Galaxy M16 5G vs Galaxy S21 5G

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Samsung Galaxy M16 5G

Lifespan decides this one: the Galaxy M16 5G is supported until Feb 2031 at $2.66 per month of safe use, while the Galaxy S21 5G is already past its support window. On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Galaxy M16 5G 75 · Galaxy S21 5G 40 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Samsung Galaxy M16 5G $150

Safe to buy$2.66/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Feb 20292031

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G $190

Avoid buyingsupport ended

2021◆ Buy-by Jan 20232025

Category by category

Display

Galaxy M16 5G 50Galaxy S21 5G 70

The Galaxy S21 5G's screen is the better one — 6.2-inch dynamic amoled 2x, 1080×2400 (fhd+), 120hz, hdr10+.

Performance

Galaxy M16 5G 42Galaxy S21 5G 62

The Galaxy S21 5G's Snapdragon 888 (US) is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Galaxy M16 5G 55Galaxy S21 5G 79

The Galaxy S21 5G has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

Galaxy M16 5G 80Galaxy S21 5G 60

5,000mAh vs 4,000mAh — the Galaxy M16 5G lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Galaxy M16 5G 67Galaxy S21 5G 0

The Galaxy M16 5G is supported until Feb 2031 — 73 months longer than the Galaxy S21 5G.

Value

Galaxy M16 5G 75Galaxy S21 5G 40

Overall value goes to the Galaxy M16 5G at $2.66 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Galaxy M16 5G	Galaxy S21 5G
Price (street)	$150	$190
Display	6.7-inch Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 (FHD+), 90Hz	6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080×2400 (FHD+), 120Hz, HDR10+
Chipset	MediaTek Dimensity 6300	Snapdragon 888 (US)
RAM	4GB/6GB/8GB	8GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	5,000 mAh	4,000 mAh
Charging	25W wired	25W wired, 15W wireless
Rear cameras	50MP main, 5MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro	12MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 64MP telephoto 3x hybrid
Dimensions	164.6 × 77.9 × 7.9 mm	151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm
Weight	191 g	169 g
Water resistance	None	IP68
Supported until	Feb 2031	Jan 2025

Galaxy M16 5G full verdict →Galaxy S21 5G full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.