Galaxy S21 5G vs Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026)

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

Motorola

Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026)

82/ 100

Launch MSRPPricing on request

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026) BETTER THAN Galaxy S21 5G?

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Galaxy S21 5G

Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026)Winner 🏆

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S21	Motorola Moto	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	4,000 mAh	5,200 mAh	+5,200 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W	Standard	25W
Main Camera Sensor	64 MP	50 MP	64 MP
Screen Display Size	6.2"	6.7"	6.7"
Chassis Weight	169g	N/A	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:

✓830g lighter chassis (169g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓$9200 lower launch MSRP ($799 vs $9999)
✓64MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

Reasons to buy Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026):

✓Larger 5,200 mAh battery capacity (+1,200 mAh more capacity)
✓50MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.7" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	Galaxy S21 5G	Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026)
1. Display & Screen🏆 Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026) Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	AMOLED / OLED display
Screen Size	6.2"	6.7"
Resolution & Density	2400x1080 (421 ppi)	N/A
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	1,300 nits peak	N/A
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 Galaxy S21 5G Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	Dimensity 6300
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 11	Android 15
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	8 GB LPDDR	4 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	128GB / 256GB	64 GB
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	50 MP, 50MP Main + Depth Sensor
Telephoto Zoom	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS	None (Digital zoom only)
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	N/A
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	16 MP
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S21 5G Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm	N/A
Weight	169 g	N/A
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	Not certified
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026) Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	4,000 mAh	5,200 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	25W wired fast charging	N/A
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	Not supported
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 / 6E tri-band
Bluetooth	5.0	Bluetooth 5.3+
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 3.2	USB Type-C
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes
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	Price on request

Editorial Lab Verdict

Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026) edges ahead with a BeastScore of 82.0/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026) 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:

Significantly faster wired charging: 25W vs max 0W · Higher resolution main sensor: 64 MP vs max 50 MP

When to choose Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026):

Higher overall BeastScore: 82.0 vs top rival 80.8 · Larger battery capacity: 5,200 mAh (+1,200 mAh more)

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S21 5G vs Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026)

Which is better: Galaxy S21 5G or Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026)?

Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026) leads with an overall BeastScore of 82.0/100 compared to Galaxy S21 5G (80.8/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 82.0 vs top rival 80.8 and Larger battery capacity: 5,200 mAh (+1,200 mAh more).

What are the primary battery and display differences between Galaxy S21 5G and Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026)?

Galaxy S21 5G is equipped with a 6.2-inch display and 4000 mAh battery, while Motorola Moto G Play 5G (2026) features a 6.7-inch display and 5200 mAh battery.

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