The Ultimate Guide to Samsung Galaxy S21 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Body and Design

The Samsung Galaxy S21 boasts a sleek and sophisticated design, featuring a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, ensuring enhanced durability against scratches and drops. The device has an aluminum frame and a plastic back, providing a lightweight feel while retaining a premium look. The physical dimensions stand at 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm, and it weighs 169 grams, making it easy to handle and operate with one hand. Available in various colors such as Phantom Gray, Phantom White, Phantom Violet, and Phantom Pink, users can choose a style that suits their preferences.

Display

The Galaxy S21 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, promising a smooth and fluid user experience. With HDR10+ support and peak brightness of 1300 nits, the screen delivers vibrant colors and deep contrasts, making it ideal for multimedia consumption. It offers a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels with a 20:9 ratio, providing clear and crisp visuals. The nearly bezel-less design offers an immersive viewing experience, perfect for watching videos and gaming.

Performance

Under the hood, the Galaxy S21 is powered by the Exynos 2100 chipset, built on a 5nm process for efficient performance and battery management. The international variant comes with this chipset, while some markets offer the Snapdragon 888 5G. The CPU configuration includes an octa-core setup with one Cortex-X1, three Cortex-A78, and four Cortex-A55 cores, ensuring robust processing capabilities for multitasking and demanding applications. Coupled with the Mali-G78 MP14 GPU or Adreno 660 depending on the region, users can enjoy high-end gaming experiences with ease.

Camera System

The Galaxy S21 comes equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup. The main camera features a 12MP wide sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and Optical Image Stabilization for clarity in diverse lighting conditions. The 64MP telephoto lens offers 1.1x optical zoom and up to 3x hybrid zoom, allowing users to capture distant subjects in detail. Additionally, the 12MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view is perfect for landscape and group shots. Video recording capabilities support up to 8K resolution at 24fps, with options for 4K and 1080p at various frame rates. The inclusion of Super Steady video and HDR10+ ensures sharp and vibrant video quality.

Battery and Charging

The device houses a 4000mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery that offers substantial battery life to keep up with daily activities. It supports 25W wired charging with PD3.0, 15W wireless charging using Qi/PMA standards, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, ensuring versatile options to keep the device powered. These features provide users with convenience and flexibility, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity.

Storage and Memory

The Galaxy S21 offers two storage options: 128GB and 256GB, both accompanied by 8GB of RAM. This ample storage capacity ensures users can store numerous apps, media files, and documents without concerns of running out of space. However, it is important to note that the device does not support external memory through a card slot, so users need to consider their storage needs carefully at the time of purchase.

Operating System and User Interface

The Galaxy S21 runs on Android 11, complemented by Samsung's One UI 3.1. This combination offers a seamless and intuitive user interface, with customization options that allow for personalization according to user preferences. Regular software updates ensure the device remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features and improvements.

Connectivity and Other Features

In terms of network connectivity, the Galaxy S21 supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, and LTE, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of cellular networks. It offers advanced Wi-Fi capabilities with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 for fast and stable connections, and NFC for convenient contactless payments. The device is equipped with an array of sensors, including an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, and barometer, enhancing its functionality in everyday use.

Additional Considerations

The Galaxy S21 does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, which has become a trend in modern smartphones to promote wireless audio solutions. Users should consider investing in wireless earbuds or headphones to fully utilize the stereo speaker setup and advanced audio capabilities of the device.