Galaxy S21 Plus vs Galaxy S23 Plus: which is better to own and fix?

We compare Galaxy S phones the way a repairability guide should — not just cameras and benchmarks, but what breaks, what fixes cost, how available parts are, and which chassis is less painful when real life happens.

Quick take

Pick Galaxy S23 Plus if you care about stronger parts availability (excellent) and stronger overall shop rating (4/5). You're still in Android flagship repair territory, but the ownership gap shows up the first time you crack a screen or need a battery.

If you're choosing purely on sticker price, open the repair pricing links below for each model before you commit — a “cheap” used phone with a bad parts story is an expensive hobby.

Spec & repair snapshot

Use the comparison table for release year, chip, display, repairability, parts, and the failures we see most. The sections below explain why those numbers matter for this specific pair.

Ownership economics

Repairability is a tie at 6/10. Labor surprise will feel similar on both; pick on parts availability, used price, and which failures each model actually sees.

Galaxy S23 Plus has excellent parts availability vs good for Galaxy S21 Plus. When a part is scarce, downtime stretches and shops quote more cautiously — that alone can decide a used purchase.

Our editorial ratings sit at 4/5 (Galaxy S23 Plus) and 3.5/5 (Galaxy S21 Plus). Those scores blend repair reality with day-to-day ownership — not launch-day hype.

Galaxy S23 Plus — shop notes

• Repairability: 6/10
• Parts: excellent
• Our rating: 4/5
• Era / tier: current · plus
• Common issues: Battery degradation; USB-C / charging port wear; Screen cracks from drops
• Bench notes:
• Samsung screens and batteries are widely stocked — one of the easier Android lines to service.
• In-display fingerprint calibration matters after screen replacement — budget shop time.
• Genuine vs aftermarket parts affect always-on display, biometrics, and battery reporting.
• Full Galaxy S23 Plus review · Repair pricing

Galaxy S21 Plus — shop notes

• Repairability: 6/10
• Parts: good
• Our rating: 3.5/5
• Era / tier: current · plus
• Common issues: Battery degradation; USB-C / charging port wear; Screen cracks from drops
• Bench notes:
• Samsung screens and batteries are widely stocked — one of the easier Android lines to service.
• In-display fingerprint calibration matters after screen replacement — budget shop time.
• Genuine vs aftermarket parts affect always-on display, biometrics, and battery reporting.
• Full Galaxy S21 Plus review · Repair pricing

Generation gap

Galaxy S23 Plus (2023) sits two years ahead of Galaxy S21 Plus (2021). That's usually enough for a noticeable performance and software-support edge, while used pricing still overlaps enough that repair economics decide the winner.

Chip, display, and daily feel

Galaxy S23 Plus runs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 while Galaxy S21 Plus runs Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100. For most owners that matters less than battery health and screen condition after two years.

What actually breaks

Both phones share familiar shop traffic: Battery degradation; USB-C / charging port wear; Screen cracks from drops. Budget for those before you buy either used unit.

Which should you buy used?

1. Check battery health (Settings → Battery and device care) before either model
2. Ask about prior screen, back glass, or charging-port work — quality varies wildly by shop and part grade.
3. Price the #1 failure on each model using the linked repair pages before you negotiate.
4. Inspect for moisture indicators and bent frames — frame damage turns “simple” jobs into housing swaps.

These generations are close enough that condition and repair history usually beat raw year-of-release.

Repair cost & downtime (shop perspective)

| Factor | Galaxy S23 Plus | Galaxy S21 Plus | |--------|----------------|----------------| | Repairability | 6/10 | 6/10 | | Parts availability | excellent | good | | Typical first shop visit | Battery degradation | Battery degradation | | Second common issue | USB-C / charging port wear | USB-C / charging port wear | | Editorial rating | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |

Higher repairability and stronger parts availability usually mean fewer “we need to order that” delays and less labor surprise on common jobs.

Software & resale runway

Galaxy S23 Plus (2023) will generally outlast Galaxy S21 Plus (2021) on One UI and security updates, but the used price gap often swallows that advantage. If both phones are already several years old, condition, battery health, and prior repair quality matter more than the generation gap on paper.

Who should pick which?

• Choose Galaxy S23 Plus if you want large-screen Galaxy S with premium features, plus similar repair difficulty.
• Choose Galaxy S21 Plus if you specifically need large-screen Galaxy S with premium features and the used price leaves room for a repair cushion — even if overall ownership tilts the other way.

When to skip both

Skip this matchup entirely if either unit has an unknown repair history, a swollen battery, or a cracked OLED with no price adjustment — those problems erase any “winner” on a spreadsheet. Get a quote on the exact failure first.

We link full single-device reviews above when you want depth on one model only. For typical pricing ranges, use each model's repair page.