Are you thinking about upgrading from the Samsung Galaxy S21 128GB to the new Galaxy S24? You’re not alone! These two phones are part of Samsung’s top lineup. But you might be wondering—how are they different? And more importantly, do they both support Windows integration the same way? Let’s explore this in a fun and easy way!
Both phones come packed with power and features. But there are big—and small—differences. In this guide, we’ll compare the Galaxy S21 128GB and the Galaxy S24, focusing on their support for Windows functions. We’ll also check out some bonus features and what makes each phone cool in its own way.
📱 First things first: Let’s talk about the design
The Galaxy S21 came out in early 2021. It has a sleek body, curved edges, and a plastic back (Samsung called it “Glasstic”—not glass, not plastic). It feels light and handy. The S24, released in 2024, stepped it up. It features a smoother, flat design, made with strong materials like Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It feels solid and premium.
The screen on the S24 is also brighter and sharper. Samsung upgraded the display tech big time. Colors pop more. Text looks sharper. And on sunny days? Way easier to see your screen!
⚙️ Performance: Fast vs Super Fast
Performance is where you’ll start seeing clear differences. The S21 is no slouch. It comes with a Snapdragon 888 chipset (or Exynos 2100 in some regions). Apps run fine. Games play well. It’s still a great phone!
But the Galaxy S24 is a beast! It runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Everything moves quicker. Apps open instantly. Multitasking is smoother than ever. Plus, the S24 has enhanced AI features that make your smartphone smarter than ever!
So if speed matters to you—especially if you run a lot of apps or games—the S24 is a step up you’ll notice.
💾 Storage: 128GB vs Options Galore
The S21 in this comparison has 128GB of storage. That’s decent, but you can fill it up fast with photos, videos, and apps. Sadly, there’s no SD card slot. So once it’s full, that’s it.
The S24 also doesn’t have expandable storage (bummer, we know), but it comes with more options! You can choose from 128GB, 256GB, and even 512GB. If you plan to keep your phone for a few years, extra space can be super helpful.
🔌 Now, let’s get nerdy: Windows support
This is where it gets super interesting!
Both the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S24 support Windows—but how they do it varies slightly. Samsung works closely with Microsoft. That’s why you’ll find a feature called “Link to Windows” built into both phones.
Here’s what Link to Windows lets you do:
- See your phone’s notifications on your PC
- Send and receive texts from your computer
- Make and take calls using your PC’s mic and speakers
- Access and drag-&-drop photos between devices
- Open Android apps on your Windows screen
Pretty cool, right? And both the S21 and S24 support all of those features. But the S24 takes it a step further.
What’s extra on the S24?
Samsung added a little something called Galaxy AI. These AI improvements come in handy when you’re working between devices. For example, you can:
- Use AI to summarize text quickly when you’re copying to your PC
- Auto-sort screenshots into folders when sent to Windows
- Use voice commands with smarter language processing between devices
Plus, the S24 pairs even more smoothly with Windows 11 PCs. It launches connected apps faster and handles file sharing better, thanks to a new “Smart Transfer” system.
🖼 Camera fun!
Okay, this article focuses on Windows support, but let’s not ignore the cameras. Because, come on, who doesn’t love snapping a perfect photo?
The S21 has a very solid triple-camera setup. You get good daytime shots and sharp videos. But the S24? It’s a whole new level of fun. With AI photo enhancements, improved night mode, and even better zoom, your shots will look professional—even if you’re just pointing and snapping.
And yes, both phones let you quickly transfer your photos straight to your PC. Hello, easy editing!
🔋 Battery and charging
What’s a powerful phone without power?
Battery life on both phones is similar. The S21 has a 4,000mAh battery and the S24 has around the same size—but it’s more power-efficient.
The newer chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) in the S24 saves energy. So you might get a longer day on a single charge, even though the battery sizes match.
💡 Apps and Software
When it comes to app support, both phones run Android and come with Samsung One UI. But the S24 comes with the latest version and will get updates for longer.
Samsung promises that the S24 will get up to 7 years of software updates! That’s almost unheard of in the Android world. The S21 is still updating, but not for that much longer.
🎮 Extra cool features
You’ll find some neat extras on both phones. Here’s a quick list of fun things you might enjoy:
S21 and S24 both have:
- 5G support
- High refresh rate displays (smooth scrolling!)
- Water and dust resistance
S24 adds new goodies like:
- Smarter voice commands
- Better screen brightness in sunlight
- Enhanced night photography
🧠 Final thoughts: Should you upgrade?
If you’re happy with your S21, it still works great. You can connect to your PC, handle work easily, and run most modern apps with no problem.
But—the S24 is just… more. It’s faster, has better support for future Windows features, and is built for the next 7+ years. If you’re setting up a smart office or want your devices to work together like magic, the S24 is worth considering.
🌟 Verdict
S21 128GB:
- Great performance for daily use
- Still supports Link to Windows well
- Might run out of storage quickly
S24:
- Top performance with new AI features
- Best Windows integration to date
- Several storage options to fit your needs
So there you have it! Whether you stick with the trusty S21 or leap to the futuristic S24, both will keep you connected to your PC and beyond.