Galaxy S21+ 5G vs Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S24, launched in January 2024, represent different generations of Samsung's flagship smartphone line. While both offer a premium Android experience, the S24 introduces significant advancements in software longevity, processing power, and display technology. These devices cater to users seeking high-performance smartphones within the Android ecosystem.

The expected practical lifespan and software support differ considerably between these two models, primarily due to Samsung's updated commitment to software longevity for newer devices.

• Release Timeline and Age: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G was released in early 2021, making it a three-year-old device at the time of the S24's launch. The Galaxy S24, being a 2024 model, benefits from a more recent manufacturing process and newer components. [1, 6, 15]
• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G typically received four years of major Android OS updates and five years of security updates from its release. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 is part of Samsung's new policy, guaranteeing seven years of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, extending its software support significantly further into the future. [1, 17, 23, 28]
• Repairability: While specific repairability scores for the S21 Plus 5G are less commonly cited, the Galaxy S24 has received a high repairability score of 9/10 from some assessments, noting features like easily removable batteries with pull tabs and less adhesive in its construction, which can simplify repairs. [9, 10, 12, 19, 20]

Both devices offer robust performance for their respective generations, but the newer Galaxy S24 provides a more advanced and efficient experience for demanding tasks.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, powered by its generation's leading processor, handles everyday applications, multitasking, and moderate gaming smoothly. The Galaxy S24 features a significantly newer and more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother transitions, and enhanced performance for graphically intensive games and complex applications. [1, 5, 11, 16, 37]
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G is equipped with a 4800 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of moderate use. The Galaxy S24 has a 4000 mAh battery, but its more efficient processor and display technology often allow it to achieve comparable or even improved battery endurance for typical daily usage. [1, 5, 8, 11, 15, 27, 31]
• Storage and Responsiveness: Both models offer 8GB of RAM, ensuring capable multitasking. The Galaxy S24 introduces faster UFS 4.0 storage for most configurations (excluding the 128GB variant which uses UFS 3.1), contributing to quicker data access and overall system responsiveness compared to the S21 Plus 5G's UFS 3.1 storage. [5, 13, 36]

Both smartphones feature high-quality displays, but the Galaxy S24 incorporates advancements that enhance viewing clarity and outdoor visibility.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G and the Galaxy S24 feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The S21 Plus 5G has a 6.7-inch Flat FHD+ display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The Galaxy S24 has a slightly smaller 6.2-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in a slightly higher pixel density for sharper images. [1, 4, 5, 13, 15, 36]
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S21 Plus 5G offers a peak brightness of 1300 nits and an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 48Hz to 120Hz. The Galaxy S24 significantly boosts peak brightness to 2600 nits, improving visibility in bright outdoor conditions, and features a more dynamic refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz for greater power efficiency. [1, 2, 3, 11, 14, 39, 41]
• Screen Protection: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for display protection. The Galaxy S24 upgrades to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering enhanced durability against drops and scratches. [1, 2, 36, 39]

Both devices feature versatile triple-camera systems, but the Galaxy S24 benefits from a newer main sensor and improved image processing.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G includes a 12MP main wide-angle camera, a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x hybrid zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The Galaxy S24 features a 50MP main wide-angle camera, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The S24's larger main sensor and dedicated optical zoom telephoto often result in more detailed and versatile images. [1, 3, 18, 34, 38, 43, 44]
• Photography Performance: The S21 Plus 5G produces vibrant and detailed photos, with good dynamic range, though some users noted Samsung's tendency for oversaturation at the time. The Galaxy S24 offers improved image processing, often resulting in more natural colors and better low-light performance, with its main camera excelling in various conditions. [18, 21, 24, 33, 43, 45]
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both phones support up to 8K video recording. The S21 Plus 5G has a 10MP front camera. The Galaxy S24 upgrades to a 12MP front camera with autofocus, providing sharper selfies and improved video call quality. [8, 18, 24, 36, 38, 39]