Galaxy A23 vs Galaxy S21+ 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A23, released in March 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, launched in January 2021, represent different segments within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G was positioned as a flagship device, offering advanced features and performance, whereas the Galaxy A23 was designed as a more accessible option. The primary distinctions lie in their display technology, processing power, and camera capabilities.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors come into play, including software support and physical durability.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, as a former flagship, was promised four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security updates from its release. This means it received updates up to Android 15 and security patches until early 2026. The Galaxy A23, a more recent mid-range device, was eligible for two major Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates. Having launched with Android 12, it has received updates up to Android 14 and is expected to receive security patches until early 2026.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a more robust build with Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back, coupled with an aluminum frame, and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy A23 uses Gorilla Glass 5 for its display and has a plastic back and frame, without an official IP rating for water and dust resistance.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G generally scores well in repairability, with some modular components, though its glued battery and certain flex cables can make repairs more complex. The Galaxy A23 is also considered relatively repairable, with a score of 6.75 to 8.1 out of 10, indicating that components like the back plate, camera lens covers, and battery can be replaced with appropriate tools.

The performance difference between these two devices is notable, reflecting their original market positioning.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G offers a significantly more powerful processing unit, enabling smoother navigation, faster app loading, and more fluid multitasking. Users report a consistently responsive experience, even with demanding applications. The Galaxy A23 handles daily tasks adequately, but some users have noted occasional lag and slower performance, especially when multitasking or running more intensive applications.
• Multitasking and Gaming: With its higher amount of RAM and more capable processor, the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G is better equipped for heavy multitasking and graphically intensive gaming, maintaining stable frame rates and quicker transitions between applications. The Galaxy A23, while capable of running most games and apps, may exhibit slower loading times and reduced performance in demanding scenarios.
• Storage Options: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G comes with ample internal storage options, typically 128GB or 256GB, without expandable storage. The Galaxy A23 offers 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, with the added flexibility of a microSD card slot for expansion up to 1TB.

The visual experience is a key differentiator, with distinct display technologies and features.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. The Galaxy A23 has a 6.6-inch PLS LCD screen, which provides good colors but does not achieve the same level of contrast or black depth as an AMOLED panel.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G offers an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, providing a very smooth scrolling and viewing experience that adjusts dynamically to content. The Galaxy A23 features a 90Hz refresh rate, which is smoother than a standard 60Hz display but not as fluid as the S21 Plus 5G's adaptive 120Hz.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the S21 Plus 5G can achieve higher peak brightness levels, making it more comfortable to view in bright outdoor conditions. The Galaxy A23's LCD screen, while generally bright, may struggle more with direct sunlight visibility.

Both devices offer multi-camera setups, but their capabilities and resulting image quality vary significantly.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a versatile triple camera system, including a 12MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens capable of hybrid optical zoom. The Galaxy A23 comes with a quad-camera setup, highlighted by a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 5MP ultrawide, and two 2MP sensors for macro and depth.
• Photography Performance: The S21 Plus 5G generally delivers excellent photos with good detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy across various lighting conditions, including improved low-light performance. The A23's main camera can capture decent photos in good lighting, but its ultrawide and macro lenses offer more limited detail, and low-light performance can be grainy.
• Video Recording: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G supports high-resolution video recording, including up to 8K at 24 frames per second, offering more advanced video capabilities. The Galaxy A23 is limited to 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second, without a 60fps option.
• Audio Experience: The S21 Plus 5G provides a more premium audio experience with stereo speakers. The Galaxy A23 typically features a single, mono speaker.