Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S9: Comparison

Comparison of features, performance, design, battery, camera and connectivity between the following smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S9. The complete information of specifications to decide which to buy.

Compare
Samsung Galaxy S21 5GSamsung Galaxy S21 5GGlobal · 8GB · 128GB · SM-G991B
Samsung Galaxy S9Samsung Galaxy S9Global · 4GB · 64GB · G960F
Technical data sheets

Basics
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Global · 8GB · 128GB · SM-G991B
View datasheet
vs
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S9
Global · 4GB · 64GB · G960F
View datasheet
vs

Score
Ki Cost-effective
Score		 8.5 Ki Cost-effective
Score 		7.6 Ki Cost-effective
Score
Design and Screen score 7.7Design & Materials 6.7Design & Materials
Performance and Hardware score 7.4Performance & Hardware 6.2Performance & Hardware
Camera score 8.0Camera 6.5Camera
Connectivity score 8.5 Connectivity 7.4 Connectivity
Battery score 5.5 Battery 4.7 Battery

User reviews
User score
8.6
62 reviews
8.6
113 reviews

Technical specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S9

Specs stores to buy Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Global · 8GB · 128GB · SM-G991B 		Samsung Galaxy S9 prices Samsung Galaxy S9
Global · 4GB · 64GB · G960F
Inches 6.2" 5.8"
Resolution FHD+ WQHD+
Usable surface 88% useful 84% useful
Aspect Ratio 20:9 18:9
Dimensions 71.2 mm
151.7 mm
7.9 mm 		68.7 mm
147.7 mm
8.5 mm
Weight 169 g 163 g
Micro Exynos 2100
Octa-Core 		Exynos 9810
Octa-Core
RAM 8 GB RAM 4 GB RAM
Storage 128 GB 64 GB
AnTuTu 749.100
v10 		315.828
v8
Battery 4000 mAh 3000 mAh
Main Camera 1
12 Mpx · ƒ/1.8
IMX555
2 3 		1
12.2 Mpx · ƒ/1.5
S5K2L3
Selfie Camera SELF 10 Mpx · ƒ/2.2 SELF 8 Mpx · ƒ/1.7
Bands
OS Android 14 Upside-down cake Android 10 Q

Brand
Brand Samsung Samsung
Aliases SM-G991B --

Release Date
Release date January 2021,
3 years ago 		February 2018,
6 years ago
State On Sale On Sale
Market Global Global

Design & Materials

Structure

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
Samsung Galaxy S9
Size
71.2 mm • 151.7 mm • 7.9 mm
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 Print 3D Model
68.7 mm • 147.7 mm • 8.5 mm
See more details
 Print 3D Model
Weight 169 g 163 g
Usable surface 88 % 84 %
Materials Plastic, Aluminium Glass
Resistance IP68 IP68
Colors
White

Pink

Gray

Violet
Black

Gray

Cyan

Rose-gold

Screen
Diagonal 6.2" 5.8"
Type AMOLED • Dynamic Amoled 2X Super AMOLED
Aspect Ratio 20:9 18:9
Resolution FHD+
1080 x 2400 px 		WQHD+
1440 x 2960 px
Density 424 Pixels per inch 568 Pixels per inch

Others

Others
  • Hole-punch Notch
  • Refresh rate 120 Hz
  • Peak brightness - 1300 cd/m²
  • Always-On Display
  • HDR10+
  • Scratch resistant
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
  • Capacitive
  • Multi-touch
  • Frameless
  • Without Notch
  • Always-On Display
  • Color LED Notifications
  • Scratch resistant
  • Dual Edge display
  • Corning Gorilla Glass 5
  • Capacitive
  • Multi-touch
  • VR headset support
  • Frameless

User reviews

Is it a drop-resistant and scratch-resistant smartphone?
8.2
8.0
Do you think it's a nice phone?
9.4
9.3
Is it comfortable?
9.5
9.1
Can you see it well in the sunlight?
9.0
9.0
Number of reviews
62 reviews
113 reviews

Performance & Hardware

Processor
Model Samsung Exynos 2100 Samsung Exynos 9 9810
CPU 1x Cortex-X1 2,91 GHz + 3x Cortex-A78 2,81 GHz + 4x Cortex-A55 2,21 GHz. 4x Exynos M3 2.7 GHz + 4x Cortex-A55 1.9 GHz
Type Octa-Core Octa-Core
Manufacturing 5 nm 10 nm
64 Bits Yes Yes

Graphics
GPU ARM Mali-G78 MC14 ARM Mali-G72 MP18

RAM
RAM 8 GB 4 GB
Type RAM LPDDR5 LPDDR4X RAM

Antutu
Score
749.100
Antutu v10
Overall performance better than 85% of devices
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315.828
Antutu v8
Overall performance better than 66% of devices
See more details

Storage
Capacity 128 GB 64 GB
Type UFS Storage 3.1 UFS Storage 2.1
SD Slot No Yes ,
Independent SD slot

