The Galaxy S21 was a great phone. But now, Samsung has released the Galaxy S24. You might be wondering — is it really worth upgrading? Or is your S21 still holding up just fine?
TLDR:
If you love faster performance, much better camera features, and longer software support, the Galaxy S24 is a smart upgrade. It’s especially worth it if you take lots of photos or use your phone heavily every day. But if your S21 still works great and you’re on a budget, you can hold off for a bit longer. The jump is nice, but not absolutely necessary for everyone.
📱 Design: Not a Huge Leap
Let’s face it — phones kind of look the same nowadays. The S21 and S24 both have that sleek, modern Galaxy vibe.
- S21: Plastic back, curved edges, punch-hole front camera.
- S24: Flat display, matte finish, more squared-off edges. Classier overall.
The S24 feels a bit more premium in the hand. It’s also slightly lighter and has a tougher frame made from “Armor Aluminum.”
But in everyday use — they feel similar. Unless you’re very picky about textures or colors, design alone isn’t worth the jump.
⚡ Performance: Now We’re Talking!
This is where things get fun. The Galaxy S24 is blazing fast thanks to its newer chip.
- S21: Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100 based on region).
- S24: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 — way faster and more power-efficient.
If you’re a multitasker or a mobile gamer, you’ll notice smoother gameplay and quicker app switching. Even day-to-day stuff like scrolling, opening apps, and using the camera feels faster.
The S21 still holds up well, but the S24 offers that silky-smooth flagship performance we all drool over.
📸 Camera: AI Magic on the S24
The S21 already had a strong camera system. But the S24 turns things up a notch — especially with AI-powered tricks.
- Photo Zoom: The S24 has better zoom capabilities with clearer detail at high levels.
- Photo Editing: You can move objects, perfect skies, and even erase reflections using Generative AI. It’s like Photoshop, but in your pocket!
- Night Mode: The S24 does better in low light with less grain and more clarity.
If you use your phone as your main camera, this upgrade is seriously worth it. Especially if you like posting your pics on Instagram or sharing moments with friends. The results are noticeably better on the S24.
🔋 Battery: Better Efficiency, Same Size
Both phones rock a 4000 mAh battery. But the S24’s newer chip and software magic make it last longer.
- S21: Decent battery life, but starts to struggle after a few years of use.
- S24: Can easily last you a full day, even with heavy use.
Charging speed hasn’t changed much. There’s still 25W fast charging and wireless charging on both. But the extra efficiency in the S24 gives you more real-world battery juice.
🧠 Software & AI Features: The Smart Upgrade
This is one of the biggest reasons to consider the jump.
The S24 comes packed with AI features Samsung calls Galaxy AI. Here are some ways it helps:
- Live Translate: Real-time voice translation for phone calls. Super cool for travelers and multilingual friends.
- Note Assist: Automatically summarizes your notes. No more reading giant paragraphs!
- Generative Edit: Editing photos with AI to change details or remove objects.
- Circle to Search: Just draw a circle around something on your screen to search it instantly in Google. No typing needed!
The S21 won’t get all these features. And even if it gets a few, the hardware might not be able to run them smoothly. So if you’re excited about having a phone that feels smart, the S24 is worth a look.
✅ Software Support: Longevity Matters
This one is pretty important if you like keeping your phone for years.
- S21: Came out in 2021. Likely to stop getting major Android updates in 2025.
- S24: Promised seven years of software updates by Samsung.
That means the S24 will keep getting better and more secure all the way to 2031. That’s a long time in phone years!
💰 Price Talk: Is It Worth the Money?
Let’s be real. New phones aren’t cheap.
- Galaxy S24: Starts around $799 (USD).
- Used S21: You can find these for $250-$350 used or refurbished.
If your S21 is still fast, has decent battery life, and no cracks or issues — you might want to save your money. But if you crave new features, or if your S21 is starting to feel sluggish, the upgrade can be worth it.
🎯 Who Should Upgrade?
You should upgrade if:
- You want better photos and fun AI tools.
- Your S21 battery isn’t lasting like it used to.
- You want the latest software features and security updates.
- You use your phone for work, creative projects, or heavy multitasking.
You can skip it (for now) if:
- Your S21 still feels fast and reliable.
- You don’t mind missing out on new camera or AI features.
- You’re waiting for even bigger changes in the S25 or beyond.
- Money’s a bit tight at the moment (we feel you).
🎉 Final Verdict: To Upgrade or Not?
The Galaxy S24 is a true flagship. It has smarter AI, better photos, and way more long-term support. It’s not just a “small upgrade” — it brings a lot to the table.
But that doesn’t mean the Galaxy S21 is outdated. It was ahead of its time and still performs well in 2024. If you’re happy with your phone now, there’s no rush.
However, if you’re ready for a phone that feels like it’s from the future, the S24 is calling your name. And it’s calling with AI, performance, and a whole lot of cool.