Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S20: the same, or almost

Despite a very similar architecture and design, it is indeed in terms of its internal components that the S21 benefits from some improvements from the Korean giant. While the S20 released last year was based on an exynos 990, the Samsung Galaxy S21 benefits from the latest generation of home processor, with an exynos 2100. On the RAM side, the S21 is satisfied with a unique 8 GB configuration, where the S20 benefited from an additional variant at 12 GB. A specificity that should not be felt in use promises Samsung, thanks to Multiple software optimizations of his new flagship. Finally on the storage side, the S21 abandons the memory extension via microSD, but now offers a configuration to 256 GB of memory. A largely sufficient option during the cloud.

Should you buy a Samsung Galaxy S20, S21 or wait for the Galaxy S22 ?

The Galaxy S20 being the good deal of the moment, we compare its best characteristics to those of the Galaxy S21 and the future Galaxy S22.

The CNET France team with CNET.com

Posted on 09/14/2021 at 4:15 PM | Updated on 09/14/2021

The Galaxy S21 and Samsung Galaxy S20 are both excellent Android smartphones, so much so that a buyer could perfectly consider one of these two models to save a little money rather than waiting for S22. The Galaxy S20, in particular, experienced a considerable price drop. It is found at the moment at less than 450 euros and it is much cheaper than the Galaxy S21 which is worth 799 euros. But is it still wise to buy an S20 or an S21 now, knowing that the Galaxy S22 will arrive in a few months ?

Although Samsung has made interesting improvements to the Galaxy S21, there are also some functions that the old Galaxy S20 has and which are lacking in S21. This deserves to be taken into account to determine the best value for money for you. Of course, it is also necessary to take into account rumors about the Galaxy S22 and the new features it could bring.

5g

5G is only in its infancy. Most operators still deploy the network that will take some time to hold all of its promises in terms of coverage and performance. That said, Samsung has introduced 5G compatibility from the Galaxy S20. It is also available on the Galaxy S21 and it is certain that it will be on the Galaxy S22. But there are differences in terms of the 5G signal type that the two existing phones support.

The Galaxy S20, on most models, supports 5G of Sub-6 type, whose advanced speeds are slower than those of the millimeter wave version which is still being deployed.

If 5G is important to you, then the Galaxy S21 is probably the best choice, because it supports the two types of signals on all models. But if this is not the case, then the increased speeds that you can get with the S20 will probably be sufficient for most of your needs.

Camera

The Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy S21 have the same photo modules, which gives a technical draw and a victory for the Galaxy S20 which is cheaper. The two models are equipped with a 64-megapixel telephoto lens, a 12-megapixel high angle camera and an ultra-wide 12-megapixel camera. At the front, there is a 10 megapixel module for selfies.

There are not yet many rumors on the photo part of the basic galaxy S22, but there are speculation suggesting that the most high -end Galaxy S22 will include a 200 megapixel sensor.

Software support

The duration of the software support is often one of the main reasons for not buying a one -year -old phone. As a general rule, most mobiles are launched with a precise calendar on the number of years during which manufacturers plan to continue to update them with the latest versions of Android.

The S20 and Galaxy S21 series both receive at least three generations of Android, the first having been launched with Android 10. This means that the Galaxy S20 is guaranteed to receive Android 12 and Android 13. The Galaxy S21 will go to Android 14. But unlike Google pixel or Apple iPhone, Samsung takes the time to customize Android for its phones and often launches its software updates several months after the release of an Android update.

In addition, Samsung undertakes to provide four years of security updates to certain devices launched after 2019, which includes the Galaxy S20 and S21. This means that the Galaxy S20 will benefit from security updates until 2024 and S21 until 2025. This should make it possible to use a Galaxy S20 for a fairly long period before the end of the security updates.

The screen

The Galaxy S20 offers a higher display definition than that of S21. Its 6.2 -inch Dynamic AMOLED screen displays 3,200 x 1,440 pixels, a density of 563 pixels per inch and a cooling rate up to 120 Hz (60 Hz by default).

