Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

Phone Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Compare sizes, cameras, batteries, memory, and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right phone for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the phone that will best fit your needs.

Phone Specifications Comparison

Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Product Type Smartphone Smartphone
Manufacturer Model Number SM-G996B/DS SM-G991U1
Form Factor Touch Touch
Height 161.5 mm 151.7 mm Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has greater height than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Width 75.6 mm 71.2 mm Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has greater width than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Depth 7.8 mm 7.9 mm Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is narrower than Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Weight 200 g 171 g Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is lighter than Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Body Colour Phantom black | Phantom silver | Phantom violet | Phantom gold | Phantom red Phantom grey | Phantom white
Protection Dustproof, splashproof, water-resistant Dustproof, splashproof, water-resistant
Waterproof (Water-resistant) Yes Yes Both phones are waterproof.
IP rating IP68 IP68
SAR Value 1.335 W/kg (body), 0.541 W/kg (head), 2.23 W/kg (limb) 1.58 W/kg (simultaneous), 1.11 W/kg (wireless router), 1.08 W/kg (body), 0.74 W/kg (head)
Connector Type USB Type-C - 24 pin USB-C USB Type-C - 24 pin USB-C
SIM Card Type (Size) Nano SIM, Electronic SIM card (e-SIM) Nano SIM, Electronic SIM card (e-SIM)
SIM Card Qty Dual-SIM Dual-SIM
DISPLAY Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Display Type OLED display OLED display
Display Technology Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Screen Size (Display Size) 6.7" 6.2" Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has larger screen size than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Screen Resolution (Display Resolution) 2400 x 1080 pixels 2400 x 1080 pixels Both phones have the same screen resolution.
Display Format Full HD+ Full HD+
Pixel Density 394 ppi 421 ppi Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has better pixel density than Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Colour Depth 16.7 million colours 16.7 million colours Both phones have the same color depth.
HDR Yes Yes Both phones have HDR.
HDR Technology HDR10+ HDR10+
Display Enhancement Technology Eye Comfort Shield Eye Comfort Shield
Display Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz Both phones have the same refresh rate.
Display Features AOD(Always On Display) AOD(Always On Display), Video Wallpaper
Display Protection (Screen Protector) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (scratch resistant glass) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (scratch resistant glass)
PROCESSOR Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Processor Type (CPU) Samsung Exynos 2100 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Clock Speed 2.9 GHz 2.84 GHz Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has higher clock speed than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Processor Core Qty 8-core 8-core Both phones have the same number of phone cores.
Graphics System (GPU) Mali-G78 MP14 -
MEMORY Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
RAM LPDDR5 SDRAM - 8 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM - 8 GB Both phones have the same RAM size.
Internal Memory Size (Storage Capacity) 128 GB 128 GB Both phones have the same internal memory capacity.
User Memory 102.2 GB 101.2 GB
CAMERA Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
MAIN CAMERA
Number of Main Cameras 3 3
Sensor Resolution 12 Megapixel 12 Megapixel Both phones have the same camera resolution.
Sensor Size - 1/1.76"
Lens Type Ultra wide-angle lens Wide-angle lens
Lens Aperture F/2.2 F/1.8 Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has better lens aperture than Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Field of View (FoV) 120 degree(s) 79 degree(s) Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has larger lens field of view than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Pixel Size 1.4 μm 1.8 μm Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has larger camera pixel size than Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Both phones have optical image stabilization.
Focus Adjustment Automatic Automatic
Laser Auto Focus - Yes
Optical Zoom 3x 3x Both phones have the same optical zoom.
Digital Zoom 30x 30x Both phones have the same digital zoom.
Self-Timer Delay Yes Yes
Special Effects Face retouch, Grid Line Face retouch, Grid Line
HDR Mode Auto HDR mode Auto HDR mode
Camera Modes Panorama, Slow motion mode, Pro mode, HYPERLAPSE, Super Slow-mo, Flowers, Greenery, Trees, Sky, Beaches, Watersides, Snow, Backlit, Text, Food, Face, Baby, Person, Dog, Cat, People, Sunset, Sunrise, City, Waterfall, Scenery, Stage, Vehicles, Drinks, Animal, Shoes, Indoor, Clothes, Night view, Night, Motion Photo, Mountain, Single Take, Pro Video, Director's View Panorama, Slow motion mode, Pro mode, HYPERLAPSE, Super Slow-mo, Flowers, Greenery, Trees, Sky, Beaches, Watersides, Snow, Backlit, Text, Food, Face, Baby, Person, Dog, Cat, People, Sunset, Sunrise, City, Waterfall, Scenery, Stage, Vehicles, Drinks, Animal, Shoes, Indoor, Clothes, Night view, Portrait, Night, Motion Photo, Mountain, Single Take, Pro Video, Portrait video, Director's View