Security
Fingerprint Yes, in screen Yes, in the back

Sensors
Sensors
  • Fingerprint
  • Proximity
  • Light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Compass
  • Gyroscope
  • Barometer
  • Hall
  • Geomagnetic
  • Fingerprint
  • Proximity
  • Light sensor
  • Accelerometer
  • Compass
  • Gyroscope
  • Barometer
  • Hall
  • Heart Rate
  • Iris scanner

Audio

Audio
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Noise cancellation microphone
  • Stereo Speakers
  • Stereo Speakers

Others
Notifications LED -- Color LED Notifications
Cooling system No Yes
Gaming buttons No No

User reviews

Does it have good sound?
8.9
9.2
Does it work smoothly in everyday use?
9.1
9.0
What's your experience been with demanding games?
8.2
8.9
Number of reviews
62 reviews
113 reviews

Camera

Main
No. of cameras Triple rear camera Rear camera
1
Camera type

Standard

Standard
Resolution 12 Mpx 12.2 Mpx
Sensor Sony IMX555 Samsung S5K2L3
Type CMOS ISOCELL
Aperture ƒ/ 1.8 ƒ/ 1.5
ISO -- --
Pixel size 1.80 µm 1.40 µm
Pixel Binning -- --
Sensor size 1/1.76" 1/7.6"
2
Camera type

Wide Angle + Macro
--
Resolution
12.2 Mpx
Sensor
Sony IMX563
Type
CMOS
Aperture
ƒ/ 2.2
Pixel size
1.40 µm
Pixel Binning
--
Sensor size
1/2.55"
3
Camera type

Telephoto + portrait
--
Resolution
64 Mpx
Sensor
Samsung Bright S5KGW2
Type
ISOCELL
Aperture
ƒ/ 2.0
Pixel size
0.80 µm
Pixel Binning
--
Sensor size
1/1.72"

Features
Flash LED Dual LED
Optical Stabilisation Yes Yes
Slow Motion Video Yes,
960 fps 		Yes,
960 fps
Others
  • 4K Video
  • 8K Video
  • Digital zoom
  • Optical zoom
  • Triple camera
  • Digital image stabilization
  • Optical Stabilization (OIS)
  • Autofocus
  • Touch focus
  • Continuous autofocus
  • Manual focus
  • Phase detection autofocus (PDAF)
  • Continuous shooting
  • Geotagging
  • Panorama
  • HDR
  • Face detection
  • White balance settings
  • ISO settings
  • Exposure compensation
  • Scene mode
  • Self-timer
  • RAW
  • Night Mode
  • 4K Video
  • Digital zoom
  • Optical Stabilization (OIS)
  • Autofocus
  • Touch focus
  • Continuous shooting
  • Geotagging
  • Panorama
  • HDR
  • Face detection
  • White balance settings
  • ISO settings
  • Exposure compensation
  • Scene mode
  • Self-timer

Selfie
SELF
Camera type

Dedicated

Dedicated
Resolution 10 Mpx 8 Mpx
Sensor Sony IMX374 Samsung S5K3H1
Type CMOS ISOCELL
Aperture ƒ/ 2.2 ƒ/ 1.7
Pixel size 1.22 µm 1.22 µm
Pixel Binning -- --
Sensor size 1/3.2" 1/3.6"
Others
--
--

DxOMark Score
DxOMark Score
111
Mobile
118
Photo
90
Video
132
Selfie
125
Photo
145
Video
 --

User reviews

Quality of daytime photos
9.5
9.2
Quality of nighttime photos
8.6
8.4
Quality of selfies
8.9
8.3
Does it have a powerful flash?
9.0
8.5
Number of reviews
62 reviews
113 reviews

Connectivity

Network compatibility

5G
  • n1 (2100)
  • n3 (1800)
  • n5 (850)
  • n7 (2600)
  • n8 (900)
  • n20 (800)
  • n28b (700)
  • n28a (700)
  • n38 (2600)
  • n40 (2300)
  • n41 (2500)
  • n66 (1700)
  • n77 (3700)
  • n78 (3500)
 --
4G LTE
  • B1 (2100)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B3 (1800)
  • B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1)
  • B5 (850)
  • B7 (2600)
  • B8 (900)
  • B12 (700)
  • B13 (700)
  • B17 (700)
  • B18 (800)
  • B19 (800)
  • B20 (800)
  • B25 (1900+)
  • B26 (850)
  • B28b (700)
  • B28a (700)
  • B32 (1500)
  • B38 (TDD 2600)
  • B39 (TDD 1900)
  • B40 (TDD 2300)
  • B41 (TDD 2500)
  • B66 (1700/2100)
  • B1 (2100)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B3 (1800)
  • B4 (1700/2100 AWS 1)
  • B5 (850)
  • B7 (2600)
  • B8 (900)
  • B12 (700)
  • B13 (700)
  • B17 (700)
  • B18 (800)
  • B19 (800)
  • B20 (800)
  • B25 (1900+)
  • B26 (850)
  • B28b (700)
  • B28a (700)
  • B32 (1500)
  • B38 (TDD 2600)
  • B39 (TDD 1900)
  • B40 (TDD 2300)
  • B41 (TDD 2500)
  • B42 (TDD 3500)
  • B66 (1700/2100)
3G
  • B1 (2100)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B4 (1700/2100 AWS A-F)
  • B5 (850)
  • B8 (900)
  • B1 (2100)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B4 (1700/2100 AWS A-F)
  • B5 (850)
  • B8 (900)
  • B34 (TD 2000)
  • B39 (TD 1900+)
2G
  • B2 (1900)
  • B3 (1800)
  • B5 (850)
  • B8 (900)
  • B2 (1900)
  • B3 (1800)
  • B5 (850)
  • B8 (900)

