Are you thinking of buying the Samsung Galaxy S21 but you wonder if you should save some money and opt for the series Galaxy S20 oldest? When it comes down to it, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference between the Galaxy S21 and S22. However, when we look at the details, we realize that Samsung has improved the S21 in many ways.
Let's see the changes, the improvements and also the degradations, that there are, to see if it is worth buying the Samsung Galaxy S21 or save some money and get the Galaxy S20 instead, for significantly less money.
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Galaxy S20: The main differences
Overall, Samsung has made some major improvements to the Galaxy S21 lineup that help improve usability in a big way.
Screen and fingerprint sensor
The Galaxy S21 series uses a new and largest ultrasonic fingerprint scanner from Qualcomm. This greatly helps with unlock speed, as the S20 series fingerprint scanner was notorious for false readings and failing to read the fingerprint correctly on a good many occasions.
Samsung is using a variable refresh rate OLED panel across the entire S21 lineup. This allows the screen to dynamically adjust the refresh rate based on the content being viewed, saving battery power. This has a noticeable impact on battery life, especially on the Galaxy S21 Ultra, whose display can drop to as low as 10Hz.
The screens of all three variants of the Galaxy S21 are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, which is the most durable, to date.
A better processor in the Samsung Galaxy S21
The series of Galaxy S21 mobile phones use chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100. Based on 5nm manufacturing, the two chips are faster and more efficient than the Snapdragon 865 / Exynos 990 found inside the Galaxy S20.
The Exynos 2100, in particular, is a big step up from the Exynos 990, which was notorious for overheating issues and poor battery life. These chips also feature an integrated 5G modem that offers 5G connectivity faster and better. This makes the Galaxy S21 series among the best 5G smartphones on the market.
Expandable storage
There is no option to expand storage on the Galaxy S21 series as they lack a microSD card slot, unlike the Galaxy S20. Samsung has completely removed the microSD card slot on the S21. However, with 128GB as base storage, this shouldn't be a cause for concern for anyone.
Samsung sells the Galaxy S21 in a 256GB variant, plus a 512GB option for the Ultra. If you need a lot of space, you can buy a higher storage variant.
Accessories
Samsung does not include a headset or USB-C power adapter with the Galaxy S21 series. This means that you will have to buy a USB-C power adapter for your Galaxy S21 separately.
Galaxy S21 vs. S20: How are they the same?
In some areas, the Galaxy S21 is actually a downgrade of the Galaxy S20. However, there are many usability improvements that help provide a better experience.
Samsung has removed the glass from the S21 and switched to polycarbonate plastic. The rear has a new design language where the camera bump has been extended from the main chassis, but the switch to plastic means the S21 feels less premium in the hand compared to the Galaxy S20.
The size of the Galaxy S21 is the same as the Galaxy S20, making it a relatively compact Android flagship.
The camera setup of the Galaxy S20 is the same as the Galaxy S21. A 12MP f/1.8 main shooter with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide and a 64MP telephoto sensor. The only improvements on the newer Galaxy are improved processing and some new camera modes. As for the 10MP front selfie camera it is also the same on both devices.
Battery size (4000mAh) and charging speeds (25W) remain the same on both devices. However, the Galaxy S21 will last longer as it has a more efficient screen and chipset. While there were quite a few differences between the Galaxy S10 and S10e, the Galaxy S20 and S21 are very similar.
Which one to buy? the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the Galaxy S20
It's time to decide which one you stay with, buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the most affordable now, the Galaxy S20. Everything depends on your pocket and the desire to have the latest from Samsung. If you have decided to buy online as the «covid time» trend is now, you will find them below:
Comparison table of prices of the Samsung Galaxy S21 128 Gb and 256 GB with the Samsung Galaxy S20 128 Gb
Galaxy S21 Plus vs. S20 Plus
The middle child of the Galaxy S21 lineup, the S21+ receives some notable upgrades and downgrades over the S20+.
Both feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. However, the S21+ has a resolution of 1080x2400 (FHD+) while the Galaxy S20+ has a resolution of 1440x3200 (QHD+).
Despite the drop in resolution and pixel density, the Galaxy S21+ screen is better as it has a dynamic refresh rate, which helps with power savings. It also has a higher maximum brightness which helps when viewing HDR content.
The drop in resolution doesn't lead to a noticeable drop in screen sharpness, so you won't notice this change.
