Galaxy S21+ 5G Vs iPhone 14

Galaxy S21+ 5G
Galaxy S21+ 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:€185.00

Versus €1,059.00 new

See options
iPhone 14
iPhone 14
Starting at

Refurbished price:€287.25

Versus €759.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, released in January 2021, and the iPhone 14, launched in September 2022, represent distinct approaches to the premium smartphone experience. While the Galaxy S21 Plus operates on the Android ecosystem, the iPhone 14 runs on iOS, offering different user interfaces and app experiences. Key differentiators between these two devices include their display technologies, camera systems, and overall software longevity.

Scores

Durability

The age difference between these two models significantly impacts their long-term utility and software support cycles.

  • Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G was released in January 2021, making it an older device compared to the iPhone 14, which launched in September 2022.
  • Software Longevity: The iPhone 14, being a newer release, is expected to receive official software updates and security patches for several years longer than the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G launched with Android 11 and is upgradable to Android 14, with Samsung promising four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security updates for the S21 series. The iPhone 14 shipped with iOS 16 and supports later versions like iOS 17 and iOS 26.3.1.
  • Physical Resilience: Both devices feature robust build quality with IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 14 incorporates Ceramic Shield protection on its front, while the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

Year of Release

2021

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones deliver responsive performance for everyday use, though their underlying architectures differ.

  • Daily Responsiveness: The iPhone 14 handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a fluid user experience. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G also manages multitasking with ease, allowing users to switch between various applications without significant slowdowns.
  • Processing Capabilities: The iPhone 14 is equipped with a powerful current-generation processor, ensuring efficient handling of graphics-intensive tasks and complex computations. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a high-performance processor from its release era, capable of running modern applications and games effectively.
  • Storage and Memory: The iPhone 14 is available with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options and includes 6GB of RAM. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G offers 128GB or 256GB of internal storage and comes with 8GB of RAM.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on these devices presents notable differences in display technology and size.

  • Display Technology: The iPhone 14 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, known for its deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G boasts a larger 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, also offering rich colors and high contrast.
  • Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G's display offers a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 14 features a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
  • Resolution and Brightness: The iPhone 14 has a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels, while the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G offers a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. Both displays offer high brightness levels, with the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G reaching up to 1300 nits peak brightness.

Resolution

1080 x 2400

1170 x 2532

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

The camera systems on both devices are designed to capture high-quality images and videos, each with distinct strengths.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a versatile triple-camera array, including a 12MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x hybrid optical zoom. The iPhone 14 is equipped with an advanced dual-camera system, featuring a 12MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G provides improved zoom capabilities due to its dedicated telephoto lens. The iPhone 14 offers strong low-light performance and consistent image processing, benefiting from its Photonic Engine.
  • Video Recording: Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video. The iPhone 14 supports 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording and features Cinematic mode for depth-of-field effects. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G can record 8K video at 24fps.
  • Front Camera: The iPhone 14 has a 12MP front camera with autofocus. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a 10MP front-facing camera.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity: Both the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G and the iPhone 14 support 5G networks, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0 (S21 Plus 5G) or 5.3 (iPhone 14). The iPhone 14 also includes an Ultra Wideband chip for spatial awareness.
  • Ports and Biometrics: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G utilizes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer and features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor. The iPhone 14 uses a Lightning port and relies on Face ID for secure authentication.
  • Physical Characteristics: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G measures 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm and weighs 202 grams. The iPhone 14 is smaller and lighter, weighing 172 grams.
  • Additional Features: The iPhone 14 includes features like Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection.

Weight

200 g

172 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

User feedback often highlights the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G's expansive and fluid 120Hz display as a significant advantage for media consumption and general navigation. Its versatile camera system, particularly the telephoto lens, is frequently praised for offering more photographic flexibility. Some users appreciate the Android operating system's customization options and open ecosystem. Criticisms sometimes point to the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G's software update longevity compared to newer devices.

Conversely, the iPhone 14 receives consistent praise for its robust performance, reliable camera, and the seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. Users often value its extended software support and strong privacy features. Common observations include its standard 60Hz display refresh rate, which some users find less fluid than higher refresh rate screens on other devices.

Users prioritizing a larger, high refresh rate display and the flexibility of the Android operating system may find the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G well-suited to their needs. Those who value long-term software support, a highly integrated ecosystem, and consistent performance for everyday tasks and photography may lean toward the iPhone 14. Both devices offer a quality experience, and choosing a quality-assured refurbished option for either model provides an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new electronics, extending the lifecycle of existing hardware.

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