Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (8GB + 128GB) Review | 197 Data compared

The IGN review characterizes the Samsung Galaxy S21 as a refined, more affordable "second Fan Edition" rather than a groundbreaking flagship. Pros include a compact design with a "contour-cut" camera housing, alongside a variable 48-120Hz display that maintains smooth visuals. Performance is described as perfectly snappy for daily use and gaming, with a 4,000mAh battery lasting a full day. Conversely, the review highlights, as cons, the downgrade to a polycarbonate plastic back, the lack of a microSD card slot, and the removal of a charging brick from the box. The cameras, while reliable, offer minimal innovation over the S20, and the 30x Space Zoom feature is criticized for producing mostly unusable images. The device is ultimately framed as a strong but compromised option for those seeking a smaller Android flagship.

review highlights the G as an accessible, well-rounded flagship that balances high-tier performance with a practical design, despite using a plastic "Glasstic" rear and lacking the premium feel of previous models. Key strengths Hz display, powerful processor, and versatile camera features like Director's View, making it a strong contender in the Android market. However, drawbacks include a p screen, the removal of the charger and microSD slot, and a lack of significant innovation owners. +5

The ITPro review highlights the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G as a robust, high-quality flagship featuring a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 64MP telephoto lens, offering a "submerging" user experience. Key pros include the versatile "Director’s View" camera feature and a durable, grippy design, although the matte plastic back feels less premium to some users. IT ProHowever, the device faces "cons" regarding its, at times, disappointing 16-hour and 39-minute battery life, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, no microSD card slot for expandable storage, and the removal of the charger and earphones from the box. Despite these omissions and the lack of a stylus, the review concludes the Exynos 2100-powered phone is a treat, balancing performance with value.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 is described as a "small" 6.2-inch flagship featuring a comfortable, hand-friendly design, a durable plastic back, and a vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display. While the Snapdragon 888 processor delivers top-tier performance, a significant downside is its inconsistent battery life, lasting over 10 hours on Wi-Fi but draining faster on 5G, combined with the removal of expandable storage and the charger. The camera system offers improved, sharp 3x zoom and better color accuracy, though the 30x "Space Zoom" is not highly regarded.

In his Forbes review, Patrick Moorhead describes the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G as a significant "step forward" that refines the flagship experience while lowering the entry price by roughly $200. The device features a practical, flat 6.2-inch FHD+ display, a sleek "Contour Cut" camera design, and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate as key pros. Performance is driven by 5nm processors, and the camera system offers improved white balance, stable 30x Space Zoom, and software enhancements like Director's View. Key drawbacks, or cons, include the switch to a "Glasstic" (plastic) back and the removal of the microSD card slot for expandable storage. Furthermore, the package excludes a charging brick and headphones, reflecting cost-saving measures. While the 4,000 mAh battery covers average daily use, it may drain quickly under intense 5G usage, and the phone lacks S-Pen support.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is a high-performing, durable smartphone with an Excellent-rated 6.2-inch AMOLED display and a fast Snapdragon 888 processor. Its camera system is highly rated for color accuracy and sharpness, featuring "Director’s View" for simultaneous, multi-lens recording. However, the device lacks premium features found in the Ultra model, such as S Pen support and advanced telephoto zoom capabilities. Key drawbacks include a reduced 30-hour battery life compared to its predecessor, along with the exclusion of a charger and microSD card slot.

The TechRadar review describes the Samsung Galaxy S21 as a "value flagship" making compromises for a lower price, offering powerful performance and a versatile triple-lens camera despite not being the series' best model. Praised for its vibrant 120Hz display and improved fingerprint scanner, the phone includes new camera modes like Director’s View but lacks a microSD slot, a charger in the box, and features a plastic rear and downgraded screen resolution.

The DXOMARK review of the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon) notes its balanced power management but limited battery endurance, typically providing 1.5 to 2 days of use. While offering excellent power efficiency during discharge and standby with minimal drain, it suffers from slow charging speeds and high consumption during intensive tasks like 5G streaming and gaming.

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, as reviewed by Moor Insights & Strategy, is described as a well-rounded flagship phone that successfully balances performance with a more accessible price point compared to earlier models. Key strengths include the integration of the powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset, a high-quality 6.2-inch 120Hz adaptive refresh rate display, a versatile triple-lens camera system with software enhancements like Director’s View, robust 5G connectivity, and a competitive $799 price that offers strong value in the high-end market. The review also notes trade-offs made to achieve the lower price, such as changing the back material from glass to "Glasstic" (reinforced polycarbonate), reducing screen resolution from QHD+ to FHD+, and removing the microSD card slot and the charging brick from the box. More information is available at Moor Insights & Strategy.

HotHardware's review describes the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G as a high-value flagship phone offering a balance of premium features at a lower $699 price point. While its Snapdragon 888 platform provides top performance, a noted con is thermal throttling during heavy use; other drawbacks include a 1080p display (down from previous models) and "softer" battery life under strenuous testing. Key pros highlighted are the device's 6.2-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and an innovative Director's View mode for video. Despite some sacrifices like the lack of a microSD slot and no included charger, the review concludes these are acceptable trade-offs for a well-designed 5G device, ultimately awarding it an "Approved" rating for its value.

CNET describes the Samsung Galaxy S21 as a "no-brainer" upgrade due to its lower price point and refined design. While featuring a high-end Snapdragon 888 chip, a 120Hz AMOLED display, and enhanced camera software, it omits a microSD slot, charger, and headphones, and includes less RAM than its predecessor. The review notes that despite these trade-offs, the S21 successfully makes flagship 5G technology more accessible.

Pocketnow's review describes the Samsung Galaxy S21 as a "real Fan Edition" balancing flagship power with hardware compromises for value, featuring a flat 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate despite a downgraded FHD+ resolution. The device, powered by the Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100, handles tasks well but can heat up, while its camera system benefits from software improvements for impressive daylight photos and improved low-light results. Pros include a lower price, ergonomic design, and a faster fingerprint scanner, while cons are the plastic back, no microSD slot, and the absence of a charger or headphones in the box.