The Galaxy S21 has a 6.2 inch AMOLED screen of 2,400 × 1,080 pixels and a pixel density of 421 pp. The screen benefits from an adaptive refresh rate to go from 48Hz to 120Hz, which allows the phone to show greater graphic fidelity when necessary and save the battery the rest of the time.

Wait a little before you decide

While the Galaxy S20 could save you several hundred euros compared to the price of the Galaxy S21, it is important to add that we expect to see a galaxy s21 fe more affordable. This could be a convincing alternative for all those who envision the Galaxy S20, because it would probably take up a lot of the characteristics of the Galaxy S21 while benefiting from four full years of software support.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S20: the same, or almost

Officialized only a few days ago, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is already promising to establish itself as one of the biggest flagships of the year. But is it really worth the blow to its predecessor the Samsung Galaxy S20 ?

Announced on January 14 at its traditional Unpacked conference, the Samsung Galaxy S21 should not surprise itself as one of the commercial successes of the year in the Smartphone Premium sector. But is it really worth abandoning its predecessor the Galaxy S20, released less than a year earlier ? We take stock.

Design: no big difference

Aesthetically, Samsung has not innovated much by imagining the profile of its S21. At the front, it is besides difficult to distinguish flagship from the Galaxy S20. With their 6.2 -inch flat slab, their only central hallmark and their almost nonexistent edges, the two smartphones assume their relationship. Only their rear face ultimately allows them to differentiate them. The Galaxy S21 thus has a largely more imposing photo block, which has the originality of overflowing on the left edge of the phone. In terms of colors too, Samsung plays originality this year, with silver, black, white, purple and pink tones, while the S20 is available in gray, blue and pink.

Screen: identical … but different

Despite two screens Dynamic Amoled 6.2 inch, Samsung is making some changes on the screen of his S21. In terms of its resolution first, where the S20 benefited from the Quad HD+ (1440 × 3200), The S21 is “happy” of FHD+. An undoubtedly imperceptible back to the naked eye, but which could disappoint purists. Apart from that, the two screens play elbows, with a 120 Hz refreshment rate, ensuring smartphones optimal fluidity, as well as support for HDR10+.

Under the hood: the S21 prevails

Despite a very similar architecture and design, it is indeed in terms of its internal components that the S21 benefits from some improvements from the Korean giant. While the S20 released last year was based on an exynos 990, the Samsung Galaxy S21 benefits from the latest generation of home processor, with an exynos 2100. On the RAM side, the S21 is satisfied with a unique 8 GB configuration, where the S20 benefited from an additional variant at 12 GB. A specificity that should not be felt in use promises Samsung, thanks to Multiple software optimizations of his new flagship. Finally on the storage side, the S21 abandons the memory extension via microSD, but now offers a configuration to 256 GB of memory. A largely sufficient option during the cloud.

Another notable improvement on the S21, The native and generalized management of 5G. Released last year, the S20 range was still shy with the new mobile standard, by offering its care only on certain models, fatally more expensive. This year, Samsung has chosen to democratize 5G on all of its Galaxy S smartphones. A logical and necessary evolution for a premium range.

Autonomy: from the same to the same

Like Xiaomi and Apple, Samsung has decided this year to withdraw the chargers from its smartphones boxes, with the aim of reducing its environmental impact (and making some additional benefits via the annexed block sale). The S21 range is therefore the first to inaugurate this new measure, by only offering a USB-C to USB-A cable in its box. After this small material detail, the Galaxy S21 will take up the characteristics of the S20 to the letter, with an identical battery of 4000 mAh, and a quick wired recharge at 25W. Like its predecessor, the new samsung flagship will also integrate the 15W wireless load, as well as the now traditional power-share, or 4.5W inverted load. S21 software improvements should still allow the smartphone not to lose autonomy, despite its 5G management, more gourmet in resources.

Photo: we take the same and start again

Building on the success of its impressive camera on the Ultra S20, Samsung preferred to play security this year, integrating a Block identical to its S21. A “recycling” who does not take anything away from the impressive triple back sensor of the smartphone, of 12 MPX + 64 MPX (telephoto) + 12 mpx (UGA). On the other hand, the manufacturer has focused on certain software improvements to perfect the user experience and enrich its S21. Flagship thus benefits from a new Director fashion During video shots (up to 8k in 24 FPS), capable of simultaneously activating all the sensors in order to be able to make a montage with different focal lengths. Always on video, the mode Super stabilized action-cam now allows 1080p support in 60 fps.

