Galaxy A50 Vs Galaxy S21+ 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A50, released in February 2019, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, launched in January 2021, are Android smartphones from different generations of Samsung's lineup. While both devices offer a comprehensive smartphone experience, the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G introduces significant advancements in performance, camera capabilities, and overall build quality compared to the A50. Both run on the Android operating system, though they differ in their update lifecycles and software support.

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, their release dates and subsequent software support are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy A50 was released in February 2019, making it an older device compared to the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, which launched in January 2021. This age difference directly impacts their remaining software support.
• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy A50 launched with Android 9 and received its final major operating system update to Android 11 in March 2021, with security updates ceasing in February 2023. In contrast, the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G launched with Android 11 and received updates up to Android 14, with software support ceasing in February 2026.
• Practical Lifespan: Users seeking the longest possible software longevity will find the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G offers a more extended period of official updates, which can be important for security and compatibility with new applications. The Galaxy A50 has already reached its end-of-life for major OS updates, meaning it will no longer receive new Android versions. The Galaxy A50 has a repairability score of 7.0/10, with accessible battery and screen components, though adhesive is used for the back cover.

The performance of these two devices reflects their generational gap, impacting how smoothly they handle various tasks.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy A50 is suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light applications. However, users engaging in more demanding activities or extensive multitasking may experience slower responsiveness. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, with its more advanced internal components, handles demanding apps, multitasking, and graphics-intensive games with greater fluidity and speed.
• RAM and Storage: The Galaxy A50 typically comes with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, with the option to expand storage via a microSD card. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G offers 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, but it does not include a microSD card slot for expansion. This means the S21 Plus 5G offers more base memory for smoother multitasking but less flexibility for storage expansion.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A50 features a 4000 mAh battery, with users often reporting it lasts a full day with moderate use. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G has a larger 4800 mAh battery, generally providing good endurance for a full day of varied use, and supports faster wired and wireless charging.

Both smartphones feature vibrant displays, but there are notable differences in their technology and capabilities that affect the viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy A50 features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080x2340 pixels, offering clear visuals and deep blacks. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G has a slightly larger 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080x2400 pixels, also providing vibrant colors and excellent contrast, along with enhanced brightness.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Galaxy A50 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is typical for its generation. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, providing a noticeably smoother scrolling experience and more fluid animations, which can be particularly beneficial for gaming and general navigation.
• Screen Protection: The Galaxy A50 uses Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features more advanced Gorilla Glass Victus, offering increased durability against drops and scratches.

The camera systems on the Galaxy A50 and Galaxy S21 Plus 5G reflect different approaches to mobile photography, with the S21 Plus 5G offering more advanced features.

• Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy A50 is equipped with a triple rear camera setup, including a 25MP wide lens, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP depth sensor. Its front camera is 25MP. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G also features a triple rear camera system, but with a 12MP wide lens (with optical image stabilization), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens offering 3x hybrid optical zoom (with optical image stabilization). It has a 10MP front camera.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy A50 performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing decent detail and color, but its low-light performance is less capable, often showing noise and reduced clarity. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G provides more consistent and higher-quality images across various lighting conditions, with improved low-light capabilities and more versatile zoom options.
• Video Recording: The Galaxy A50 supports 1080p video recording. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G offers advanced video recording features, including up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second, providing significantly more detail and flexibility for video content creation.