Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 17 Pro

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

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Samsung · 2021

Galaxy S21 5G

81/ 100

Launch MSRP$799 USD

Apple · 2025

iPhone 17 Pro

81/ 100

Launch MSRP$1,099 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS iPhone 17 Pro BETTER THAN Galaxy S21 5G?

Tap an area on the radar to inspect category hardware facts

Galaxy S21 5G

iPhone 17 ProWinner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S21	iPhone 17	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	4,000 mAh	4,252 mAh	+4,252 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W	40W	40W Max
Main Camera Sensor	64 MP	48 MP	64 MP
Screen Display Size	6.2"	6.3"	6.3"
Chassis Weight	169g	206g	169g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S21 5G:

✓37g lighter chassis (169g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓$300 lower launch MSRP ($799 vs $1099)
✓64MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

Reasons to buy iPhone 17 Pro:

✓Larger 4,252 mAh battery capacity (+252 mAh more capacity)
✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.3" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	Galaxy S21 5G	iPhone 17 Pro
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Screen Size	6.2"	6.3"
Resolution & Density	2400x1080 (421 ppi)	2622x1206 (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	1,300 nits peak	3,000 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 17 Pro Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 11	iOS 26
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	8 GB LPDDR	12 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB	256GB / 512GB / 1024GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S21 5G Wins Camera
Primary Camera	64 MP, f/1.8, OIS	48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Fusion 48MP
Telephoto Zoom	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS	48 MP (8x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	48 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	10 MP, f/2.2	18 MP, f/1.9
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S21 5G Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm	150 x 71.9 x 8.75 mm
Weight	169 g	206 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Galaxy S21 5G Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	4,000 mAh	4,252 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W wired fast charging	40W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	25W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 6	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	5.0	6.0
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 3.2	USB-C 3.0
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$799	$1099

Editorial Lab Verdict

iPhone 17 Pro edges ahead with a BeastScore of 81.2/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, iPhone 17 Pro ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose Galaxy S21 5G:

Higher resolution main sensor: 64 MP vs max 48 MP · Lighter body: 169g (37g lighter in hand)

When to choose iPhone 17 Pro:

Higher overall BeastScore: 81.2 vs top rival 80.8 · Larger battery capacity: 4,252 mAh (+252 mAh more)

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 17 Pro

Which is better: Galaxy S21 5G or iPhone 17 Pro?

iPhone 17 Pro leads with an overall BeastScore of 81.2/100 compared to Galaxy S21 5G (80.8/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 81.2 vs top rival 80.8 and Larger battery capacity: 4,252 mAh (+252 mAh more).