Samsung s9 vs s21 Comparisons [Which is the Best?]

Even if your Galaxy S9 is on its final legs, there is a silver lining in that this year’s Galaxy S21 series represents some of the best value available in the flagship sector right now.

Not to mention that Samsung has completed a full circle in terms of high-end smartphone pricing since the last time you spent a lot of money on a new handset.

Is the Galaxy S21, on the other hand, the best upgrade option for Galaxy S9 owners?

Even if your Galaxy S9 is still running smoothly, there are a number of compelling reasons to consider upgrading to the new Galaxy S21, as well as some compelling reasons to refrain from doing so.

Read on to find out why.

See Also:

• When Did the Samsung S8 Come Out?
• Samsung a11 vs a20: Samsung Galaxy A Series Review
• Best Samsung Remote App [Top 10]
• Best Samsung Soundbar For Samsung Smart TV

Samsung Galaxy S21 versus Samsung Galaxy S9: Which Is Better?

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus G965 GSM Unlocked Black 64GB

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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G SM-G998B/DS 256GB 12GB RAM Factory Unlocked (GSM Only | No CDMA – not Compatible with Verizon/Sprint) International Version – Phantom

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The Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus both android device, which was released in 2018, don’t appear to be as old as they appear.

While they’ve most certainly received their last Android 10 update, this also includes Samsung’s One UI 2.1 version, which doesn’t feel too out of date at this point in time.

Of course, the Galaxy S21 range is powered by Android 11 with One UI 3.1, which we believe is a good combination from a security perspective.

While being only one major update behind isn’t generally a compelling reason to upgrade promptly, it is in some cases.

However, the Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100 in the Galaxy S21 are slightly faster than the Snapdragon 845 and Exynos 9810 in the Galaxy S9 in everyday use, although the difference is not immediately noticeable.

It will be gamers, more than anybody else, who will notice the most substantial performance improvement from Samsung’s current phones – especially when using the newer 120Hz display, as opposed to the S9’s 60Hz display.

With 4K 60fps video recording, IP68 certifications, strong QHD+ AMOLED panels, headphone jacks, Dex compatibility, and wireless charging, the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus remain among the best smartphones available.

That is an extremely compelling set of characteristics.

However, if you intend to switch to a 5G tariff, the Galaxy S21 is a device that is absolutely worth considering.

If you require larger batteries for longer screen-on times, are dissatisfied with the location of the rear fingerprint scanner, or wish to upgrade to more advanced in-display technology, this is an excellent option.

Finally, photography enthusiasts would surely benefit greatly from upgrading to a Galaxy S21 handset of any variety.

With a triple camera arrangement that includes a main lens, wide lens, and telephoto lens, even the entry-level Galaxy S21 model offers greater flexibility than either the single camera on the Galaxy S9 or the twin camera setup on the Galaxy S9 Plus.

That’s not even taking into consideration improved sensors and lenses that improve the appearance of low-light photography, as well as upgraded software capabilities like Director’s Mode, which allows you to monitor three cameras at the same time.

In many ways, the Galaxy S9 is still competitive with its predecessors.

Although the Galaxy S21 series is more expensive, there are compelling reasons to upgrade.

Most notably for power users and mobile photographers, who will still get benefits from even the $799 entry-level Samsung Galaxy S21.

Comparison Between Samsung s9 vs s21

Some of the main reasons to go from the Galaxy S9 to the Galaxy S21

In almost every aspect, there have been significant hardware changes.

When you consider that $799 gets you three generations of flagship-grade hardware improvements, it’s a really good deal.

Also worth noting is how outstanding the Exynos 2100 is when compared to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888, which may or may not be relevant depending on where you plan to shop for your handset in the world.

But it’s also worth noting that Samsung’s Exynos 9810 was only the middle child of their unsuccessful marriage with proprietary core architecture.

In the camera industry, this trend is even more prevalent than in other industries.

To the point where any form of comparison will appear unfair in this context.

In terms of wide-angle photos, the Galaxy S9 is Samsung’s last single-camera flagship, and it can only aspire to stay up with the Galaxy S21’s performance.

Even if Samsung had failed to develop its imaging technology during the previous three years, the combination of telephoto and ultra-wide cameras makes the Galaxy S21 at least three times more useful, according to some estimates.

One thing we have to admit is that the Galaxy S9’s iris scanner, which is the penultimate iris scanner from Samsung and is used to unlock the device, is looking like a really excellent unlock function lately.

At least as long as we’re still actively attempting to avoid the complete SARS genome and other such maladies,

The physical footprint is the same, but the ergonomics are better.

The physical footprint of the 6.2-inch Galaxy S21 is quite similar to that of the 5.8-inch Galaxy S9.

This is in keeping with design patterns established by Samsung themselves, and which have continued to this day.

They are 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm and 147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm in size, and they are made of aluminum.

In addition, as Galaxy S9 customers would undoubtedly attest, there aren’t that many high-end smartphones that are still quite compact that are being released these days, especially in this price range.

At the same time, the Galaxy S21 is slightly heavier than the Galaxy S9, weighing 169g versus 163g for the latter.

