Should You Upgrade from the Galaxy S21 5G to the Galaxy S23?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the Galaxy S21 5G to the Galaxy S23, 2 years apart.
Probably not — keep your Galaxy S21 5G
The Galaxy S23 is 2 years newer than the Galaxy S21 5G, and the BeastScore drops from 80.8 to 78.8. The biggest improvements: 450 nits brighter peak display. Trade-offs to know: battery rated 12 points lower, 100 mah smaller battery.
What you gain with the Galaxy S23
- +450 nits brighter peak display
What you give up
- −Battery rated 12 points lower
- −100 mAh smaller battery
- −0.1" smaller screen
- −Lower-resolution main camera (−14 MP)
| Spec | Galaxy S21 5G | Galaxy S23 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 80.8 | 78.8 | −2.0 |
| Performance score | 80 | 80 | No real change |
| Camera score | 91 | 91 | No real change |
| Battery score | 70 | 58 | −12 (17%) |
| Display score | 86 | 88 | No real change |
| Battery capacity | 4,000 mAh | 3,900 mAh | −100 mAh (3%) |
| Wired charging | 25W | 25W | No real change |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W | No real change |
| Screen size | 6.2" | 6.1" | −0.1" |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 1,300 nits | 1,750 nits | +450 nits (35%) |
| Main camera | 64 MP | 50 MP | −14 MP (22%) |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3x | No real change |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | No real change |
| Weight | 169 g | 168 g | No real change |
| Launch price | $799 | $799 | No real change |
Upgrade if…
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
Galaxy S21 5G vs Galaxy S23: Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the Galaxy S21 5G to the Galaxy S23?
Probably not — keep your Galaxy S21 5G. The Galaxy S23 is 2 years newer than the Galaxy S21 5G, and the BeastScore drops from 80.8 to 78.8. The biggest improvements: 450 nits brighter peak display. Trade-offs to know: battery rated 12 points lower, 100 mah smaller battery.
What is the biggest difference between the Galaxy S21 5G and Galaxy S23?
450 nits brighter peak display: 1,300 nits on the Galaxy S21 5G vs 1,750 nits on the Galaxy S23.
Does the Galaxy S23 have a bigger battery than the Galaxy S21 5G?
The Galaxy S23 has a 3,900 mAh battery versus 4,000 mAh on the Galaxy S21 5G (−100 mAh (3%)).
Who should upgrade to the Galaxy S23?
Upgrade if: You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen.