Samsung Galaxy S21 5G review
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a premium offering that checks all the right boxes. Its beautiful display, albeit with a lower resolution than its predecessors, shines with vibrant colors and crisp details. The flat design is a welcome change from the curved screens of yesteryear, making it a practical choice for daily use. The camera setup is impressive, featuring a 64-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera. The ability to record 8K video at 24fps is a game-changer for content creators. The single take mode allows users to capture multiple shots in quick succession, while the director's view feature enables more creative control over videos. The textured back provides a premium feel and helps to minimize smudges, making it easier to grip and hold. While there's no charger included in the box, pre-ordering the device comes with some incentives, including a free charger. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G feels like one of the best phones of the year, even with its more conservative design approach. It boasts stereo speakers, Wi-Fi six connectivity, and a sleek Type-C charging port. The device is available in multiple colors, adding to its appeal. In conclusion, the Galaxy S21 5G is a solid choice for those seeking a premium smartphone experience without breaking the bank. Its impressive camera capabilities, vibrant display, and durable design make it a compelling option for anyone in the market for a new Android device.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G boasts an impressive build quality and design that sets it apart from its competitors. The phone's flat display is a notable departure from the curved screens of previous Galaxy models, resulting in a more practical and user-friendly experience. The textured back of the device provides a comfortable grip, and it resists smudging and fingerprints remarkably well. In contrast to other phones on the market, such as the iPhone 12, which has a similar textured back but slightly taller design, the S21 5G's minimal bezel and punch-out camera make it a sleek and premium offering. One of the standout features of the S21 5G is its triple-camera setup, featuring an ultra-wide lens, a main wide lens, and a telephoto camera. The cameras are capable of capturing stunning images and videos, with options such as 64 megapixel mode, 16:9 aspect ratio, and even 8k recording. The phone's design also includes a subtle chin at the bottom, which is barely noticeable. Overall, the S21 5G exudes a sense of premium quality, making it one of the best-designed phones on the market. Its sleek appearance and improved build materials make it a joy to hold and use, even for extended periods. In terms of build quality, the phone feels solid and durable, with no signs of creaking or flexing in the frame. The device's weight is evenly distributed, making it comfortable to carry around. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a testament to the company's commitment to producing high-quality devices that are both visually appealing and functional.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G boasts a robust battery that promises to last all day. In my experience, this phone delivers on its promise. I was able to use the device for an entire day without needing to recharge it, even with moderate usage. One of the key factors contributing to the excellent battery life is the new 4500mAh battery. This provides a significant boost in power capacity compared to previous models, ensuring that you can get through your day without worrying about running out of juice. I also appreciate how efficiently the phone's processor and software work together to conserve battery life. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, paired with One UI 3, ensures that background processes are optimized, minimizing unnecessary drain on the battery. While I did not conduct extensive benchmarking or stress testing, my real-world usage suggests that the Galaxy S21 5G can easily last a full day with moderate use. If you're someone who uses their phone for extended periods, you'll be pleased to know that this device will keep up with your demands. Overall, the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a significant strength of this phone. It's a testament to the manufacturer's focus on delivering a product that meets the needs of modern smartphone users.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G boasts a stunning display that sets the tone for an exceptional viewing experience. The flat design is both practical and aesthetically pleasing, providing a minimalistic look that's free from the curve of its predecessors. Resolution-wise, the phone has taken a slight step back to 1080p, but this doesn't detract from the overall quality of the display. In fact, it allows for a more efficient use of power, and the resulting images are still crisp and vibrant. The FHD+ resolution (2208 x 1080) provides a satisfactory level of detail, although some might have expected an increase to QHD or even higher. The screen itself is responsive and snappy, making navigation and scrolling through content a seamless experience. Colors are accurately rendered, with deep blacks that add depth and dimensionality to the visuals. While not as stunning as some other high-end smartphones, the display is still more than capable of handling demanding tasks like video playback or gaming. In comparison to its competitors, the Galaxy S21 5G's display holds its own against the likes of Apple's iPhone 12 and Samsung's own Note series. It may not be the most impressive aspect of this phone, but it does the job admirably. The overall effect is a solid, dependable viewing experience that complements the rest of the device. In conclusion, while some might have hoped for more from the display department, the Galaxy S21 5G's screen is certainly capable and enjoyable to use. It won't blow you away with its resolution or pixel density, but it gets the job done in a clean and efficient manner.