Price: better, for cheaper

Offered in with a unique RAM of 8 GB, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is offered from 859 € For its 128 GB version, and up to € 909 for its 256 GB version. An obviously high price, but which remains more affordable than the S20 was at the time of its release. Indeed, the previous model had been announced from € 909 (128+8 GB version), and up to € 1009 for the 128+12 GM version.

Data sheets

Galaxy S20	Galaxy S21
Screen	– Dynamic Amoled 6.2 inch – Flat screen in 20: 9 – Definition 1440×3200 (Quad HD+) – 563ppp density – HDR10+ – 120Hz – 240Hz Touch Sensor – Gorilla Glass 6 – Punch in the center	– Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.2 inch – Flat screen in 20: 9 – Full HD definition+ – Density – HDR10+ – 120Hz – 240Hz Touch Sensor – Gorilla Glass 6 – Punch in the center
Design	– Aluminum outline – Glass back – IP68	– Aluminum outline – Plastic back – IP68
SOC and GPU	– Exynos 990 (max. 2.73GHz + 2.6GHz + 2.0 GHz) – GPU Mali-G76 MP12 – 7 nm engraving	– Exynos 2100 – 5nm engraving
Memory	– 8GB or 12GB of RAM – 128GB of storage – Micro-SD memory port up to 1TO	– 8GB of ram – 128GB or 256 GB of storage – Not micro-SD port
Color	– Cosmic Gray – Cloud Blue – Cosmic Pink	– Phantom Black – Phantom Silver – Phantom Purple – Phantom Pink
Camera	– 12 MP main sensor – Opening F/1.8 and optical stabilization – Autofocus Dual Pixel – 3X telephoto sensor of 64 mp – Opening F/2.0 and optical stabilization – Ultra Grand-Angle sensor of 12 Mp – FOV 123 ° and opening f/2.2 – Automatic HDR photo – Night Mode on 30 images – HYBRID OPTIC ZOOM 3X – 30x space zoom (digital)

– 8K video capture at 30fps
– 33MP 8K snap photo
– Ultrahd video capture at 60FPS
– Slow down up to 960fps in 1080p
– Optical video stabilization up to 4K
– Digital video stabilization in 8K
– Super stabilized 1080p super stabilized video cam
– Night Hyperlapse

– Single Shot mode
Photo (Ai Best Moment, Ultra Wide Shot, Live Focus, Ai Filter, Smart Crop)
Video (Forward and backward videos, original video)

– Automatic HDR photo
– Night Mode
– HYBRID OPTIC ZOOM 3X
– 30x space zoom (digital)

– 8K video capture at 24fps
– 33MP 8K snap photo
– Ultrahd video capture at 60FPS
– Slow down up to 960fps in 1080p
– Optical video stabilization up to 4K
– Digital video stabilization in 8K
– Super stabilized 1080p super stabilized video cam
– Night Hyperlapse

– Single Shot 2 mode
Photo (Ai Best Moment, Ultra Wide Shot, Live Focus, Ai Filter, Smart Crop)
Video (Forward and backward videos, original video)

Our opinion

Without making huge differences on its new generation of Galaxy S21, the new samsung flagship benefits from a few notable improvement points compared to its predecessor, while succeeding in the bet to be marketed less than the latter. With its Exynos 2100 SOC, the care of 5G and its pre-order offer including a pair of Live Buds headphones until January 28, the latest Born of the Korean giant is a better investment if you are looking for today ‘Hui to offer you a premium smartphone intended to last over time. However, the S21 displays very similar characteristics with the Galaxy S20, which should see its price drastically fall in the coming weeks. If the price of the S21 cools you, therefore stay on the lookout for price reductions on the S20, which is still today an excellent high -end smartphone. Be careful however, the brand has already announced the stopping of production of its old model. It will therefore be a question of not delaying too much.