Light Source High CRI LED flash High CRI LED flash
Video Resolutions 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 60 fps, 1280 x 720 (720p) at 30 fps, 3840 x 2160 (4K) at 60 fps, Super slow motion video 1280 x 720 (720p) at 960 fps, Slo-mo video 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 240 fps, 7680 x 4320 (UHD 8K) at 24fps, Hyperlapse 4K video support at 30 fps, Super Steady 1080p video support at 60 fps 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 60 fps, 1280 x 720 (720p) at 30 fps, 3840 x 2160 (4K) at 60 fps, Super slow motion video 1280 x 720 (720p) at 960 fps, Slo-mo video 1920 x 1080 (1080p) at 240 fps, 7680 x 4320 (8K) at 24 fps, Hyperlapse 4K video support at 30 fps, Super Steady 1080p video support at 60 fps
Camera Features (Functions) Playback zoom, blink detection, VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilisation), Tracking AF, Video location tags, Scene Optimiser, Flaw detection, Shot suggestions, blur detection, HDR10+ recording, Super steady, Quick Measure, Zoom-In Mic, Space Zoom, Take 33MP still photos while playing 8K video, Hybrid Optic Zoom 3x, Super Resolution Zoom up to 30x, Digital zoom up to 12x for video Playback zoom, Motion photo, blink detection, QR-code scanner, VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilisation), Tracking AF, Video location tags, Scene Optimiser, Lens smudge, Flaw detection, Shot suggestions, blur detection, HDR10+ recording, Super steady, Super Speed Dual Pixel AF, Quick Measure, Zoom-In Mic, HEIF image capture, Space Zoom, Take 33MP still photos while playing 8K video, Hybrid Optic Zoom 3x, Super Resolution Zoom up to 30x, Digital zoom up to 12x for video, AR Doodle, HEVC (High Efficiency Video coding) support, Microphone Control (Pro Video only)
SECOND CAMERA
Sensor Resolution (2nd Camera) 12 Megapixel 12 Megapixel Both phones have the same second camera resolution.
Sensor Size (2nd Camera) 1/1.76" -
Lens Type (2nd Camera) Wide-angle lens Ultra wide-angle lens
Lens Aperture (2nd Camera) F/1.8 F/2.2 Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has better second camera lens aperture than Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Field of View (2nd Camera) 79 degree(s) 120 degree(s) Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has larger second camera lens field of view than Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G.
Pixel Size (2nd Camera) 1.8 μm 1.4 μm Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has larger second camera pixel size than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Camera Features (2nd Camera) OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation), Super Speed Dual Pixel AF -
THIRD CAMERA
Sensor Resolution (3rd Camera) 64 Megapixel 64 Megapixel Both phones have the same third camera resolution.
Sensor Size (3rd Camera) 1/1.72" 1/1.72" Both phones have the same third camera sensor size.
Lens Type (3rd Camera) Telephoto lens Telephoto lens
Lens Aperture (3rd Camera) F/2.0 F/2.0 Both phones have the same lens aperture of the third camera.
Field of View (3rd Camera) 76 degree(s) 76 degree(s) Both phones have the same third camera lens field of view.
Pixel Size (3rd Camera) 0.8 μm 0.8 μm Both phones have the same third camera pixel size.
Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) - Optical Image Stabiliser (OIS) Samsung Galaxy S21 5G has optical stabilisation of the third camera.
Camera Features (3rd Camera) Phase Detect Auto-Focus (PDAF) -
FRONT CAMERA
Number of Front Cameras 1 1
Sensor Resolution (Front) 10 Megapixel 10 Megapixel Both phones have the same front camera resolution.
Lens Aperture (Front) F/2.2 F/2.2 Both phones have the same front camera lens aperture.
Field of View (Front) 80 degree(s) 80 degree(s) Both phones have the same front lens field of view.
Pixel Size (Front) 1.22 μm 1.22 μm Both phones have the same front camera pixel size.
Focus Adjustment Automatic Automatic
Camera Features (Front) Dual Pixel AF Dual Pixel AF
BATTERY AND CHARGING Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Battery Capacity (Battery Size) 4800 mAh 4000 mAh Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has larger battery capacity than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Fast Charging Technology Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, Adaptive Fast Charging, Samsung Super Fast Charging, Power Delivery 3.0 Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0, Adaptive Fast Charging, Power Delivery 3.0 Both phones have fast charging technology.
Wireless Charging Yes Yes Both phones can be charged wirelessly.
Wireless Charging Standards WPC, Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare WPC, Qi, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare
Talk Time 2400 minutes 1800 minutes Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G has longer battery life when making calls than Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Run Time Details Talk (4G): up to 2400 min
Active online usage (LTE): up to 15 hrs
Active online usage (Wi-Fi): up to 17 hrs
Playback (wireless video): up to 22 hrs
Playback (wireless audio): up to 75 hrs
Talk (LTE): up to 1800 min
Active online usage (LTE): up to 14 hrs
Active online usage (Wi-Fi): up to 15 hrs
Playback (wireless video): up to 19 hrs
Playback (wireless audio): up to 72 hrs
CELLULAR Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Technology WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM CDMA2000 1X / GSM / WCDMA (UMTS)
Mobile Broadband Generation 5G 5G Both phones have the same mobile network generation.
