Samsung Galaxy M31 vs Galaxy M21
Here we compared two mid-range smartphones: the 6.4-inch Samsung Galaxy M31 (with Exynos 7 Octa 9611) that was released on February 25, 2020, against the Samsung Galaxy M21, which is powered by the same chip. On this page, you will find tests, full specs, strengths, and weaknesses of each of the devices.
Key differences
Reasons to consider the Samsung Galaxy M31
- 15% better performance in AnTuTu Benchmark (245K versus 213K)
- The front-facing camera can record video at 4K
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Review
Display
Screen quality, color accuracy, brightness
Performance
CPU/GPU performance in apps and games
Battery
Battery life, charging type and speed
Camera
Photo and video recording quality
Connectivity
Networks, ports, data transmission
NanoReview score
Final comparison evaluation
Value for money
You can enter your local price of these phones (in USD or any other currency) and click on the "Calculate" button to see which one has a better value for money.
Tests and specifications
Comparison table of technical specifications and testsDisplay
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Size | 6.4 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels | 1080 x 2340 pixels |
| Aspect ratio | 19.5:9 | 19.5:9 |
| PPI | 403 ppi | 403 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Adaptive refresh rate | No | No |
| Max rated brightness | 600 nits | 630 nits |
| HDR support | Yes, HDR10 | No |
| Screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Screen-to-body ratio | 84% | 84.2% |
| Display features | - Always-On Display | - Always-On Display |
| RGB color space | 142% | 141.3% |
| PWM | 208 Hz | 215 Hz |
| Response time | 8.5 ms | 9 ms |
| Contrast | ∞ Infinity | ∞ Infinity |
Peak brightness test (auto)
Design and build
| Height | 159.2 mm (6.27 inches) | 159 mm (6.26 inches) |
| Width | 75.1 mm (2.96 inches) | 75.1 mm (2.96 inches) |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm (0.35 inches) | 8.9 mm (0.35 inches) |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Waterproof | No | No |
| Rear material | Plastic | Plastic |
| Frame material | Plastic | Plastic |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Black, Blue, Green |
| Fingerprint scanner | Yes, rear | Yes, rear |
Screen-to-body ratio
Performance
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 9611 | Samsung Exynos 7 Octa 9611 |
| Max clock | 2300 MHz | 2300 MHz |
| CPU cores | 8 (4 + 4) | 8 (4 + 4) |
| Architecture | - 4 cores at 1.7 GHz: Cortex-A53 - 4 cores at 2.3 GHz: Cortex-A73 |
- 4 cores at 1.7 GHz: Cortex-A53 - 4 cores at 2.3 GHz: Cortex-A73 |
| Lithography process | 10 nanometers | 10 nanometers |
| Graphics | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| GPU clock | 850 MHz | 850 MHz |
| FLOPS | ~259 GFLOPS | ~259 GFLOPS |
Benchmarks
Geekbench 5 (Single-Core)
Geekbench 5 (Multi-Core)
AnTuTu Benchmark 9
| CPU | 62115 | 61605 |
| GPU | 56904 | 43597 |
| Memory | 51495 | 45704 |
| UX | 74539 | 62702 |
| Total score | 245115 | 213262 |
3DMark Wild Life Performance
| Max surface temperature | 45.2 °C | 44.1 °C |
| Stability | 74% | 73% |
| Graphics test | 4 FPS | 4 FPS |
| Graphics score | 820 | 816 |
Memory
| RAM size | 6 GB | 4, 6 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
| Memory clock | 1866 MHz | 1866 MHz |
| Channels | 2 | 2 |
| Storage size | 128 GB | 64, 128 GB |
| Storage type | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Memory card | MicroSD | MicroSD |
| Memory card max size | Up to 512 GB | Up to 512 GB |
Software
| Operating system | Android 10 (Can be upgraded to Android 12) | Android 10.0 (Can be upgraded to Android 12.0) |
| ROM | One UI 4.1 | One Ui 4.1 |
| OS size | 15 GB | 14.5 GB |
Battery
| Capacity | 6000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Charge power | 15 W | 15 W |
