Samsung Galaxy S21 Review (2021): A Bold New Direction for Samsung’s Flagship
When Samsung Galaxy S21 officially launched in early 2021, it marked a significant shift in
Samsung’s flagship philosophy. After the premium-heavy pricing and features of the S20 lineup, Samsung took a different route, refining performance, adjusting materials, and making flagship technology more accessible.
Announced on January 14, 2021, and released globally on January 29, 2021, the Galaxy S21 arrived with cutting-edge hardware, a redesigned look, and a more competitive price point.
This detailed review explores everything you need to know about the Galaxy S21, from design and performance to camera capabilities, pricing, and how it compares to its predecessor.
Design and Build: A Fresh Identity
Samsung introduced a bold new design language with the Galaxy S21. The most noticeable change is the
Contour Cut Camera housing, which seamlessly blends into the metal frame, giving the phone a futuristic and premium feel.
Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S21 features a
polycarbonate (plastic) back, while retaining a strong aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus on the front.
Comparison with Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Compared to
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, the design approach is quite different:
- S20 Ultra: Glass back, heavier, more premium feel
- S21: Lighter, more durable plastic back, modern camera integration
While some users may prefer the glass finish of the S20 Ultra, the S21’s design is arguably more practical, less prone to fingerprints and accidental damage.
The S21 also feels more compact and easier to use with one hand, thanks to its 6.2-inch display and slimmer profile.
Display: Smooth and Stunning
The Galaxy S21 comes with a
6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display featuring:
- Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080)
- Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate (48Hz–120Hz)
- HDR10+ support
Although Samsung dropped the Quad HD resolution seen in the S20 Ultra, the difference is barely noticeable in everyday use. Instead, users benefit from smoother scrolling and better battery efficiency.
The display remains one of the best in its class, bright, vibrant, and highly responsive.
Performance: Flagship Power
Under the hood, the Galaxy S21 is powered by either:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (USA)
- Samsung Exynos 2100 (Global markets)
Both chipsets are built on a
5nm architecture, delivering improved performance and power efficiency.
Key Performance Specs:
- 8GB RAM
- 128GB / 256GB storage (no microSD support)
- Android 11 with One UI 3.1
In real-world usage, the S21 handles everything effortlessly, gaming, multitasking, and heavy apps all run smoothly. The absence of a microSD slot may disappoint some users, but the fast internal storage compensates for it.
Camera: Smart Photography Evolution
Samsung didn’t radically change the camera hardware, but it significantly improved software processing.
Triple Camera Setup:
- 12MP (Main)
- 64MP (Telephoto)
- 12MP (Ultra-wide)
The Galaxy S21 excels in:
- Night photography
- Portrait shots with better edge detection
- Zoom stability with “Zoom Lock”
- 8K video recording
Thanks to enhanced AI and processing power, photos come out sharper, brighter, and more detailed, even in challenging lighting conditions.
Battery Life: Reliable All-Day Power
The Galaxy S21 packs a
4000mAh battery, which is sufficient for a full day of moderate to heavy use.
Charging Features:
- 25W fast charging
- 15W wireless charging
- Reverse wireless charging
Samsung removed the charger from the box, which sparked some controversy at launch. However, battery optimization improvements help maintain solid endurance.
Software Experience: Clean and Feature-Rich
Running on
Android 11 with One UI 3.1, the Galaxy S21 offers a refined and user-friendly experience.
Key features include:
- Samsung DeX (desktop experience)
- Enhanced privacy controls
- Improved UI animations
- Long-term software support
Samsung has also committed to multiple years of updates, making the device a future-proof investment.
Connectivity and Extras
- 5G support
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.0
- IP68 water and dust resistance
The Galaxy S21 is built for the future, ensuring fast connectivity and durability.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Price at Launch
At release, the Galaxy S21 was priced more competitively than the S20 series:
- $799 (USD)
- ₦305,000 – ₦330,000 (approx in Nigeria at 2021 rates)
- £769 (GBP approx)
- ₹69,999 (INR approx)
Samsung’s decision to lower the starting price made the S21 more appealing to a wider audience.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Premium and unique design
- Excellent performance (Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100)
- Smooth 120Hz display
- Improved camera processing
- Competitive launch price
- Strong software support
Cons:
- Plastic back instead of glass
- No microSD card slot
- No charger in the box
- Lower resolution than S20 Ultra
Conclusion: Is the Galaxy S21 Worth It in 2021?
The Samsung Galaxy S21 represents a
smart evolution rather than a radical upgrade. Samsung focused on delivering what truly matters, performance, camera quality, and usability, while trimming unnecessary extras to reduce cost.
Compared to the S20 Ultra, it may feel less “luxurious” in materials, but it makes up for it with practicality, affordability, and refined performance.
For anyone looking for a flagship experience without paying ultra-premium prices, the Galaxy S21 stands out as one of the best choices of 2021.
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