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Updated February 23, 2024·
If you're looking for a more affordable option, the Samsung Galaxy A15 is the way to go, but bear in mind its camera performance is considered poor and it has a plastic back. Should you prefer a better camera, glass back, and higher screen refresh rate, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is superior, though it comes with a heftier price tag. The S21+ also supports HDR10+ for video, offers more RAM which can be beneficial for multitasking and performance, and it has wireless charging features, unlike the A15. The decision mainly hinges on your budget and the importance of camera quality and additional features to you. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A15
- The Samsung Galaxy A15 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21+.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21+
- Good for taking photos
- Fair for recording videos
- Very good battery life
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy A15 has poor overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has superior camera performance, with a very good selfie score, alongside strong software experience, dynamic range, low light capabilities, and camera versatility, whereas the Samsung Galaxy A15 has poorer performance across these factors, including a poor selfie score. Additionally, the S21+ offers the best video software experience and good microphone quality, further distinguishing its capabilities in capturing both images and videos compared to the A15, which is rated poorly in these areas as well.
Photo Quality
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy A15 takes poor photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy A15 takes poor photos due to its overall lower performance in software experience, dynamic range, low light photography, and versatility, while its selfie quality is particularly poor. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ delivers good photographs with a strong software experience, decent dynamic range, competent low light capabilities, a versatile camera setup, and especially good selfie quality.
Video Quality
6.6
The Samsung Galaxy A15 takes poor videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes only fair videos.
The Samsung Galaxy A15 has poor video capabilities mainly due to inadequate video resolution and framerate, as well as subpar video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, paired with inferior microphone quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers a best-in-class video resolution and framerate, complemented by good software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality, resulting in superior video recordings.
Battery
9.1 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy A15 has 9.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$200
$340
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
The Samsung Galaxy A15 has a price of $200 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy A15 has a screen size of 6.5 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ is 6.7 inches.
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How the Samsung Galaxy A15 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy A15 | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$200 | $340 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2024 | January 29, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 396 | 394 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | E1280 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.2/10 | ||
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7/10 | ||
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | ||
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.1 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4800 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.3" x 3.02" | 6.36" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 7.05 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | No | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 5 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Light Blue, Blue Black | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | Yes | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21+
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Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy A15 or the Samsung Galaxy S21+
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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