| Battery type | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Replaceable | No | No |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Reverse charging | No | No |
| Fast charging | Yes, Samsung Adaptive Fast Charge (45% in 60 min) | Yes, Samsung Adaptive Fast Charge (25% in 30 min) |
| Full charging time | 2:25 hr | 2:35 hr |
Camera
| Matrix | 64 megapixels | 48 megapixels |
| Image resolution | 9248 x 6920 | 8000 x 6000 |
| Zoom | Digital | Digital |
| Flash | LED | LED |
| Stabilization | Digital | Digital |
| 8K video recording | No | No |
| 4K video recording | Up to 30FPS | Up to 30FPS |
| 1080p video recording | Up to 30FPS | Up to 30FPS |
| Slow motion | 240 FPS (720p) | 240 FPS (720p) |
| Angle of widest lens | 123° | 123° |
| Lenses | 4 (64 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP + 5 MP) | 3 (48 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP) |
| Wide (main) lens | - 64 MP - Aperture: f/1.8 - Focal length: 26 mm - Pixel size: 0.8 micron - Sensor: 1/1.72", ISOCELL Bright GW1 (ISOCELL CMOS) - Phase autofocus |
- 48 MP - Aperture: f/2.0 - Focal length: 26 mm - Pixel size: 0.8 micron - Sensor: 1/2.0", Samsung S5KGM2 (ISOCELL CMOS) - Phase autofocus |
| Ultra-wide lens | - 8 MP - Aperture: f/2.2 - Focal length: 12 mm - Pixel size: 1.12 micron - Sensor: 1/4.0" (CMOS) |
- 8 MP - Aperture: f/2.2 - Focal length: 12 mm - Pixel size: 1.12 micron - Sensor: 1/4.0" (CMOS) |
| Macro lens | - 5 MP - Aperture: f/2.2 |
- |
| Depth lens | - 5 MP - Aperture: f/2.2 - Pixel size: 1.12 micron - Sensor: 1/5.0" (CMOS) |
- 5 MP - Aperture: f/2.2 - Focal length: 25 mm - Pixel size: 1.12 micron - Sensor: 1/5.0" (CMOS) |
| Camera features | - Bokeh mode - Pro mode |
- Bokeh mode - Pro mode |
| Megapixels | 32 megapixels | 20 megapixels |
| Image resolution | 6528 x 4896 | 5184 x 3888 |
| Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.0 |
| Focal length | 26 mm | 26 mm |
| Pixel size | 0.8 microns | - |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.8" | - |
| Video resolution | 2160p (4K) at 30 FPS | 1080p (Full HD) at 30 FPS |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) |
| Wi-Fi features | - Dual Band - Wi-Fi Direct - Wi-Fi Hotspot - Wi-Fi Display |
- Dual Band - Wi-Fi Direct - Wi-Fi Hotspot |
| Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 |
| Bluetooth features | PBAP/PAB, PAN, OPP, MAP, HSP, HID, HFP, DIP, AVRCP, A2DP | PBAP/PAB, PAN, OPP, MAP, HSP, HID, HFP, DIP, AVRCP, A2DP |
| USB type | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| USB version | 2 | 2 |
| USB features | - Charging - USB-Storage mode - OTG |
- Charging - USB-Storage mode - OTG |
| GPS | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo |
| NFC* | Depends on the region | Yes |
| Infrared port | No | No |
| Number of SIM* | 2 | 2 |
| Type of SIM card | Nano | Nano |
| Multi SIM mode | Standby | Standby |
| eSIM support* | No | No |
| Hybrid slot | No | No |
| LTE Cat* | 12 | 12 |
| 5G support | No | No |
Sound
| Speakers | Mono | Mono |
| Headphone audio jack | Yes | Yes |
| FM radio | Yes | Yes |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
Speakers test
Max loudness
Other
| Category | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Announced | February 2020 | March 2020 |
| Release date | March 2020 | March 2020 |
| SAR (head) | 0.48 W/kg | 0.492 W/kg |
| SAR (body) | 1.13 W/kg | 1.13 W/kg |
| Sensors | - Proximity sensor - Gyroscope - Accelerometer - Ambient light sensor - Compass - Fingerprint |
- Proximity sensor - Gyroscope - Accelerometer - Ambient light sensor - Compass - Fingerprint |
*Disclaimer! NFC, GSM network support, and some other specs can be different depending on the country.
Conclusion
These smartphones have a lot in common, but we would recommend the Samsung Galaxy M31. It has a better performance and camera.
Cast your vote
Total votes: 1138
