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

ByOpe Yemi Last updated Samsung Comparison

Comparing Samsung Galaxy S23 with Samsung Galaxy S21 using their specifications. Inside is also a list of the main discrepancies between the two devices.

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy S21: Specs

Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Samsung Galaxy S21
DESIGN AND DISPLAYSamsung S23Samsung S21
Screen Size6.1-inches6.2-inches
Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XDynamic AMOLED 2X
High Refresh Rate120Hz120Hz
Screen Resolution2340 x 1080 pixels2400 x 1080 pixels
Pixel Density425 PPI421 PPI
Brightness1750 nits1300 nits
Weight168 grams169 grams (sub6),
171 grams (mmWave)
Height146.3 mm151.7 mm
Width70.9 mm71.2 mm
Thickness7.6 mm7.9 mm
Front/Display MaterialCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Side/Frame MaterialArmor AluminumAluminum
Back MaterialCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Plastic
Water ResistantIP68IP68
Stylus PenNoNo
Available ColorPhantom Black,
Cream,
Green,
Lavender,
Lime,
Graphite		Phantom Gray,
Phantom Pink,
Phantom White,
Phantom Violet
NETWORKSamsung S23Samsung S21
2GYesYes
3GYesYes
4GYesYes
5GYesYes
Sim TypeNano and eSIMNano and eSIM
OPERATING SYSTEMSamsung S23Samsung S21
UI VersionOne UI 5.1Upgradable to One UI 5.1
OS VersionAndroid 13Android 11,
Upgradable to Android 13
PROCESSOR/CHIPSETSamsung S23Samsung S21
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 S23Samsung S21
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/2.212 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 S23Samsung S21
Wide12 MP, f/2.210 MP, f/2.2
UltrawideNoNo
Video Recording4K @30/60fps,
1080P @30fps		4K @30/60fps,
1080P @30fps
MEMORYSamsung S23Samsung S21
RAM8GB8GB
Internal Storage128GB – UFS 3.1,
256GB – UFS 4.0,
512GB – UFS 4.0		128GB – UFS 3.1,
256GB – UFS 3.1
microSD CardNoNo
BATTERYSamsung S23Samsung S21
TypeLi-Ion Non-removableLi-Ion Non-removable
Capacity3900 mAh4000 mAh
Wired Charging25 Watts, PD 3.025 Watts, PD 3.0
Wireless Charging15 Watts, Qi/PMA15 Watts, Qi/PMA
Reverse Wireless Charging4.5 Watts4.5 Watts
SENSORSSamsung S23Samsung S21
AccelerometerYesYes
ProximityYesYes
CompassYesYes
GyroscopeYesYes
BarometerYesYes
FingerprintUnder Display, UltrasonicUnder Display, Ultrasonic
CONNECTIVITYSamsung S23Samsung S21
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 S23Samsung S21
LoudspeakerYes, Stereo SpeakersYes, Stereo Speakers
FM RadioNoYes – Market Dependent
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
AVAILABILITYSamsung S23Samsung S21
Announced Date1st of February 202314th of January 2021
Released Date17th of February 202329th of January 2021

6 Major Differences Between Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S21

1.) Design and Display

Samsung S23 is a 6.1 inches display smartphone with a 2340 x 1080 pixels screen resolution, 425 PPI pixel density, and 1750 nits brightness while the Galaxy S21 is a 6.2 inches display smartphone with 2400 x 1080 pixels resolution, 421 PPI pixel density, and 1300 nits brightness.

The S23 is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus at the front (display) while the back is plastic. Compared to the S21 whose display and back are both protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Also, each of the three rear cameras of the S23 stands alone while that of the S21 is held together by a camera module. There are also visible smaller bezels around the S23.

2.) Camera

Samsung S23 is equipped with a triple rear camera that comprises a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto while the S21 is equipped with a triple rear camera that comprises a 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 64MP telephoto.

The S23 uses a 12MP selfie camera while the S21 uses a 10MP selfie camera.

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

The Galaxy S23 can shoot slow-motion video in 1080P @960fps while the Galaxy S21 can shoot slow-motion video in 720P @960fps.

3.) Battery

Samsung S21 is packed with a 4000 mAh battery with 25 watts wired charging support and 15 watts wireless charging support while the S23 is packed with a 3900 mAh battery with 25 watts wired charging and 15 watts wireless charging.

4.) Internal Storage:

Samsung S21 has internal storage options of 128GB and 256GB while the S23 has internal storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.

The storage options of the S21 are UFS 3.1 while the ones of the S23 are UFS 4.0 except the 128GB which is UFS 3.1.

5.) Processor

Samsung Galaxy S23 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with Adreno 740 GPU on board while the Galaxy S21 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset with Adreno 660 GPU on board.

6.) Bluetooth

Samsung S21 comes with Bluetooth 5.0 while the Galaxy S23 comes with Bluetooth 5.3.

You might also be interested in the comparison between Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus.

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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