Operating System Android 11 Android 11
Intelligent Assistant Bixby Bixby
Payment Technology Samsung Pay Samsung Pay
Navigation GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
COMMUNICATIONS Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Data Transmission FDD-LTE, TDD-LTE, 5G NR FR1 FDD-LTE, TDD-LTE, 5G NR FR1, 5G NR FR2
2G Band 850 GSM, 900 GSM, 1800 GSM, 1900 GSM 850 GSM, 900 GSM, 1800 GSM, 1900 GSM, 800 CDMA2000 1X, 1900 CDMA2000 1X
3G UMTS Band Band 1, Band 2, Band 4, Band 5, Band 8 Band 1, Band 2, Band 4, Band 5, Band 8
3G UMTS Frequency 2100, 1900, 1700, 850, 900 2100, 1900, 1700, 850, 900
4G LTE Band Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 12, Band 13, Band 17, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 32, Band 38, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 66 Band 1, Band 2, Band 3, Band 4, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8, Band 12, Band 13, Band 14, Band 18, Band 19, Band 20, Band 25, Band 26, Band 28, Band 30, Band 38, Band 39, Band 40, Band 41, Band 46, Band 48, Band 66, Band 71
4G LTE Frequency FDD 2100, FDD 1900 PCS, FDD 1800+, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS, FDD 850, FDD 2600, FDD 900, FDD 700a, FDD 700c, FDD 700b, FDD 800 lower, FDD 800 upper, FDD 800 DD, FDD 1900+, FDD 850+, FDD 700 APT, FDD 1500 L, TDD 2600, TDD 1900, TDD 2300, TDD 2500, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS-3 FDD 2100, FDD 1900 PCS, FDD 1800+, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS, FDD 850, FDD 2600, FDD 900, FDD 700a, FDD 700c, FDD 700 PS, FDD 800 lower, FDD 800 upper, FDD 800 DD, FDD 1900+, FDD 850+, FDD 700 APT, FDD 2300 WCS, TDD 2600, TDD 1900, TDD 2300, TDD 2500, TDD 5150, TDD 3600, FDD 1700 - 2110 AWS-3, FDD 600
5G NR Band N1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n41, n66, n77, n78, n40 N41, n71, n260, n261
5G NR Frequency FDD 2100, FDD 1800, FDD 850, FDD 2600, FDD 900, FDD 800, FDD 700APT, TDD TD 2600, TDD TD 2500, FDD AWS-3, TDD TD 3700, TDD TD 3500, TDD 2300 TDD TD 2500, FDD 600, TDD 39GHz, TDD 28GHz
Wireless Interface IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.0
NFC Yes Yes Both phones have an NFC reader for mobile payments.
MEDIA Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Supported Digital Audio Standards WAV, WMA, AAC, PCM, AMR, MP3, FLAC, XMF, OGG, MIDI, APE (Monkey's Audio), M4A, DSF, DSD, MXMF, OGA, 3GA, AWB, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DFF, MID, DSD64, DSD128 WAV, AAC, PCM, AMR, MP3, FLAC, XMF, OGG, MIDI, APE (Monkey's Audio), M4A, DSF, MXMF, OGA, 3GA, AWB, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DFF, MID, DSD64, DSD128
Supported Digital Video Standards MKV, FLV, AVI, WMV, ASF, 3GP, M4V, WebM, 3G2, MP4 MKV, FLV, AVI, 3GP, M4V, WebM, 3G2, MP4
Sound Enhancements Dolby Digital Plus sound, Dolby Atmos sound technology, Surround sound, stereo speakers tuned by AKG, Dolby Digital sound Dolby Digital Plus sound, Dolby Atmos sound technology, Surround sound, stereo speakers tuned by AKG, Dolby Digital sound
FEATURES Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Phone Functions Speakerphone, voice control, call timer, conference call, flight mode, voice dialing, vibrating alert Speakerphone, voice control, call timer, conference call, flight mode, voice dialing, vibrating alert
Sensors Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, barometer, gyro sensor, hall sensor, geomagnetic sensor Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, barometer, gyro sensor, hall sensor, geomagnetic sensor
Security Devices Fingerprint reader (under display), face recognition Fingerprint reader (under display), face recognition
Additional Phone Features Air View, MIMO technology, Smart Select, Samsung KNOX, Smart View, Live message, Screen off memo, Bixby Vision, Dual Audio, Bixby Routines, Intelligent Performance Enhancer, AR Doodle, PENUP, Bixby key, Samsung Knox Vault, Private Share function, Enhanced Game Booster MIMO technology, Screen Write, notification flashlight, Smart Select, Fast Charging, Samsung KNOX, Smart View, Live message, Screen off memo, Samsung DeX support, Bixby Vision, TalkBack, Dual Audio, Bixby Routines, Intelligent Performance Enhancer, Bixby key, Bluetooth Scalable Codec, Samsung Knox Vault, Private Share function, Enhanced Game Booster, Air Command
OTHERS Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Included Accessories SIM card removal tool, USB-C to USB-C cable SIM card removal tool, USB-C to USB-C cable
Compliant Standards IP68, HAC (Hearing Aid Compatible) VDE, IP68, HAC (Hearing Aid Compatible), SGS Eye Care Display Certification
Max Depth of Water Resistance 1.5 m 1.5 m
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