Samsung A23 Vs S21 Is The Newer Model Really Worth The Upgrade

When Samsung releases new mid-range phones like the Galaxy A23, consumers often wonder: should they stick with their older flagship, like the S21, or switch to something newer but less powerful? On paper, the A23 is “newer,” but that doesn’t automatically mean it’s better. The real question isn’t just about release dates—it’s about value, longevity, and how each phone performs in daily use.

The Galaxy S21 launched in early 2021 as a premium flagship, packing top-tier specs for its time. The Galaxy A23, released in 2022, sits firmly in the budget segment. While both are part of Samsung’s ecosystem, they serve very different audiences. Understanding where each excels—and where compromises exist—can save you from making an expensive upgrade mistake.

Design and Build Quality

The first noticeable difference between the two phones lies in their build. The Galaxy S21 features a sleek, minimalist design with a metal frame and matte plastic back (though it feels premium). It has a compact form factor at 6.2 inches and weighs just 169g, making it one of the more comfortable flagships to hold.

In contrast, the A23 uses a full polycarbonate (plastic) body, which makes it lighter but less refined. At 6.6 inches and 205g, it’s larger and heavier, which may appeal to users who prefer bigger screens but can feel cumbersome over time. The S21 also has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance—a feature completely absent on the A23.

Tip: If you frequently use your phone outdoors or near water, IP68 protection on the S21 offers peace of mind the A27 lacks.

Display and Screen Experience

Both phones have AMOLED displays, a major win for color accuracy and deep blacks. However, the differences in resolution and refresh rate matter significantly.

The S21 boasts a 1080 x 2400 Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. This means smoother scrolling, faster response times, and automatic adjustment based on content—saving battery when high refresh isn’t needed.

The A23, while still using AMOLED tech, runs at a fixed 90Hz refresh rate and a slightly lower brightness level. It’s adequate for casual browsing and videos, but the step down from 120Hz adaptive to 90Hz fixed is noticeable during gaming or fast app navigation.

“High refresh rates aren’t just a luxury—they improve usability by reducing motion blur and touch latency.” — David Kim, Mobile UX Analyst

Performance and Hardware Comparison

This is where the gap widens dramatically. The Galaxy S21 is powered by either the Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888 (depending on region), both of which were flagship-grade chipsets in 2021. Paired with 8GB of RAM, the S21 handles multitasking, high-end games, and photo editing with ease—even today.

The A23 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, a budget-oriented chip built on a 6nm process. While efficient, it struggles with demanding apps and modern mobile games. With only 4GB or 6GB of RAM (depending on variant), background app retention suffers, leading to frequent reloads.

If you plan to keep your phone for three years or more, the S21’s processor will age far more gracefully than the A23’s. Software updates also reflect this: the S21 received four major Android upgrades and five years of security patches, whereas the A23 is limited to two OS updates and four years of security fixes.

Key Performance Differences

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S21	Samsung Galaxy A23
Processor	Exynos 2100 / Snapdragon 888	Snapdragon 680
RAM	8GB	4GB / 6GB
Storage	128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)	64GB / 128GB (eMMC 5.1)
OS Update Support	Up to Android 15 + 5 years security	Up to Android 14 + 4 years security
Benchmark Score (Antutu v9)	~800,000	~280,000

Camera Capabilities: More Than Megapixels

The A23 touts a 50MP main sensor, which sounds impressive next to the S21’s 12MP shooter. But megapixels don’t tell the whole story. Sensor size, pixel binning, software processing, and low-light performance are far more important.

The S21 uses a larger 1/1.76-inch sensor with Dual Pixel AF and advanced HDR processing. Its photos consistently outperform the A23 in dynamic range and detail, especially in dim lighting. Video recording is another stronghold—the S21 supports 8K at 24fps and 4K at 60fps with excellent stabilization.

The A23’s 50MP sensor defaults to 12.5MP via pixel binning, but its smaller physical size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) result in softer images and shaky video. The ultra-wide and macro cameras on both devices are similarly mediocre, but the S21’s depth sensor aids portrait mode accuracy.

Tip: For photography enthusiasts, hardware quality and software tuning outweigh raw megapixel counts every time.

Real-World Example: Daily Use Scenario

Consider Maria, a college student who uses her phone for note-taking, social media, streaming lectures, and occasional photography. She upgraded from an aging S10 to the A23, expecting better battery life and a newer experience. While she appreciated the longer battery, she quickly noticed lags when switching between Zoom, Google Docs, and Instagram. Photos from campus events looked grainy in evening light, and the screen felt less responsive compared to her old device.

She later learned her friend kept a used Galaxy S21 (bought refurbished for $300) and had no issues with multitasking, took sharper photos, and enjoyed smoother animations. Maria realized that \"newer\" didn’t mean \"better\"—especially when stepping down from a flagship to a budget line.

Battery Life and Charging Speed

Here, the A23 shines. It packs a 5000mAh battery—larger than the S21’s 4000mAh unit. In real-world usage, the A23 lasts well into a second day with moderate use, thanks to its energy-efficient chipset and large capacity.

The S21, while powerful, drains faster under load. Heavy gaming or 5G use can deplete it within a single day. However, it supports faster charging at up to 25W (though no charger included), reaching 50% in about 30 minutes. The A23 only supports 25W charging on paper, but most models ship with 15W support, taking closer to 90 minutes for a full charge.

• A23 Battery Advantage: Longer lifespan per charge, ideal for travelers or those without easy access to outlets.
• S21 Trade-off: Shorter endurance, but superior performance efficiency under heavy tasks.

Should You Upgrade? A Practical Checklist

Deciding whether to move from the S21 to the A23—or choose the A23 over holding onto an older flagship—depends on your priorities. Use this checklist to evaluate your needs:

1. ✅ Do you prioritize long battery life over speed?
2. ✅ Are you on a tight budget and need a functional phone under $250?
3. ✅ Do you rarely play games or use demanding apps?
4. ❌ Do you rely on smooth multitasking or future-proofing?
5. ❌ Do you take a lot of photos in low light?
6. ❌ Do you want water resistance or premium materials?

If most of your answers are “yes” to the first three and “no” to the last three, the A23 could be a reasonable choice. Otherwise, sticking with the S21—or opting for a newer mid-to-high tier model like the S22 FE or A54—is wiser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Galaxy A23 run modern games smoothly?

Light games like Candy Crush or Among Us run fine, but titles like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile will struggle even at low settings due to the Snapdragon 680’s limitations.

Is the S21 still supported with updates?

Yes. The S21 launched with Android 11 and is eligible for updates up to Android 15, along with monthly security patches through 2026 in most regions.

Does the A23 support expandable storage?

Yes. The A23 includes a microSD card slot, supporting up to 1TB—unlike the S21, which does not have expandable storage.

Final Verdict: Newer Isn’t Always Better

The Galaxy A23 is a capable entry-level phone with strong battery life and a decent display. But calling it an “upgrade” over the S21 is misleading. The S21 remains superior in nearly every meaningful category: performance, camera, build quality, software support, and user experience.

If you already own an S21, there’s little reason to downgrade. And if you’re considering buying an A23 because it’s “newer,” think critically about what you actually need. For many users, a lightly used S21 (available at steep discounts now) offers far better value than a brand-new A23.

Technology evolves fast, but smart decisions come from understanding trade-offs—not just release dates.

💬 Have you made the switch from a flagship to a budget phone—or stayed put? Share your experience below and help others make informed choices!