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G boasts an impressive triple camera setup, comprising a 64-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 12-megapixel telephoto shooter. First impressions suggest that this phone's camera performance is on par with some of the more premium offerings from Samsung, such as the Note 20 Ultra. The triple camera setup allows for flexible shooting options, including switching between wide-angle, ultra-wide, or zoomed-in shots. The main sensor can shoot in 16:9 aspect ratio, and users can also switch to a 64-megapixel mode, which is ideal for capturing detailed images of subjects. One notable feature of the Galaxy S21 5G camera is its ability to record video in 8K resolution at 24fps. This is an impressive capability, especially considering that most smartphones struggle to capture high-quality video beyond 4K resolution. Additionally, users can also switch to a pro mode, which offers advanced features like director's view and AR doodle. The telephoto lens, with its 12-megapixel sensor, allows for optical zoom up to 3x, making it an excellent choice for capturing distant subjects or compressing the background in portrait shots. The ultra-wide lens, on the other hand, provides a generous 123-degree field of view, perfect for landscape photography or broad scene capture. While some might wish for a higher resolution front camera, the 10-megapixel sensor does its job well, allowing for crisp and detailed selfies. Additionally, it can also record video in up to 4K resolution at 60fps, making it an excellent choice for vlogging or capturing live moments. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G's camera is a significant highlight of this phone, offering flexibility, high-quality images, and impressive video capabilities. While there are some minor limitations, such as the lower-resolution front camera, this setup is more than capable of delivering excellent results in various photography scenarios.
Price and Value
The latest offering from Samsung, the Galaxy S21 5G, is an intriguing device that boasts premium features at a competitive price point. As we dive into this review, it's essential to understand whether this phone justifies its cost and offers enough value for customers. The Galaxy S21 5G starts at $799, which is slightly lower than its predecessor. While the reduced pricing might be appealing, it's crucial to consider the overall package you're getting with this device. In terms of value for money, the Galaxy S21 5G fares well. The phone boasts a stunning flat display with a textured back that resists smudges. The camera setup is impressive, featuring a triple-camera system with a 64-megapixel main sensor, 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens. Additionally, the device supports 8K video recording, which is a feature not commonly seen in smartphones. The phone also comes with a capable front-facing camera, stereo speakers, Type-C USB port, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and runs on Android 11 with One UI 3. While these features are premium, they come at an affordable price point compared to other flagships in the market. The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a well-rounded device that offers excellent value for its price. The reduced pricing makes it more competitive in the market, and the inclusion of premium features such as the triple-camera system and 8K video recording make it an attractive option for those seeking high-end performance. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and don't want to break the bank, the Galaxy S21 5G is definitely worth considering. Its price point is reasonable, and the device's capabilities will keep you satisfied for quite some time.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is an impressive device that boasts exceptional performance capabilities. In my initial impressions, I was blown away by the phone's ability to handle demanding tasks with ease. The triple-camera setup, featuring a 64-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and 12-megapixel telephoto camera, is capable of capturing stunning images and videos. The addition of features like 8K recording, Director's View, and Pro Video modes make it an attractive option for content creators. The phone's performance is also enhanced by its sleek design, featuring a beautiful flat display with minimal bezels and a textured back that resists smudging. While the resolution may have been reduced from previous models, the overall visual experience is still impressive. One of the standout features of the Galaxy S21 5G is its ability to handle intensive tasks without breaking a sweat. The phone's performance is lightning-fast, making it ideal for gaming, video editing, and other resource-intensive activities. In terms of performance metrics, I was impressed by the phone's ability to multitask seamlessly, with multiple apps running in the background without any noticeable lag. Additionally, the phone's battery life has been impressive, lasting a full day with moderate use. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-performance smartphone that can handle demanding tasks with ease. Its powerful processor, combined with its sleek design and advanced camera capabilities, make it a compelling option in the mid-range segment.