Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S21
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CAMERA: Good—7.2/10
SIZE: Medium Android
BATTERY: Fair—6.6/10
The Samsung Galaxy S21 is a budget-friendly phone with a plastic back, released in 2021 with Android OS. It features a 6.2-inch OLED screen without curved edges. The camera system includes a 12MP main, 64MP telephoto with a 29mm focal length, and a 12MP ultrawide lens, offering good photo and video quality. The phone supports HDR10+ for videos and RAW output for photos. Its 4000mAh battery can last up to around 6.7 hours. It is equipped with the SD888 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, but does not have expandable memory via an SD card. The S21 has 5G capability, under-display fingerprint sensor, wireless charging, and is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, but lacks a headphone jack and front-facing stereo speakers. Its screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate and has a punch-hole design for the selfie camera. The device offers a solid performance, and is a suitable choice if you are looking for a modern smartphone without breaking the bank. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- High-quality OLED display
- Good overall camera quality
- Fast processor for performance
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling
- 5G capable for faster data
Cons
- No 3.5mm headphone jack
- Lacks SD card expansion
- Battery life could be better
- No charger included in the box
Ratings by Category
Performance:4.2
The Performance rating is based on GeekBench performance benchmark scores, combined with PerfectRec’s assessment of real-life typical use cases.
Overall Camera:4.1
The Samsung Galaxy S21 stands out with a very good photos software experience, ensuring that images are processed nicely for great results across various scenarios. Additionally, the phone's good camera versatility and selfie quality indicate it's capable of capturing a wide range of photos, including high-quality self-portraits, making it a solid choice for photography enthusiasts.
Photos:4.0
The Samsung Galaxy S21 takes good photos partly because it offers a very good software experience that enhances the photo-taking process, which is important for obtaining high-quality images. Additionally, the phone's selfie camera has been evaluated as providing good quality selfies, and this aspect is especially important for many users.
Battery Life:3.6
The Battery Life rating is based on overall actual measured battery life during typical usage.
Videos:3.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 captures high-quality videos owing to its excellent stabilization and dynamic range, ensuring smooth footage with well-balanced light and color. The microphone quality also contributes to clear audio, pairing well with the visual capabilities for a superior video recording experience.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $145 | ||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | Android | ||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | ||
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | 6.2" | ||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | ||
Variable refresh rate | No | ||
Pixels Per Inch | 421 | ||
Display Type | OLED | ||
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | SD888 | ||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | ||
RAM | 8 GB | ||
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score  | 7.2/10 | ||
Photos Score | 7/10 | ||
Videos Score | 6.6/10 | ||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | ||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | ||
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | ||
Battery Capacity | 4000 mAh | ||
Wireless Charging | Yes | ||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | ||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | ||
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | 5.97" x 2.8" | ||
Weight | 5.96 oz | ||
Back Material | Plastic | ||
Stereo Speakers | No | ||
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | Yes | ||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | ||
A2DP | Yes | ||
WiFi Version | 6 | ||
NFC | Yes | ||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | ||
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | ||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | ||
Color | Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink | ||
Stock Android | No | ||
SD Card | No | ||
Samsung Galaxy S21
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Central
Huseman Joe | February 2022
"The Galaxy S21 delivers the flagship Samsung experience in a phone that's much more pocketable (and affordable) than the top-end S21 Ultra.The triple-camera system is incredibly capable, Samsung's One UI 3.1 software is chock-full of features and settings to mess with, and I've not once missed having expandable storage."
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
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