Samsung Galaxy S20
#745
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
#469Category Breakdown
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Performance
64.870.8
Camera
53.653.6
Display
88.588.5
Battery
66.066.0
Build
79.879.8
Overall
68.470.2
Summary
- The Samsung Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S21 5G share a similar build quality with glass fronts and aluminum frames, but the S21 features Gorilla Glass Victus and a slightly heavier design.
- Both phones have a 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, but the S21 offers a higher peak brightness of 1300 nits and a lower resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels compared to the S20's 1440 x 3200 pixels.
- In terms of performance, the S21 is powered by the more advanced Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888, providing improved efficiency and graphics capabilities over the S20's Exynos 990 or Snapdragon 865.
- The camera systems are nearly identical, with both offering a 12 MP wide, 64 MP telephoto, and 12 MP ultrawide setup, but the S21 enhances video recording with higher frame rates at 1080p.
- Both models have a 4000 mAh battery with 25W charging, but the S21 supports more extensive software updates, running Android 11 with up to four major upgrades compared to the S20's Android 10 with fewer future updates.
Side-by-side Specification Comparison
Samsung Galaxy S20
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
General
Release Date
2020, February 11
2021, January 14
Announced
2020, February 11
2021, January 14
Description
Also available with 5G
Versions: SM-G991B, SM-G991B/DS (International); SM-G991U (USA); SM-G991U1 (USA unlocked); SM-G991W (Canada); SM-G991N (Korea); SM-G9910 (China)
Display
Size
6.2"
6.2"
Type
Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Resolution
1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~563 ppi density)
1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~421 ppi density)
PPI
1440
1080
Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
Peak Brightness
N/A
N/A
HDR Support
✓
✓
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Performance
Chipset
Exynos 990 (7 nm+) - GlobalQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) - USA
Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - USA/China
CPU
Octa-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA
Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - InternationalOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA/China
GPU
Mali-G77 MP11 - GlobalAdreno 650 - USA
Mali-G78 MP14 - InternationalAdreno 660 - USA/China
Memory
128GB 8GB RAM
128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Expandable Storage
✗
✗
Card Slot
microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
No
Camera
Main Camera
12 MP
12 MP
Main Camera Details
12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm (telephoto), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Front Camera
10 MP
10 MP
Front Camera Details
10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video Recording
8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie Video
4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
OIS
✓
✓
Night Mode
✗
✗
RAW Support
✗
✗
Battery
Capacity
4000 mAh
4000 mAh
Battery Details
Li-Ion 4000 mAh
Li-Ion 4000 mAh
Charging Details
25W wired, PD3.015W wireless (Qi)4.5W reverse wireless
25W wired, PD3.015W wireless (Qi)4.5W reverse wireless
Fast Charging
✗
✗
Wireless Charging
✓
✓
Build & Design
Dimensions
151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.72 x 0.31 in)
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm (5.97 x 2.80 x 0.31 in)
Weight
163 g
169 g
Materials
Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame
Water Resistance
N/A
N/A
Colors
Cosmic Grey, Cloud Blue, Cloud Pink, Cloud White, Aura Red
Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink
Foldable
✗
✗
Connectivity
SIM
Nano-SIM +eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Nano-SIM +eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Network
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Network Speed
HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps
HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
5G
✗
✓
4G
✓
✓
WiFi
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth
5.0, A2DP, LE
5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC
✓
✓
USB
USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
IR Blaster
✗
✗
Headphone Jack
✗
✗
Radio
✗
✗
Positioning
GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
Software
Operating System
Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
OS Version
Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Android 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Security
Fingerprint
✓
✓
Face Unlock
✗
✗
Sensors
Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Audio
Stereo Speakers
✓
✓
Loudspeaker
Yes, with stereo speakers
Yes, with stereo speakers
Audio Jack
No
No