Samsung Galaxy A20s vs A21s: A Detailed Comparison

Looking for a reliable and affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy A20s and A21s are popular contenders in the budget segment. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A21s generally edges out the A20s thanks to its more powerful Exynos 850 chipset, brighter display, and slightly improved camera capabilities. While both offer solid battery life, the A21s provides a smoother overall experience for a small price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A20s	Samsung Galaxy A21s

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-A207F/DS	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - SM-A207F/DS	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - SM-A207M/DS	-

Launch
Announced	2019, September 24. Released 2019, October 05	2020, May 15. Released 2020, June 02
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	163.3 x 77.5 x 8 mm (6.43 x 3.05 x 0.31 in)	163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	183 g (6.46 oz)	192 g (6.77 oz)

Display
Resolution	720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density)	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size	6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	PLS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53	Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm)	Exynos 850 (8 nm)
GPU	Adreno 506	Mali-G52
OS	Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI Core 3.1	Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM	32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4/6GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad	-	48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Triple	13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.0	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	4.2, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	FM radio	FM radio, RDS, recording
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	15W wired	15W wired
Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Blue, Red, Green	Black, White, Blue, Red
Models	SM-A207F, SM-A207M, SM-A2070	SM-A217F, SM-A217F/DS, SM-A217F/DSN, SM-A217M, SM-A217M/DS, SM-A217N
Price	About 250 EUR	About 220 EUR
SAR	0.69 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body)	-
SAR EU	0.35 W/kg (head) 0.83 W/kg (body)	0.42 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 119h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1287:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-30.0 LUFS (Average)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 107157 (v8) GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1) GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A20s

Affordable
Decent battery life
Compact size

Older chipset
Lower brightness display
Slower performance

Samsung Galaxy A21s

Faster performance (Exynos 850)
Brighter display
Improved camera
Modern design

Slightly larger size
Price slightly higher than A20s

Display Comparison

The Galaxy A21s boasts a noticeably brighter display with a measured 490 nits of brightness compared to the A20s (brightness data unavailable, assumed lower). Both offer a good contrast ratio of 1287:1, but the A21s' higher brightness makes it easier to view outdoors. The A21s also has a slightly larger display, enhancing the viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer decent camera performance for their price range, the A21s generally produces slightly better images with more detail and accurate colors. The A21s also benefits from software optimizations that improve image processing. Specific camera specs are not detailed, but the A21s is generally considered superior.

Performance

The A21s' Exynos 850 chipset (8nm) is a significant upgrade over the A20s' Snapdragon 450 (14nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness. The A21s handles demanding apps and games more effectively.

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the A21s achieving an endurance rating of 119 hours. The A20s also has a large battery (4000mAh), providing all-day usage. While both are impressive, the A21s' more efficient chipset contributes to its slightly better endurance.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A20s? Those on a very tight budget who prioritize a slightly smaller form factor and don't need the absolute best performance. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A21s? Most users will benefit from the A21s' superior performance, better display, and slightly more modern features, making it the better long-term investment.