Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S25

Our Verdict: If you've got the Galaxy S21 Plus, the Galaxy S25 is four years of updates on from it. The S21+ 5G has a noticeably higher-resolution main camera, 64MP against the S25's 50MP, and there's more battery in the S21+ 5G, 4800mAh to 4000mAh, which should mean longer between charges in day-to-day use. The S21+ 5G has the bigger screen at 6.7" against 6.2", while the S25 has the sharper one at 416 PPI, and the S25 goes up to 512GB of storage, where the S21+ 5G tops out at 256GB. If you're on the S21+ 5G, the S25 is a real step up, but only worth it if the changes above matter to you.

If you'd rather pay up front, the S21+ 5G is the cheaper buy at £139 SIM-free.

Expert Rating
4.0
10 reviews
4.1
11 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.2"
Display
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1080 x 2400 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
393 416
Rear Camera
64 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
10 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Exynos 2100 Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery
4,800 mAh 4,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS
Android 11 Android 15
SIM Type
Standard SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth
5.0, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
161.4 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm 146.9 x 70.4 x 7.2 mm
Weight
202 grams 162 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
- £10.00/mo (£389.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£139.00 £409.99
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung Galaxy S25
Expert Rating 4.0
10 reviews
4.1
11 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.2"
Display Dynamic AMOLED 2X Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 393 416
Rear Camera 64 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 10 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Exynos 2100 Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery 4,800 mAh 4,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
OS Android 11 Android 15
SIM Type Standard SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 161.4 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm 146.9 x 70.4 x 7.2 mm
Weight 202 grams 162 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts - £10.00/mo
£389.00 upfront
SIM-free £139.00 £409.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus

128GB

Phantom Silver

Refurbished

From £139

Samsung Galaxy S25
Samsung Galaxy S25

24 Months

128GB

Icy Blue

300GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£10 per month, £389 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25?

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Samsung Galaxy S25's 6.2", the Samsung Galaxy S25 has the sharper display at 416 pixels per inch versus 393, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel while the Samsung Galaxy S25 has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25?

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus features a 64 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25?

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £139.00.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S25?

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S25 use?

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus is powered by the Exynos 2100, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 uses the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is the more portable of the two: it's 40g lighter at 162 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.9 x 70.4 x 7.2 mm, and is slimmer at 7.2mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S25?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S25 run?

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus runs Android 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 runs Android 15. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.