, f/1.8 with OIS and Dual Pixel PDAF12 MP, f/1.8 with OIS and Dual Pixel PDAF
Ultrawide12 MP, f/2.2 with Dual Pixel PDAF12 MP, f/2.2
Telephoto10 MP, f/2.4 with OIS and 3x Optical Zoom64 MP, f/2.0 with OIS and 1.1x Optical Zoom
Periscope TelephotoNoNo
MacroNoNo
DepthNoNo
Video Recording8K @24/30fps,
4K @30/60fps,
1080P @30/60/240fps,
1080P @960fps,
HDR10+,
Stereo Sound Recording, gyro-EIS		8K @24fps,
4K @30/60fps,
1080P @30/60/240fps,
720P @960fps,
HDR10+,
Stereo Sound Recording, gyro-EIS
FRONT CAMERASamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
Wide12 MP, f/2.210 MP, f/2.2
UltrawideNoNo
Video Recording4K @30/60fps,
1080P @30fps		4K @30/60fps,
1080P @30fps
MEMORYSamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
RAM8GB8GB
Internal Storage256GB – UFS 4.0,
512GB – UFS 4.0		128GB – UFS 3.1,
256GB – UFS 3.1
microSD CardNoNo
BATTERYSamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
TypeLi-Ion Non-removableLi-Ion Non-removable
Capacity4700 mAh4800 mAh
Wired Charging45 Watts, PD 3.025 Watts, PD 3.0
Wireless Charging15 Watts, Qi/PMA15 Watts, Qi/PMA
Reverse Wireless Charging4.5 Watts4.5 Watts
SENSORSSamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
AccelerometerYesYes
ProximityYesYes
CompassYesYes
GyroscopeYesYes
BarometerYesYes
FingerprintUnder Display, UltrasonicUnder Display, Ultrasonic
CONNECTIVITYSamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
Bluetoothv5.3, A2DP, LEv5.0, A2DP, LE
USBType-C 3.2Type-C 3.2
GPSGPS,
BDS,
GLONASS,
GALILEO		GPS,
BDS,
GLONASS,
GALILEO
WiFiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e,
tri-Band,
Wi-Fi Direct		Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6,
dual-Band,
Wi-Fi Direct
NFCYesYes
Samsung PayYesYes
Samsung DeXYesYes
BixbyYesYes
MULTIMEDIASamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
LoudspeakerYes, Stereo SpeakersYes, Stereo Speakers
FM RadioNoYes, Market Dependent
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
AVAILABILITYSamsung S23 PlusSamsung S21 Plus
Announced Date1st of February 202314th of January 2021
Released Date17th of February 202329th of January 2021

6 Main Differences Between Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S21 Plus

1.) Display

Samsung S23 Plus sports a 6.6 inches display size with a 2340 x 1080 pixels screen resolution, 1750 nits brightness, and its display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

The Galaxy S21 Plus on the other hand is a 6.7 inches display smartphone with 2400 x 1080 pixels screen resolution, a 1300 nits brightness, and its display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

2.) Processor

Samsung S21 Plus is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor with Adreno 660 GPU on board while the Galaxy S23 Plus is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

3.) Camera

Samsung S23 Plus is equipped with a triple rear camera which comprises a 50MP primary camera, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto lens while the Galaxy S21 Plus is equipped with a triple back camera which comprises 12MP primary camera, 12MP ultrawide, and 64MP telephoto lens.

Samsung S23 Plus can shoot video in 8K @24fps and 30fps while the Galaxy S21 Plus can shoot video in 8K but only at 24fps.

Samsung S21 Plus is equipped with a 10MP selfie camera while the Samsung S23 Plus is equipped with a 12MP selfie camera.

Samsung S21 Plus can shoot slow-motion video in 720P @960fps while the S23 Plus can shoot slow-mo video in 1080P @960fps.

4.) Internal Storage

Samsung S23 Plus comes with internal storage options of 256GB and 512GB both of which are UFS 4.0 storage while the Galaxy S21 Plus comes with internal storage options of 128GB and 256GB which are UFS 3.1 storage.

5.) Battery

Samsung S23 Plus is packed with a 4700 mAh battery with 45 watts of wired charging support and 15 watts of wireless charging while the Galaxy S21 Plus is packed with a 4800 mAh battery with 25 watts of wired charging support and 15 watts of wireless charging support.

6.) Bluetooth and WiFi

Samsung S23 Plus comes with Bluetooth 5.3 and tri-band WiFi 6e while the Galaxy S21 Plus comes with Bluetooth 5.0 and dual-band WiFi 6.

You might also be interested in the comparison between Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and iPhone 13 Pro.

Also, Samsung Galaxy S23 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus comparison.

Ope Yemi

My name is Ope Yemi, I have been a Samsung mobile enthusiast and user for years.

Combining that with my deep research skills, makes me your best go to for any information you are looking for about this smartphone titan and its products.

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