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In this article, I give you my Samsung Galaxy S21 review with specs included. I did a full review of the S21 Ultra and this is the full review of the S21 which is the smallest of the three flagship line phones that Samsung released in January of 2021.

The Samsung Galaxy S21, with its 6.2-inch display, and the S21+, which is 6.7 inches, are part of the latest line-up from Samsung. The S21+ retains the same specifications as its smaller sibling, differing primarily in battery capacity. Both phones feature displays with the same resolution and are powered by the Snapdragon 888 CPU, supporting 5G connectivity.

For users outside the United States, the Exynos 2100 chipset may be available. The devices support low, mid, and millimeter wave 5G bands in the United States, though in regions without millimeter wave coverage, this feature may be absent.

Samsung has redesigned the phones, offering a sleek and modern appearance. The camera cluster has been seamlessly integrated into the design, enhancing the overall aesthetics of the devices. Despite these changes, the S21 starts at $799, while the S21+ starts at $999, making them more affordable options in the flagship smartphone market. The back of the devices features a glass-like material that mimics the appearance of matte glass, providing a premium feel. Various color options are available, with exclusive colors offered directly from Samsung’s website.

In terms of pricing, Samsung is competitive, particularly for customers considering the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE (Fan Edition). Aggressive initial pricing and trade-in offers make the S21 series a compelling choice, especially for those upgrading from older devices. The plastic back material offers durability and reduces the risk of shattering compared to traditional glass backs.

For device protection, accessories from ESR, such as cases and screen protectors, are recommended. Their clear cases provide shock resistance while preserving the phone’s design, and their liquid screen protectors offer affordability and self-healing properties.

Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 888 chipset ensures smooth operation and improved power efficiency compared to previous models. While the absence of a microSD card slot may disappoint some users, the devices run on Android 11 with One UI 3.1, providing a refined user experience.

The display, although slightly lower in resolution compared to previous models, remains impressive, offering vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The variable refresh rate of 120Hz enhances the viewing experience, adjusting based on content to optimize battery life.

Other improvements include a larger fingerprint scanner, which is faster and more reliable, and enhancements to the camera system. While the cameras offer incremental improvements over previous models, they remain competitive in the smartphone market. Features such as Single Take and Director’s View enhance the photography experience, offering versatility and creative options for users.

Battery life is robust, with both the S21 and S21+ offering all-day usage on a single charge. Fast charging and wireless charging options are available, along with reverse wireless charging for added convenience.

Competition in the Android smartphone market is limited, with Samsung dominating the flagship segment. The Galaxy S20 FE is the closest competitor in terms of price and features, but the S21 series offers several advantages, including better cameras and a more premium design.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S21+ are solid upgrades for users seeking a flagship Android smartphone. While they may not introduce groundbreaking features, they offer reliable performance, impressive cameras, and long-lasting battery life at a competitive price point.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 boasts several advantages and disadvantages, catering to a wide range of users. Below are extensive pros and cons of the device:

Pros:

1. Powerful Performance: The Galaxy S21 is equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (or Exynos 2100) chipset, ensuring smooth and responsive performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and gaming.
2. Stunning Display: The device features a vibrant 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a high refresh rate of 120Hz, delivering crisp visuals, smooth animations, and excellent color accuracy, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and gaming.
3. Compact Design: With its compact form factor and slim profile, the Galaxy S21 is comfortable to hold and easy to use with one hand, making it convenient for users who prefer smaller smartphones.
4. Premium Build Quality: The device features a sleek and modern design with a glass-like back panel and aluminum frame, giving it a premium look and feel that exudes sophistication and elegance.
5. Impressive Camera System: The Galaxy S21 boasts a versatile triple-camera setup, including a high-resolution main camera, an ultra-wide camera, and a telephoto camera, allowing users to capture stunning photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
6. Advanced Camera Features: With features like Single Take, Director’s View, and 8K video recording, users can unleash their creativity and capture professional-quality content with ease.
7. Long Battery Life: The Galaxy S21 is equipped with a sizable battery that provides all-day battery life, allowing users to stay connected and productive without worrying about running out of power.
8. Fast Charging: The device supports fast wired charging and wireless charging, enabling users to quickly recharge their devices and get back to their day-to-day activities without any downtime.
9. 5G Connectivity: With support for 5G networks, the Galaxy S21 offers blazing-fast download and upload speeds, enabling users to stream high-definition content, play online games, and browse the web with minimal latency.
10. Software Features: Samsung’s One UI software offers a plethora of useful features and customization options, enhancing the overall user experience and providing users with greater control over their device.

Cons:

1. Plastic Back: Unlike its predecessors, the Galaxy S21 features a plastic back panel instead of glass, which may feel less premium and more prone to scratches and fingerprints.
2. No MicroSD Card Slot: The absence of a microSD card slot limits storage expansion options, forcing users to rely solely on the device’s internal storage capacity, which may be insufficient for some users.
3. Lower Display Resolution: The Galaxy S21 features a Full HD+ resolution display, which is lower than the Quad HD+ resolution found in previous models, resulting in slightly less sharp visuals and text.
4. No Charger Included: Samsung has followed Apple’s lead by not including a charger in the box, which may inconvenience users who do not already own a compatible charger.
5. No Headphone Jack: Like many flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S21 does not feature a headphone jack, requiring users to use wireless headphones or USB-C headphones.
6. Limited Zoom Capability: While the device features a telephoto camera for optical zoom, its zoom capabilities are more limited compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which may disappoint users who prioritize zoom functionality.
7. Lack of 3.5mm Audio Jack: The absence of a 3.5mm audio jack means users will need to use wireless headphones or USB-C headphones, which may be inconvenient for those who prefer traditional wired headphones.
8. No Expandable Storage: The Galaxy S21 does not support expandable storage via a microSD card, limiting the amount of storage available to users and potentially requiring them to rely on cloud storage solutions.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 offers a compelling combination of performance, features, and design, making it a worthy contender in the flagship smartphone market. However, its plastic back, lack of a microSD card slot, and absence of a charger in the box may deter some potential buyers. Nonetheless, its powerful performance, stunning display, and advanced camera system are likely to appeal to many users seeking a premium Android smartphone experience.