Galaxy S21+ 5G vs Galaxy S24+

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, released in early 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, launched in early 2024, represent different generations of Samsung's large-screen flagship smartphone line. While both devices offer a premium Android experience, the S24 Plus introduces significant advancements in display technology, processing power, and long-term software support, building upon the solid foundation laid by its predecessor.

Evaluating the practical lifespan of these devices involves considering their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

• Release and Software Support: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, released in January 2021, typically received four years of major Android operating system updates and five years of security updates, meaning its official software support concluded around early 2026. [29, 35] In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Plus, launched in January 2024, benefits from Samsung's extended commitment, promising seven years of both OS and security updates, extending its support well into 2031. [1, 13, 29, 31, 35] This difference significantly impacts how long users can expect to receive new features and security patches.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in water. [6, 32] The S21 Plus 5G uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for its front and back panels, along with an aluminum frame. [8, 32] The S24 Plus upgrades to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for enhanced screen protection and features an Armor Aluminum frame, which is designed for increased resilience. [1, 2, 17, 22, 23]
• Repairability: The Galaxy S24 Plus has demonstrated a high repairability score, with some assessments giving it an 8/10 or 9/10, noting features like easily removable batteries with pull tabs. [5, 39, 41, 44] Information regarding the specific repairability score for the S21 Plus 5G is less readily available, but generally, newer Samsung flagships have shown improvements in this area.

The performance capabilities of these smartphones are largely determined by their internal components, influencing everything from app responsiveness to multitasking and gaming.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G is powered by a processor that handles everyday tasks smoothly, allowing for efficient app loading and navigation. [19, 32] The Galaxy S24 Plus, being a newer generation device, incorporates a more advanced processor. This results in noticeably faster performance for demanding applications, more fluid multitasking, and a smoother experience in graphically intensive games. [1, 10, 11, 20, 22, 24]
• Memory and Storage: The S21 Plus 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most daily usage and moderate multitasking. [4, 6, 8] The S24 Plus features 12GB of RAM as standard, providing greater headroom for keeping multiple applications open in the background without slowdowns and contributing to overall system responsiveness. [3, 15, 17, 22, 24, 28] Both devices offer internal storage options of 128GB and 256GB, with the S24 Plus also offering a 512GB variant. [1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 15, 17, 18, 28]
• Battery Performance: The S21 Plus 5G is equipped with a 4800 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of use for many users. [4, 6, 27, 32] The S24 Plus features a slightly larger 4900 mAh battery. [1, 3, 7, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18, 28] User reports indicate that the S24 Plus, particularly the Snapdragon variant, offers impressive battery longevity, often lasting up to two days with moderate usage, and consistently providing a long day of heavy use. [7, 9, 10, 14, 20, 21] Charging speeds are also improved on the S24 Plus, supporting 45W wired charging compared to the S21 Plus 5G's 25W. [1, 9, 17, 24]

The visual experience on a smartphone is heavily influenced by its display technology, resolution, and brightness.

• Display Technology and Size: Both the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G and the Galaxy S24 Plus feature a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. [6, 8, 26, 27, 33, 42] The S24 Plus, however, incorporates LTPO technology, allowing for a more dynamic and efficient refresh rate. [2, 16, 17, 18]
• Resolution and Clarity: The S21 Plus 5G offers a Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels), providing a clear and sharp viewing experience for most content. [6, 8, 27, 32, 42] The S24 Plus significantly upgrades to a Quad HD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels), matching the resolution of the Ultra models. [1, 2, 3, 9, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 24] This higher pixel density results in noticeably crisper text and finer detail, especially when viewing high-resolution images or videos. [16]
• Brightness and Smoothness: The S21 Plus 5G has a peak brightness of 1300 nits and an adaptive refresh rate that ranges from 48Hz to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and good visibility in various lighting conditions. [26, 32, 33, 40] The S24 Plus boasts a much higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it exceptionally bright and easy to view even under direct sunlight. [1, 9, 11, 16, 17, 18, 22] Its refresh rate is also more adaptive, ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, which contributes to both smoother visuals and improved power efficiency. [1, 2, 11, 16, 17]

Both devices offer versatile camera systems designed to capture a wide range of photos and videos, though with generational improvements.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a triple camera setup with a 12MP wide main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens capable of 3x hybrid zoom. [6, 30, 34] This system delivers vibrant and detailed images in good lighting, with effective low-light performance. [19, 37, 38] The Galaxy S24 Plus also has a triple camera array, consisting of a 50MP wide main lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. [1, 9, 11, 15, 17, 18, 25, 28] While the S24 Plus's hardware is similar to its immediate predecessor, it benefits from enhanced image processing and AI-powered editing capabilities, leading to more natural images and improved overall quality. [9, 11, 17, 24, 25]
• Video Recording: Both phones are capable of recording video at up to 8K resolution. The S21 Plus 5G records 8K at 24 frames per second (fps), while the S24 Plus can record 8K at 30fps, offering slightly smoother high-resolution footage. [25, 28, 30, 32] Both also offer robust 4K recording options. [19, 25, 32]
• Front Camera and Audio: The S21 Plus 5G includes a 10MP front-facing camera. [6, 38] The S24 Plus upgrades to a 12MP front camera, providing sharper selfies and improved video call quality. [1, 9, 17, 28] Both devices offer good speaker output for media consumption and clear microphone quality for calls and recordings. [20, 24, 32]