However, the difference should be minor — some people like bulkier cellphones, thus the difference should be negligible.

Particularly when the additional weight is used to increase the battery capacity of the Galaxy S9 by another 1,000mAh over its predecessor (not that battery life is as remarkable as on the Galaxy S21 Ultra).

However, that element aside, the absence of a curved display that bends around the device’s long sides will almost certainly improve the overall user experience.

Furthermore, it is now effectively Samsung’s definitive answer for ghost touches, as previously stated.

Additionally, it provides a dynamic refresh rate of 120 Hz for a seamless user experience.

Speaking of seamless experiences, the combination of 5G and Wi-Fi 6 support is a connectivity combination that the Galaxy S9 will be unable to match in terms of performance.

When it comes to the maximum charging speeds of the two devices, the same can be said about their respective capabilities.

The Galaxy S9 hails from a bygone era that has long outlived its welcome — the 15W era of computing.

The Galaxy S21, on the other hand, is compatible with 25W chargers.

But Mother Nature wants to express her gratitude for your contribution by providing you with these items, which are not free.

Lastly, while we’re talking about wireless charging, the Galaxy S21 is capable of reverse wireless charging in addition to supporting Qi-certified wireless charging.

Some compelling arguments for not upgrading from the Galaxy S9 to the Galaxy S21

The Galaxy S9 does a better job than expected in some areas, and as a result, it does not come out on top in this comparison versus a knockout candidate.

A significant part of this is due to the resolution decrease that the Galaxy S21 has undergone, with Samsung now equipping it with an FHD+ panel rather than a QHD+ panel.

Granted, the majority of the compromise was made in order to ensure that a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate was included in the package.

So Samsung was definitely right in proceeding with this trade-off, whereas I have yet to provide a justification for the headline above.

The LED notification light will be much missed.

If you don’t want to use the real, discrete one, you may use the Always On Display as an alternative, which will consume the 4,000 mAh battery much more quickly than normal.

And, at the very least, the Galaxy S9 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as a microSD card slot, both of which are absent from the Galaxy S21 line of smartphones.

MST is also absent from a significant number of markets, which will only make life more difficult for Samsung Pay users.

There’s also no charger included in the box, and you’ll have to forego the complimentary pair of headphones that were previously sent.

The same can be said for the heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) sensors

The truth is that it all comes down to perspective and priorities, and it just so happens that owners of the normal Galaxy S9 are likely to be far more enticed by the Galaxy S21 than those who purchased the Galaxy S9+.

This is especially true when comparing the Galaxy S21+ to other direct upgrade options.

For those who’ve been using the Galaxy S9 for the past three years, the latest generation of Samsung’s flagship smartphones will almost definitely prove to be well worth the investment.

At the very least, at the lowest end of the price spectrum.

Simply put, the Galaxy S21 outperforms the Galaxy S9 in practically every aspect of the smartphone experience, including design and performance.

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 instead of the Galaxy S10?

While the latest Samsung Galaxy S series has never been more reasonable, that doesn’t always imply you should take advantage of the current low prices immediately.

In the case of upgrading from a 2017 flagship model, the decision is simple.

However, the picture is less obvious in the case of upgrading from some of Samsung’s not-so-ancient flagships.

When you can get past the slightly outdated software on the Samsung Galaxy S9 from 2018, even the most recent model is still a usable phone.

The Galaxy S21 does, in fact, provide speedier performance, faster charging, and a snazzy new look, but even that may not be enough to entice Galaxy S10 consumers who are already satisfied with their purchase.

But for power users, the addition of S Pen compatibility and enhanced camera capabilities in the Galaxy S21 Ultra are possibly even more compelling reasons to purchase the device.

Is it in your plans to move from an older Samsung Galaxy smartphone to one of the new Galaxy S21 smartphones?

Please share your thoughts in the comments section!

Our Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S series has never been more reasonable.

However, before you take advantage of these low prices on a new phone, it’s important to consider what your needs are and how often you plan to upgrade in the future.

If you’re upgrading from an older flagship model such as the Galaxy Note 8 or even last year’s Galaxy S9+, this is likely, not worth it for most people.

But if you’ve got one of 2017’s models like the Galaxy J7 Pro or A6 Plus (or any other recent device), then now may be a good time to make that next purchase!

Frequently Ask Questions

What distinguishes Samsung from its competition is its innovation?

The fact that Samsung has maintained its dominant position in the smartphone and consumer electronics industries despite intense competition is a testament to the company’s commitment to technological innovation.

Advanced technology, supply chain management, marketing, and brand image are just a few of the company’s many advantages.

Why should I select Samsung over the competition?

It is considered to be one of the top corporations in the world.

They are particularly well-known for their incredible Android smartphones.

The key advantages of Samsung are their stable software, their durability, their good camera, their quality, and their dependability.

What distinguishes Samsung from the competition?

Samsung’s innovation success – evidenced by at least two significant product announcements this month – is due to its heavy investment in its personnel, its relentless pursuit of extraordinary talent wherever it can be found, and its early forays into Russia.

It also aims its ideas at specific markets.