SIM card
Dual SIM Dual Sim Dual Standby Single Sim
Type
  • Nano SIM
  • Nano SIM
  • Nano SIM

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
  • 802.11a
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
  • 802.11n 5GHz
  • 802.11ac
  • WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
  • 802.11a
  • 802.11b
  • 802.11g
  • 802.11n
  • 802.11n 5GHz
  • 802.11ac
Others
  • Dual band
  • Wi-Fi Hotspot
  • Wi-Fi Direct
  • Wi-Fi Display
  • Dual band
  • Wi-Fi Hotspot
  • Wi-Fi Direct
  • Wi-Fi MiMO

Bluetooth
Version Bluetooth 5.0 LE Low energy consumption Bluetooth 5.0 LE Low energy consumption
Others
  • A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
  • AVRCP (Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile)
  • DIP (Device ID Profile)
  • HFP (Hands-Free Profile)
  • HID (Human Interface Profile)
  • HSP (Headset Profile)
  • LE (Low Energy)
  • MAP (Message Access Profile)
  • PAN (Personal Area Networking Profile)
  • OPP (Object Push Profile)
  • PBAP/PAB (Phone Book Access Profile)
  • ANT+
  • APT-x
  • SBC
  • A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
  • AVRCP (Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile)
  • DIP (Device ID Profile)
  • HFP (Hands-Free Profile)
  • HID (Human Interface Profile)
  • HSP (Headset Profile)
  • LE (Low Energy)
  • MAP (Message Access Profile)
  • PAN (Personal Area Networking Profile)
  • OPP (Object Push Profile)
  • PBAP/PAB (Phone Book Access Profile)

Navigation
Navigation
  • GPS
  • A-GPS
  • GLONASS
  • Beidou
  • Galileo
  • GPS (L1+L5)
  • Galileo (E1+E5a)
  • GPS
  • A-GPS
  • GLONASS
  • Galileo

USB
USB
  • Charging
  • Mass Storage
  • USB On-The-Go (OTG)
  • USB Type C
  • USB Host 3.1
  • Charging
  • Mass Storage
  • USB On-The-Go (OTG)
  • USB Type C
  • USB Host 3.1

SAR
European measurement

The European Union sets a limit of 2 W/kg averaged over 10 grams of tissue.

 0.460 W/Kg on head
1.510 W/Kg on body 		0.362 W/Kg on head
1.180 W/Kg on body
American measurement

The FCC limit is 1.6 W/kg measured in a volume of 1 gram of tissue

 -- 0.260 W/Kg on head
1.040 W/Kg on body

Others
Others
  • NFC
  • Computer sync
  • OTA sync
  • Tethering.
  • VoLTE
  • ANT+
  • NFC
  • Audio Jack
  • Computer sync
  • OTA sync
  • Tethering.
  • ANT+

User reviews

Does it have good coverage for calls?
8.9
9.1
Quality of the GPS
9.1
9.1
And the WiFi?
9.1
9.1
Number of reviews
62 reviews
113 reviews

Battery

Battery
Capacity
4000 mAh
See more details
3000 mAh
See more details
Type Li-Polymer Li-Ion
Fast charge Yes,
25.0W 		Yes
Others
  • Wireless charging
  • Reverse charging
  • Non-removable
  • Wireless charging
  • Non-removable

User reviews

How long does the battery last?
  • 8%
    Less than half day
  • 40%
    Less than a day
  • 37%
    One day
  • 11%
    More than one day
  • 3%
    Two days or more
  • 21%
    Less than half day
  • 43%
    Less than a day
  • 29%
    One day
  • 6%
    More than one day
  • 1%
    Two days or more
Number of reviews
62 reviews
113 reviews

Software

Software
Operating System
  • Android 14
    Android 14 Upside-down cake, 7 months ago
  • Android 10
    Android 10 Q, 4 years ago
Google Services (official) Yes Yes

User reviews

Did it come with preinstalled applications?
  • 2%
    It comes with a clean operating system
  • 87%
    It has preinstalled apps but they don't bother me
  • 12%
    It has preinstalled apps that I can't uninstall
  • 6%
    It comes with a clean operating system
  • 72%
    It has preinstalled apps but they don't bother me
  • 23%
    It has preinstalled apps that I can't uninstall
Do you regularly receive updates?
  • 0%
    Never
  • 2%
    Once a year
  • 33%
    Every six months
  • 66%
    Every two months or less
  • 6%
    Never
  • 9%
    Once a year
  • 44%
    Every six months
  • 42%
    Every two months or less
Number of reviews
62 reviews
113 reviews
Prices
From $ 244 --
From $ 146 --

Others

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