Samsung has also switched to a flat screen panel on the Galaxy S21+. This may seem like a throwback to the curved screen of the Galaxy S20+. However, the flat screen helps with one-handed use, as curved screens cause a lot of accidental touches.
The Galaxy S21+ has a new rear design, and unlike the Galaxy S21, it still features a glass back. Like its predecessor, the Galaxy S21+ is IP68 waterproof and dustproof, and also features wireless charging along with reverse wireless charging.
Camera and battery on the Samsung Galaxy S21+ and S20+
Samsung uses the same triple-camera setup in the Galaxy S21+ as the Galaxy S20+, albeit without the ToF sensor. This means you get the same 12MP f/1.8 main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 64MP telephoto sensor.
Samsung has also increased the battery capacity of the Galaxy S21 + to 4800 mAh. Add the most efficient screen and chipset and the Galaxy S21+ will outlast the Galaxy S20+ and its 4500mAh battery.
Since both devices feature 25W wired and 15W wireless charging, their charging speeds are the same as well. There's also reverse wireless charging, so you can easily charge your wireless headphones and other Galaxy accessories.
Price comparison table of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ with the Samsung Galaxy S20+
Galaxy S21 Ultra vs. S20 Ultra
The largest of the three Galaxy S21 variants, Ultra packs a lot of big improvements over last year's Galaxy S20 Ultra.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra ships with a slightly smaller 6,8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display compared to the 6,9-inch panel on the S20 Ultra. However, it uses a more advanced panel that is noticeably more efficient and can also lower its refresh rate to as low as 10Hz. Peak brightness is also rated for 1500 nits while playing HDR10 videos.
Camera
When it comes to buying the Samsung Galaxy S21 or S20, the Galaxy S21 Ultra's camera setup is a big step up from the S20 Ultra. The main 108MP camera sensor remains the same with an f/1.8 aperture, but Samsung has managed to fix all the autofocus issues that plagued its previous Galaxy S flagship.
To improve zoom performance, Samsung now uses two different zoom sensors in the S21 Ultra. There's a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto sensor offering 3x optical zoom and a 10MP f/4.9 periscope telephoto sensor with 10x zoom. That's a change from the S20 Ultra, which only has a 48MP f/3.5 periscope telephoto sensor that offers 4x optical zoom and 10x hybrid zoom.
While both devices also offer 100x digital zoom, the S21 Ultra takes noticeably sharper photos with more detail thanks to the 10x periscope sensor and processing enhancements.
The 40MP f/2.2 front-facing selfie shooter remains the same on both Galaxy S devices. Its performance and capabilities also remain the same, including the ability to shoot 4K 60fps video.
Battery life and other extras
In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy S21 Ultra has a faster and more efficient 5G modem. Additionally, it is the only device in the Galaxy S21 lineup to support ultra-wideband connectivity along with Wi-Fi 6E.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the only device in the S21 series that supports S Pen. However, Samsung does not include an S Pen with the device.
While the battery capacity of the Galaxy S21 Ultra remains the same as the Galaxy S20 Ultra (5000mAh), its maximum charging speed has been reduced to 25W from 45W. This shouldn't make much of a difference, as the S20 Ultra only took advantage of the 45W charger when charged from zero to 20 percent.
Price comparison table of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Galaxy S21 price vs. Galaxy S20
The Samsung Galaxy S21 line has a lower retail price than the Galaxy S20 series a year ago. The Galaxy S21 has a starting price of 715 euros; the S21 + from 805 euros and S21 Ultra from 1.099 euros.
The Galaxy S20 lineup should be heavily discounted right now. Still, with the lower retail price, the Galaxy S21 series is a more tempting purchase as it's getting some significant usability improvements.
Be sure to check out deals on the Galaxy S21 series before you buy the device, as Samsung flagships are almost always discounted.
Samsung Galaxy S21 or S20: Making the Right Choice
So, buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 or the S20? At first, you might be tempted to save a few euros or dollars and opt to buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 instead of the Galaxy S21. If you don't really care about the usability improvements that the S21 series brings with it or you just want an Android mobile phone for basic use and you're on the lookout for a great deal on the Galaxy S20, you can opt to buy the Samsung Galaxy S20.
However, if you don't mind spending a little more for a better user experience and being up to date with Samsung's cutting-edge technology, it is highly recommended to choose to buy the Samsung Galaxy S21, as the improvements it includes will really stand out, within one or two years.