The Samsung Galaxy M series offers excellent value for money, but choosing between models can be tricky. We're pitting the Galaxy M21 2021 against the Galaxy M31 to help you determine which phone best suits your needs and budget. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy M31 offers a slight edge with its larger storage and RAM configuration, making it a better choice for power users and those needing more space. However, the M21 2021 remains a solid option, especially if you find it at a lower price point, offering similar performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 21 | 2020, February 25. Released 2020, March 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 26 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159 x 75.1 x 9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 11, One UI 3.1 Core | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 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
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, 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, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Black, Arctic Blue | Ocean Blue, Space Black, Red |
| Models | SM-M215G, SM-M215G/DS | SM-M315F, SM-M315F/DS, SM-M315F/DSN |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 310 EUR |
| SAR | 0.47 W/kg (head) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.69 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | C$ 885.00 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 199.00 |
Samsung Galaxy M21 2021
- Excellent battery life
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Smooth performance for everyday tasks
- Competitive price
- 15W charging is slow
- Camera lacks versatility compared to M31
- May have limited RAM options
Samsung Galaxy M31
- Large 128GB storage
- Versatile camera system with depth and macro lenses
- Smooth multitasking with 6GB RAM
- Excellent battery life
- Slightly higher price
- 15W charging is slow
- Design is similar to M21 2021
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution. The visual experience will be largely similar on both devices, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The M31 might have slightly better outdoor visibility due to potential minor differences in brightness, but it's negligible.
Camera Comparison
The M31 generally boasts a more versatile camera setup. While both have a primary 48MP sensor, the M31 typically includes a dedicated depth sensor and a macro lens, offering more creative options. The M21 2021's camera is still capable, but lacks the added versatility of the M31.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Exynos 9611 chipset, ensuring comparable performance. Expect smooth multitasking and decent gaming capabilities on both. The M31's 6GB of RAM provides a slight advantage in handling multiple apps simultaneously compared to the M21 2021's likely 4GB or 6GB configuration (depending on the variant).
Battery Life
Both phones pack a substantial 6000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. Expect similar usage times on both devices, easily lasting a full day even with moderate to heavy use. Charging speeds are identical at 15W wired.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize a smooth experience for everyday tasks and occasional gaming. The Galaxy M31 is better suited for users who need more storage for photos, videos, and apps, and appreciate a slightly more premium feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Exynos 9611 a good processor?
The Exynos 9611 is a capable mid-range processor suitable for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. It won't handle the most demanding games at high settings, but it provides a smooth experience for most users.
❓ Which phone has better storage?
The Samsung Galaxy M31 typically comes with 128GB of storage, while the M21 2021 may have options for 64GB or 128GB. The M31 offers more storage space out of the box.
